Best Cars for a New Driver

Whether your new driver is buying their first car on their own or you’re doing it together, it’s a huge step. There are arguments for both new and used cars when it comes to teen drivers, but you really can’t go wrong with a later-model used vehicle. Here are some of the best cars for a new driver.
2017 Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is an excellent subcompact car. The cabin is comfortable with high-quality materials, and the rear seat passengers have a good amount of legroom.
Read the rest of this entry »Travel Back in Time in Fort Smith, AR

Fort Smith, Arkansas, has a great and varied history. There are plenty of places where you can travel back the last hundreds of years and learn where we came from as a nation and a people.
Here are some of the best places to discover Fort Smith’s history.
1. Fort Smith Museum of History
The Fort Smith Museum of History is one of the best museums in the area if you want to look into the town’s past.
Read the rest of this entry »6 Smart Moves for Buying a Used Car
Buying a used car can be a stressful situation. But, you could find some great deals if you’re thorough in your search, don’t allow yourself to be rushed, and know what to look for.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you shop for a used car.
- Make a Budget
Before you shop, know your budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend on a used car so you can focus your search on vehicles that fit your price range.
Take a look at your finances, and be reasonable. A car should help you get around, not put you in a horrible financial situation. Once you know your budget, try to stick to it as much as possible, but have a good idea of how much higher you’d consider going. Read the rest of this entry »
5 Basic Car Care Tips Everyone Should Know
When you’re buying a vehicle, you should know basic car care practices. A vehicle is an investment that you want to keep in good condition. Take care of your car, and it will continue to take care of you.
Our team at Rath Auto Resources knows its way around a vehicle. Here are five basic car care tips everyone should know.
- Oil Changes
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but people still get it wrong all the time.
Regular oil changes can prolong your vehicle’s lifespan by years. Not much ruins an engine more than letting oil stay in the engine months after a change is due.
You can also be too careful about your oil changes. You’ve probably been told that you need to change your oil every 3,000 miles. In most cases, this is false. Save your money. Technology has advanced, and most car companies say you can wait as long as 10,000 miles to change your oil. Of course, you should still check your owner’s manual to see what your own vehicle calls for. Read the rest of this entry »
Everyone loves to save a bit of money where they can, but are you doing everything you can to get better gas mileage and reduce spending at the pumps? There are a lot of things you can do to ensure you get the most out of every fill-up.
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Something as simple as making sure your tires are fully inflated throughout the year can lead to marked improvements in gas mileage throughout the course of a year. As tires lose pressure, more surface touches the road, which in turn, increases friction against the road. This makes the engine work harder to fight this friction as you drive. Properly inflated tires help you roll further at sustained speeds, reducing the need to press the gas as much. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Coffee Shops in Fort Smith, Arkansas
A coffee shop is not only a place where you can grab your caffeine fix for the day, but also one where you can meet up with friends or family for a catch-up, take that special first date, or just sit down and relax with a good book. Here are three coffee shops in Fort Smith that provide an attractive setting, good service, and great coffee.
- Fort Smith Company
This new coffee shop in downtown Fort Smith, located in a renovated historic building, is a favorite spot for locals to sit down for a relaxing coffee. The décor is eclectic and hip, and the atmosphere warm and inviting. On the coffee menu are a variety of different choices such as a Lavender Latte, White Chocolate Mocha, and Spiced Thai Latte, all made by expert baristas. You can also enjoy a scone, waffle, crepe, a piece of quiche, or a toasted sandwich if you get peckish. Locals swear by the Turkey, Swiss, and Rosemary Quiche, the Mediterranean Crepe, or the Goat Cheese Toast.
If you feel like having a beer with your lunch or supper, they have locally-brewed craft beer on tap. Fort Smith Company also hosts events such a movie nights and regularly features live music. You will find this coffee shop at 1101 Rogers Avenue. Read the rest of this entry »
When looking for a new car best suited for a family, the two classes that enter the discussion most are SUVs and minivans. While there are many similarities between the two, choosing what’s right for you and your family can be a tough choice. After all, you’ll be driving this vehicle for the next five to 10 years or more. Here’s how to decide whether SUVs or minivans are better for your family.
Overall Value
If economics end up playing a big role in your decision, minivans are a step ahead. Not only do minivans tend to have lower MSRPs for similar feature sets and trim levels, but they don’t vary wildly in upkeep costs compared to SUVs. Minicans get roughly the same gas mileage on average when compared to SUVs, and they have similarly sized tires. Read the rest of this entry »
Best Day Spas in Fort Smith, Arkansas
One of the best ways to get some real rest and relaxation without taking a whole week vacation is to hit up a local day spa. Sometimes, a day at the spa is even better than that aforementioned week-long vacation. Just imagine you and an afternoon of total relaxation. The Fort Smith area has plenty of full-service spas that are perfect for one-day getaways. Head over for a relaxing massage now, and your body will thank you tomorrow!
Fountain Gate Spa and Boutique
This full-service spa and boutique offers a wide selection of massage options to help you relieve muscle tension and get relaxed. They also offer beauty services such as facials, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, and spa packages which offer a combination of services. Read the rest of this entry »
When it’s time to go car shopping, we all have our list of must-haves. Some buyers like cargo room, while others want best-in-class fuel economy. One top priority for most people is safety. Whether your family’s new car is big, compact, or sporty, it’s important to make sure it’s loaded with safety features. Here are four used hatchbacks that provide superior safety features for families on the go.
2017 Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark’s 2017 model earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of Good on the only two exams conducted: moderate overlap front and side crash tests. This organization also gave this model Spark’s LATCH child-seat system their second-highest rating. Read the rest of this entry »
Are you passionate about food? Do words like seared and sauteed get your culinary juices flowing? Then why not take a few cooking classes? There are tons of schools in the region where you can learn a few new tricks in the kitchen. Sharpen your skills with a variety of cooking styles and experiment with fun, new recipes. The best part is you get to eat your creations after the lesson. Try these cooking classes around Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Cuisine Karen
With Karen Gros at the helm, this cooking school, travel hostess, and trip organizer in Eureka Springs offers cooking classes and so much more. Cuisine Karen’s classes range from an exploration of the French classics to seasonal dishes made with only locally sourced ingredients. Read the rest of this entry »


