Another job well done by the team at Russell & Smith Honda!

"We live in Clear Lake and used the internet to shop the price after we found the car we were looking for. Ali Fard from Russell and Smith emailed an accurate internet quote with all fees, a true drive out cost. We did not know much about Russell and Smith so we used his quote to see if Clear Lake Honda could beat the deal. So all dealerships around would call and followup with us to see what they could do to earn your business. Well Clear Lake was very hands off and I thought that's great they are not getting aggressive to get the deal. So we proceeded to call our sales person at Honda Clear Lake to get the price and car we wanted. First I emailed all the specifics and did not hear anything from the sales person. A day went by and I thought well I will call, sales persons phone was turned off and left a message in the morning around 9 am. Knowing we wanted to buy the car this afternoon it was around 1:30 and I had not heard anything and so I called again and explained to the sales person we were ready to buy the car they had showed us. I asked if they had seen my email and they said no they don't even check email. Now I am getting mad, because if you do not check email do not put this on your card. So I thought I am really working hard to place my business with Honda Clear Lake and thought there were 2 other dealers David McDavid and Ali at Russell and Smith Honda that were trying to get my business. So 1 call Ali answered his phone and he emailed quickly too. So Ali had told me how Russell and Smith was ranked in Dealerrater.com I thought that he was very informative and he gave me a quote and easy to get a hold of so we went to Russell and Smith and worked with Ali the Internet Manager. Ali was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I have bought some cars, but I tell you what, Ali made our experience pleasant and worth while. No Haggle, very friendly, and he knew EVERYTHING about the Honda Pilot, and explained all the features about the Pilot, and walked us through all the settings of the navigation, all feature for about 40 minutes. His 40minutes probably saved us a weekend looking at the manual to figure out how to setup this vehicle up. Thanks Ali. He was great. Go Visit Russell & Smith it will be worth while. The staff that I interacted with were very friendly and GREAT to work with. Looking at Dealerrater for the first time (after I bought my car) no wonder they are Ranked #1. They know how to make the buying experience pleasant, informative, and they truly will do what it takes to earn your business. Ali is the best and the next Honda I will buy it will be from Russell and Smith, and if Ali is still selling cars he will be getting my business because of his know how, friendly attitude, and willingness to take care of the customer. Ali keep up the great work. You were great. Go Visit Ali Fard at Russell and Smith, he is great. By the Way we also worked with Santos in Finance and he was pleasant and great to work with too. Thanks Santos" - Rlhawkins2005

"Today I bought a 2012 Honda Accord EX-L V6. My salesman was Ray Huddleston and I must say Ray went above and beyond to make sure my car buying experience was beyond exceptional. His great service began with the no nonsense quote I received. Ray provided a great quote and never waivered on that agreement. Ray's great service continued when I picked a car and then suddenly changed my mind. Ray was very patient and was genuinely concerned with making sure I was happy. I normally do not trust car dealers, but Ray changed all that today. He truly knows what it means to provide great customer service and understands that honesty and service will keep customers coming back and asking for Ray. As long as Ray is selling cars, he will be my go to salesman. I would recommend this dealership and particularyly this salesman, Ray Huddleston, to anyone looking to have a great car buying experience." - Paula Roberts

Women Choose Russell & Smith Honda!

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by Delia Passi, CEO of WomenCertified, Inc.

Women have spoken and because they have resoundingly endorsed Russell & Smith Honda, the dealership has earned the Women's Choice Award for Outstanding Customer Experience by WomenCertified®. This honor is a result of Russell & Smith Honda' continual commitment by all levels of leadership and staff to give women and all customers a concierge level of service and it has paid off! Russell & Smith Honda is the only Honda dealership in Texas to receive this award.

Women are a force to be reckoned with in today's economy. In 2010, Time magazine referred to it as the Sheconomy because of women's spending power. Did you know that women in Texas are opening businesses at twice the rate of men? Or that more women than men are graduating from our local colleges? Or that more women than men are employed by our local businesses? Women purchase 51% of all new cars and influence the purchase of 85% or more. With their increasingly important role in the economy, it is imperative for every business to strive to deliver an outstanding customer experience to women and to men.

 WomenCertified, a Hollywood, Florida based international company, has been an advocate for the best possible consumer experience for women for the past decade. We have worked with businesses, large and small, across the continent to help them serve their customers with a level of attention, respect and consideration that meets the high standards of women. And when you meet the needs of women you will exceed the needs of men in the process.

 We partnered with the Wharton School's Jay H. Baker Retail Initiative to conduct the first ever gender based retail study, entitled "Men Buy, Women Shop." The study revealed that men and women experience shopping entirely differently. According to Wharton researchers, "Women think of shopping in an inter-personal, human fashion and men treat it as more instrumental. It's a job to get done." What applies to shoes, applies to automobiles.

 In addition to guiding dealer personnel in how to give men and women the experience that works best for them, WomenCertified established the Women's Choice Award for Outstanding Customer Experience in order to identify those dealerships that have excelled in meeting the needs of their women customers, The award is based on a survey conducted with the dealership's female customers and Russell & Smith Honda received one of the highest recorded scores amongst dealerships across the nation for excellence in customer experience.

 So what does this mean for you? It means that you can expect an extraordinary experience when you shop for a vehicle at a dealership that earns the Women's Choice Award. We are excited to have such an exceptional example of customer service in our backyard. Congratulations, Russell & Smith Honda.

Thanks, Ray! You are an asset to our team.

"I would highly recommend this dealership, working with Ray Huddleston through the internet sales dept was as easy as it could be. Once arriving he really went the extra step to show us the exact CR-V we were interested in and gave us a no nonsense price. I would buy again from this dealership and from Ray without hesitation." -Josiah

Check out this video of what customers have to say about their Crosstours and look at what's new in the 2013 concept!

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us Shirley!

"I was very nervous going in. I had not bought a new car in 14 years and I knew things had changed alot. I did a lot of research, educating myself on how to get the best deal possible so I was well armed when I got to Russell and Smith. I vowed I would not be taken advantage of! My salesman, John, and the sales manager, Dino, were great! We worked together to come up with the best price possible (other dealerships were unable to matcth their prices!) and I drove out that night in a brand new Honda Accord! Love the car, love the dealership, love the employees. It was a wonderful experience and I have recommended friends and family." - shirley77025

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"This dealer takes the dread out of new car shopping...Russell & Smith Honda and its employees are especially quick to respond and in a professional manner!" -teedeejay

 

Read this review and more great feedback on DealerRater.

We love hearing from you!

"This dealer takes the dread out of new car shopping...Russell & Smith Honda and its employees are especially quick to respond and in a professional manner!" -teedeejay

 

Read this review and more great feedback on DealerRater.

Honda Earns Edmunds.com Best Retained Value Award for the Second Consecutive Year

Honda has captured the 2012 Best Retained Value Award for the second consecutive year from Edmunds.com. Honda was named the top non-luxury brand in the Best Retained Value Awards for maintaining the highest projected residual value after five years of ownership as a percentage of value when new.

"Honda's focus on retail sales has always benefitted our most important client: Honda customers," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "This valuable award from Edmunds.com is recognition of Honda's unending mission of providing true value to customers - one that extends well beyond the showroom."

"Honda has long had a reputation for dependable used vehicles, and that is reflected in today's booming used car market," said Joe Spina, director of remarketing at Edmunds.com. "Honda's family of vehicles continues to expand the company's status as one of the best values available to car buyers today."

For more information about the Edmunds.com Best Retained Value Awards, visit http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/best-retained-value-cars.html.

Courtesy: Honda Media Newsroom

Thanks to the author of this short and sweet review!

"I had a great car buying experience on April 19, 2012. The salesman, Danny and the finance manager, Roberto were professional, helpful, friendly, and eager to please." -Mary LB

From oil changes to brake replacements to complete suspension overhauls, our highly qualified service specialists will keep your vehicle running and driving like new.

Schedule an appointment with us today!

Great job team on these outstanding reviews!

"Roberto was also outstanding and professional and helpful. He provided hassle-free and quick financial matters." -majumder

 

Read this full review and more great feedback on DealerRater.

Way to go, John!

"John Huffman represented Russell Smith in a professional way. He was patient, quick with answers,very pleasant,and aimed to please." -lccsew

 

Read this great feedback and more on DealerRater by clicking here.

Watch as Honda Dealers across the country voluntarily reduce energy use, develop a water conservation plan and implement a recycling program in pursuit of the Honda Environmental Leadership Award

 

We love hearing from our customers!

"Overall the experience was very comfortable and we would definitely do business here again." -Sarah H.

 

Read this review and more by clicking here.

As if you needed more reasons to love the 2012 Honda Fit, check out our most recent blog post!

2012 Honda Fit Awards & Accolades

Monday, 16 April, 2012

Katie Smith

View Our 2012 Honda Fit Inventory

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the Fit a "2012 Top Safety Pick." IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance in front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. To earn Top Safety Pick for 2012, a vehicle must have good ratings in all four Institute tests.

The Honda Fit claimed ALG's 2012 Residual Value Award for "Best Sub Compact Car." This marks the second year in a row that the Fit has driven away with this prestigious award. Residual value, or the value a car is predicted to retain over time, is an important consideration for car buyers when comparing vehicles.

The Honda Fit is J.D. Power and Associates' "Highest Ranked Sub-Compact Car in Initial Quality" in their 2011Initial Quality Study ^SM (IQS). The IQS named the highest performers within the first 90 days of vehicle ownership. Needless to say, a trophy like this deserves a prime spot in the trophy case.

Visit the J.D. Power and Associates website here to view the complete study.

Honda Fit received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among sub-compact cars in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality Study^SM. Study based on responses from 73,790 new-vehicle owners, measuring 234 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in February-May 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

The 2012 Fit continues to impress, this time taking top honors in the seven-car $16,000 Subcompact Shootout. The experts at Cars.com, USA Today, and MotorWeek agree: the Fit is the clear leader based on gas mileage, practicality, comfort and fun.

The Fit has, once again, placed first in Car and Driver's latest comparison test of sub-compact cars. Praising the Fit for its excellent visibility and ride quality, Car and Driver also loved its sporty nature and versatility, stating, "With its informative steering, quick shifter, and stern roll control, the Fit devoured our slalom at the highest speed? the Fit also managed to swallow the most cargo in this group." Download the whole article here.

The 2012 Honda Fit was named Best Resale Value for a Subcompact Car by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. Depreciation (or loss of value) is typically a car buyer's primary expense during ownership. Taking resale value into account can help drivers save money in the long run. Kelley Blue Book^® Residual Values are projected based on market conditions for each vehicle, competition within vehicle segments, expectations of the future economy and combined experience of Kelley Blue Book's residual analysts.

Vehicle's projected resale value is specific to the 2012 model year. For more information, visit Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc.

"The Fit is not just a triumph over other small cars, it's a triumph of engineering." This strong statement comes from the editors of Car and Driver magazine, explaining why the Fit has once again made it to the 10Best list. In fact, the Fit has made the list for six consecutive years-every year that it has been available in the United States.

Honda has a history of environmental leadership dating back to a time when green was simply a color. Several decades later, we are proud to carry that tradition along, and be recognized as the country's Greenest Automaker by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)-for the fifth time in a row[1]. 

[1] Based on a Union of Concerned Scientists analysis of fleetwide global warming and smog emissions from 2008 model year vehicles

Big thanks to Jack for this awesome review.

"Great place to buy your next car. Great dealership with friendly and professional sales people. Everyone was great to work with. Fro the managers to the sales staff everyone greeted us and made it an easy process. No gimmicks or hidden fees to worry about. GREAT DEAL GREAT SERVICE. We will be back." -Jack

Linkin Park and Incubus Co-Headline 2012 Honda Civic Tour

Tour to Support New Linkin Park Album 'Living Things'

Honda announced today that multi-platinum alternative rock bands Linkin Park and Incubus will be co-headlining the 2012 Honda Civic Tour. The tour will kick off August 11th in Bristow, Virginia at the Jiffy Lube Live amphitheatre. In addition to the two headliners, the Civic Tour will also feature the Grammy®-nominated electrorock band Mutemath. 

Tickets go on-sale to the general public the weekend of April 27, but those who pre-order the new Linkin Park album, “Living Things” through their website will be able to buy tickets for the tour beginning April 24. Additionally, Linkin Park fan club members will be able to buy tickets starting April 23 and will have the opportunity to gain early access to the venues and are eligible for meet and greets with the band.

Now entering its 11th year, the Honda Civic Tour has provided music fans with an amazing concert experience at an affordable price. Continuing a Civic Tour tradition, fans will have an opportunity to check out Linkin Park’s customized and autographed Honda Civic Si Coupe and Honda CBR250R motorcycle, which will be displayed at every tour stop.

For pre-sale information, “like” the Honda Civic Tour Facebook page and visit www.hondacivictour.com to receive tour news, sign up for email updates and see the entire Civic Tour schedule.

Honda Civic Tour Dates:

United States:

8/11 Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live*  

8/12 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena* 

8/14 Boston, MA @ Comcast Center

8/17 Camden, NJ @ Susquehana Bank Center

8/19 Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

8/21 Detroit, MI @ The Palace

8/22 Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center

8/24 Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank

8/25 Indianapolis, IN @ Klipsch Music Center

8/27 Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Center

8/28 Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Pavillion

8/30 Denver, CO @ Comfort Dental Amphitheatre

9/5   Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome

9/7   Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

9/10 San Diego, CA @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre

*Incubus will not appear at this event

Source: hondanews.com

Thanks for this great 5-star review!

"My car needed replacing desperately. I went in to the showroom to see what offers they had and what I could do in order to come away with a safer car. I was met immediately by Ali who was very open and friendly. He took time to go through every option of car that would suit my lifestyle and worked with me to ensure that I got what turned out to be a fantastic deal. There was no hidden agenda and I didn't get the feeling that he just wanted my commission. I would recommend this showroom, and in particular this sales rep, to anyone. Santos was my finance rep and he really went the extra mile for me. Being originally from England and over here with a permanent resident card my credit score was non existent. This would usually mean that my name would not be on the lease but with Santos' hard work and ingenuity he got me on and I came away a very satisfied customer!" -coogcoach

Save big on maintenance at Russell & Smith Honda!

More amazing feedback for Russell & Smith Honda.

"Service was great - Overall, the staff (Micah and Chris) were very accomodating in providing us the best deals they could. Santos is an awesome negotiator. He is great in laying out all the pros and cons for you in terms of purchasing a car. This guy here is honest, and as much as he wants to make a sale, he also cares for your circumstances. His #1 trophy in the office was not a joke - he is THAT great. It is rare to encounter such a great sales person - I was truly impressed." -asian88

Here are some fun local day trips to do with family courtesy of Russell & Smith Honda!

Five Kid-Friendly Day Trips in the Texas Gulf Coast

The array of kid-friendly day trips along the Texas Gulf Coast is staggering. With a little research, parents and grandparents can banish the statement “I’m bored.”

Splash into sea life at the Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi allows visitors to get up close and personal with aquatic wildlife. At the aquarium’s Living Shores touch pools, you can pick up creatures like hermit crabs, sea urchins and lightning whelk. At Stingray Flats, touch stingrays and even sharks. Visitors enjoy both indoor and outdoor exhibits, and the H-E-B Splash Park is a zero-depth water play area where kids can let off some steam. Visit www.texasstateaquarium.org, or call 800-477-GULF.

Find a variety of fun at Moody Gardens

Moody Gardens on Galveston Island is an amusement park that features multiple attractions sure to please kids of all ages. Inside the Aquarium Pyramid and the Rainforest Pyramid, you’ll connect with Squirt, the famous blind sea lion, as well as monkeys and sloths (viewed from a canopy-level exhibit). Then, head to the MG 3D Theater. At six stories, the theater’s screen is the largest in Texas. Afterward, relax on a 45-minute cruise around Offats Bayou on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. Visit www.moodygardens.org, or call 800-582-4673.

Life’s a beach on Galveston Island

Sun, surf and sand can be found at Galveston’s Stewart Beach, where family-oriented events such as volleyball tournaments take place regularly. Rent an umbrella and a chair, or visit the snack bar and souvenir shop. Stewart Beach is open daily during the spring and summer. Beach hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends. Admission is $8 per car per entry ($16 for oversize vehicles). Learn more at www.galveston.com/stewartbeach/.>

Hang 10 with the South Padre Surf Company

Adventure awaits at the South Padre Surf Company, which offers year-round surfing lessons, surf camps and rentals. Full-time surf instructors Rachel and Gene Gore will meet you in Isla Blanca Beach Park at the south end of South Padre Island. The Gores hold one-hour lessons each day year-round. They welcome any new surfer, regardless of age or physical ability. They
teach in shallow water where the bottom is sand, not rock or reef, so you can stand up if needed. Learn more at www.southpadresurfcompany.com.

Sneak in some learning at the Children’s Museum of Houston

The Children’s Museum of Houston bills itself as “A Playground for Your Mind,” and within its 14 galleries, children will find many exhibits that pique their curiosity. The new Balancing Act exhibit is both hands-on and feet-on. Through interactive exhibits, visitors explore how objects balance and how the human body maintains balance. Other galleries include TotSpot, Invention Convention and Kidtropolis. Visit www.cmhouston.org, or call 713-522-1138.

From South Padre Island to the Louisiana border, the Texas Gulf Coast is a paradise for children, parents and grandparents.

Great job, team, on another wonderful 5-star review!

"Enjoyed working with all the individuals at Russell & Smith. Everyone was very friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. I received a fair price on the Honda Civic and would highly recommend my family and friends to this dealership." -mcwilliams

2013 Honda Crosstour Concept Debuts At 2012 New York Auto Show

The Honda Crosstour Concept has been revealed at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The 2012 Honda Crostour Concept comes with a whole set of exterior styling tweaks to the luxurious mid-size CUV that is all set to go on sale this fall. Honda says the 2013 Crosstour has been developed for active consumers and the new V-6 engine will feature enhanced fuel economy.

The 2013 Honda Crosstour Concept features more aggressive and athletic front end along with new contrasting moldings on the lower door garnish. There’s also a new grille that helps clean up the front end. The rear gets stressed horizontals to highlight the concept’s width. Moving to its interior, the 2013 Crosstour Concept offers luxury at its peak and the vehicle will see more modification for new model including heavily revised trim materials, the addition of an 8-inch, in-dash information display, keyless ignition, and steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters on V-6 models.

One of the two powetrains offered by the new Honda Crosstour features a re-engineered and more powerful 3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine while the other is a 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine. Beside, the vehicle will feature a 6-speed automatic transmission and make use of Honda Variable Cylinder Management technology to attain class-leading V-6 fuel efficiency.

The Honda Crosstour also introduces numerous new safety features to earn top scores in the federal government’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The next Crosstour will be available with Honda’s Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) technology. First introduced in 2009, the Crosstour persist as one of the most versatile choices in the midsize crossover segment.

“Fueled by a combination of versatility, luxury, and efficiency, owners have demonstrated remarkable devotion to the Honda Crosstour,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “The 2013 Crosstour Concept shows how Honda will strengthen the styling and add even more content to one of the most efficient offerings in the class,” he added.

 

Courtesy of Nitrobahn.

We deeply appreciate this great feedback!

"Our experience at Russell Smith Honda was fantastic. Ray was extremely helpful in answering our questions and making sure we got exactly what we were looking for. I would recommend Russell Smith to anyone looking for a new or used Honda." -CaseyLC

Not sure if it's time for a new battery? Stop in to Russell & Smith Honda for a free check!

Thanks for this outstanding review.

"Russell and Smith Honda provided the kind of hassle free buying experience I want combined with suitably competitive pricing and a helpful attitude. They did not overly push add-ons that I mdo not need or desire." -GeoffDale

Another awesome review for Russell & Smith Honda!

"I just traded in my 2009 4-door Honda Accord for a 2012 2-door Coupe and love it!! As usual, Jack went out of his way to help me in every aspect of the deal. He is professional, kind and caring. Micah was also wonderful in helping me and explaining everything about the new car. Ami did my financing and she as well was extremely professional, kind, answered all my questions and was FAST!! I wouldn't go anywhere else and will definitely refer this dealership and the people who work there to anyone. Thanks to all of you for helping me!
Sincerely, Lindy Moxley"

Run alongside some of the runners from the 2012 Honda LA Marathon.

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We deeply appreciate your feedback.

"I will recommend this dealership and the staff to everyone, for years to come." -lorifoster

Read this full review and more on DealerRater.

The Really Big Sales Event is really close to ending. Visit Russell & Smith Honda for really big deals on your favorite Honda.

It’s big. It’s real. And it’s here. If you’ve been waiting for a really good deal on your favorite Honda, come in today and check out our great deals.

Really BIG Sales Event.

We have great deals right now on our featured pre-owned inventory! Take a look here or come see us to learn more.

Click here for details and to see all of our featured vehicles.

Big thanks to our team for giving this customer a great experience!

"Our 2002 Honda Accord broke down after a few years good use (we bought it second hand), so we took it too the shop to have a diagnostics run. The service department was excellent at getting the information I needed to me as quickly as possible. They were very up front about the cost of repair, the cost of parts, and the cost of services. We decided that we did not want to put the money into the car when we did not see a lot of longetivity left in the vehicle, so we shopped around to buy a new car. We ended up returning to the Honda dealership and we were extremely happy with our experience. We were not ready to spend the money on a new car, but the dealership made us very comfortable and were up front about the price. From start to finish, the experience took less than an hour. Compared to other Honda dealerships in Houston, this was by far the best. We had horrible experiences at Sterling McCall in Humble, so it was refreshing to be treated so well. Thanks!" -Elizabeth A.