In This Issue:

An Important Message to Our Customers Clark Howard, the Economist, on Certified Used Cars Courtesy Shuttle Service How about a Lowell's gift certificate? Do you have a question about car repair or maintenance? Lowell's Toyota Tidbits Were you pleased with your recent visit to Lowell's? Share a Recipe Advertisements & Self-Promotions

Greetings,

This is a continuation from our Fall 2007 newsletter in which I wrote about my Navy experience as a Mechanist Mate, then how I was off to college to collect a degree in psychology as well as a wife, Betty.

So, diploma in hand, I join the real working world.  My first “real” job was as an insurance adjuster, an interesting job but one in which I felt I had no future.  Then I was on to Parker Seal, first as a supervisor, and then I was promoted to process control engineer - a nice title.  Parker gave me the experience of supervising about 35 middle-aged women and 15 men, as well as dealing with unions. 

Muncie Buick was my next and final stop. Tommy Muncie was a great boss - he hired me as service manager.  Basically Tommy said, “the service department is in the back, go manage”.  The first week at Muncie was a real fast learning experience.  On Friday of that week three service department employees quit over, let’s say, a disagreement with my management style.  All three walked off after lunch, leaving me with a load of work that had to be completed by 5:00.  So, there I was, dress shirt and tie, working on cars again.  Things settled down after that week, and I stayed at Muncie for four and a half years.  I had good pay, a brand new Buick to drive, a vacation every year, and a great boss.

After leaving Muncie’s we opened Lowell’s.  To read the story of Lowell’s, visit our web site under Our History. 

 Thank you all for your support over the years, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

Lowell 

Clark Howard, the Economist, on Certified Used Cars We've all heard the term "certified used car," but what exactly does that mean? It's really a marketing term that statistics show can inflate the price of a vehicle by several thousand dollars.  But the term itself may or may not have any real meaning from dealership to dealership.  Minnesota has decided that it's heard enough horror stories about people buying certified used cars and getting lemons.  The Land of 10,000 Lakes has passed a law to define what "certified used car" should mean.  There are basically 3 criteria:  The certified used vehicle must have a warranty; the dealer must believe it's in good shape; and it can't have been in a bad wreck.  Clark never goes through a week of the year when someone doesn't tell him a lemon horror story about a certified used vehicle.  So be Clark Smart when buying, and have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle.                 Back to Contents

Lowell's Gift Certificates

Are you trying to decide what to get that special someone for a birthday or other special occasion?  How about a gift certificate for repair work at Lowell's?  We can print one (or more) out for you, good for any amount you'd like.  They make an ideal gift for a family member or co-worker who drives a Toyota or Lexus.  Just give us a call at (859) 233-1173 or email us if you'd like to purchase one.

Share a Recipe
A regular feature in Lowell's Toyota Times

This edition's recipe was sent in by Amy Nigoff, Lowell and Betty's daughter.


Pan-Fried Fish with Chipotle Butter

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 tbsp finely chopped canned chipotle in adobo sauce
2 tsp adobo sauce
1 1/2 lbs fish (any delicate, flaky fish would work great - tilapia, cod, flounder, snapper)
Flour to dredge fish
Lime wedges

Combine butter with chopped chipotle and adobo sauce.  You may want to use a glove when chopping up the chipotle, as the heat from the chile can hurt sensitive skin.

Lightly dredge patted-dry fish in flour.  Pan fry in oil until brown and crispy and cooked through.  Cook fish in batches if necessary and add oil as needed.  Serve fish with a dollop of chipotle butter and a lime wedge.  Serves 4.

Goes great with other Mexican themed food items!


If you have a recipe you'd like to share, send it to us at lowells@iglou.com.

Lowell

Back to Contents

   Don't miss our "MONTHLY SPECIAL" at www.chooselowells.com.

Back to Contents

______________________________________________________________________________________________
Lowell's Toyota Times is published by Lowell's Bluegrass Automotive.  Opened in 1979, Lowell's is the the only independent repair shop in the Bluegrass specializing in the maintenance and repair of Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles.

To have your name removed from our mailing list, send us an email by clicking here.  Just type "remove" in the subject line.