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Will Santa Bring Used Cars to his “Good” List This Year?

2009/12/20 By jcme Leave a Comment

Probably not – used cars are pretty difficult to get down a chimney, after all – but that doesn’t mean it’s not an ideal gift for this holiday season, for yourself or someone special in your life. Christmas is the season of goodwill and good cheer, and nothing cheers you up like a shiny new used car parked out front, glowing in the Christmas lights.

Even if it weren’t the season of giving, the holidays are actually a great time to buy a used car, since dealerships like ours at Vinart are rolling out the holiday promotions and some of the best prices as we take last year’s cars off the lot.

Get Ahead of the Game – Most folks are so busy during the holidays that they say they’ll put off the car buying until the beginning of the year. That means that there are fewer people out on the lots, and much better deals to be made.

Holiday Deals – We do holiday deals every Christmastime, and those deals can mean huge savings that allow you to get the car you’ve always dreamed of as a Christmas present! Or, if not you, someone you know and love, who is well deserving of the pick-me-up a certified used car can give them. You could give the gift that keeps on giving – and the deals we offer will help make it happen.

End of Season – In addition to those holiday deals, we’re clearing last season’s offerings off the lot to make way for the new 2010 models. This is an ideal time to get a certified used car that’s in great shape, perfectly maintained – just not the brand-spanking new off the conveyer belt model. If you’re simply looking for a great looking car for a great price, and you could care less if it’s the very latest thing, then this is an ideal time to shop.

There are lots of reasons to give a car this holiday season, and the pricing is the least of it. Many people would say it’s an extravagant gift, but having a car at your disposal is one of the most practical necessities of our lives these days. Without reliable transportation, it’s much harder to pick up your children, visit the people you care about, or even get to your job – that is, if you have a job. If you don’t, having wheels can make the difference in getting a great one. After all, if you can’t reliably get to a job in the next town over, then you’re missing out on tons of opportunities that might be perfect for you.

A car is far more than a luxury. It’s a gift that gives year-round. You, and the people you love, deserve that this holiday season. So Merry Christmas to you. We’ll see you on the lot.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car

Is Black Friday a Perfect Day to Buy Used Cars?

2009/11/27 By jcme Leave a Comment

buying a used carIf you have been considering buying a used car lately, there is probably no better time to do it than today. A recent study released by Truecar.com found that Black Friday used car sales offer some of the best bargains of the entire year.

According to the study, you can expect to find an average discount of about 7.1 percent today off the sticker price. During the rest of the year, you can only expect about a five percent discount off the sticker price.

One of the reasons that used car dealers are offering Black Friday discounts is to draw consumers to their facility. With everybody out shopping for iPods and other great deals, dealers need a reason to draw buyers to their lot in hopes of getting a great bargain. In addition to that, we are also coming to the end of the month and used car dealers are trying to reach their “end of the month sales quotas.” As a result, today is like the “perfect storm” to save money on buying used cars.

With all the money you are saving at those department stores, you can afford to put a sizable down payment on a quality used car today. Do it while you can enjoy the above-average discounts!

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: black friday car sales, buying used cars, used cars

What to Do If Your Car is Repossessed

2009/11/27 By jcme Leave a Comment

used carsOne of the unfortunate consequences of financing your used cars is that there is a chance that you fall behind on the payments. Of course, none of us intend for that to happen. We like to make our payments and keep our bills in order. But the circumstances of life often prevent this from happening from time to time and you may find that your financed vehicle is being repossessed. Here are some tips for dealing with a repossession to minimize the problems.

The Bank Does Not Want It
If you are falling behind in your car payments, a good thing to keep in mind is that the financing institution wants your money, not your car. For that reason, they are usually willing to work with you on your payments. At the first sign of trouble, call the financer to work out something short of getting your car repossessed.

They Will Find You
Repossession professionals have the experience and tools needed to find your vehicle. The longer it takes to repo your vehicle, the more the bank gets charged for the job. You can try to hide it, but the repo man will find it eventually and you are only postponing the inevitable and making your situation worse.

When financing your next used car, make sure you can afford it even if a financial hardship occurs. Otherwise, the repo man may come for you.

Filed Under: Auto Financing Tagged With: Auto Financing, auto repos, used cars

Some Things to Consider When Choosing Roadside Assistance

2009/11/27 By jcme Leave a Comment

used carsWhen buying a used car, you will probably be given the option of choosing a roadside assistance plan. Some auto manufacturers offer this service for free or with a warranty plan while there are other companies that offer the service regardless of the brand you choose. But there are some things to consider when making the decision to prevent any surprises when you actually need the service.

Does the service cover the driver or the vehicle?
Some roadside assistance programs only cover the vehicle and not the driver. This means if you break down in a different vehicle, the program does not cover you. AAA, for instance, offers a roadside assistance program that covers the driver and will come out for a service call regardless of whose car the member is driving.

Does the program offer travel services?
Some companies offer travel services when you pay for their roadside service program. This comes in handy when you needs maps and other information before a road trip.

Does the program cover you anywhere?
Before making your final decision on a roadside assistance program, make sure you are covered regardless of where you are. You don’t want to be on a trip in a different state and be stranded because your roadside assistance program only covers you within a certain area.

Filed Under: Auto Repair Tagged With: auto service, pa, used cars

Need an Allentown Auto Repair Shop? Follow These Three Tips

2009/11/20 By jcme Leave a Comment

Is your used car in need of repairs? Or are you just looking for some place to take it for some preventative maintenance? If so, your choices in auto repair shops are endless. Here are some tips to finding one that you are comfortable with for your auto repair needs.

Start Early
One of the best ways to find a good service station for your used cars is to start looking for one before you need it. Check out various service garages around town when you need an oil change, a tire rotation or something else that is minor. That way, when you need something major done, you will have an idea of which mechanic you are comfortable dealing with.

Research from Home
With the beauty of the Internet, you can find consumer reviews about almost any service garage in your area. If a particular facility has a lot of negative comments, take them off your list of possibilities. Look for one that has more positive remarks to expect a better experience.

Talk to the Service Manager
If you are still unsure about a certain facility, take a few minutes to talk to the service manager. Do they take the time to explain things in a way you can understand them? Do they make you feel hurried or do they seem bothered by your questions? Evaluate how they treat you before giving them the keys to your car.

Filed Under: Auto Repair Tagged With: auto repairs, car repairs, nj, used cars

About the Kelley Blue Book Price

2009/11/20 By jcme Leave a Comment

used car dealersIf you have ever shopped for a used car or sold your used car, you are probably familiar with the “book value” of the vehicle. The “book value” refers to the price listed in the Kelley Blue Book, the most respected and used pricing book for used cars in the auto industry. But how much do you actually know about the KBB and its prices? Here is some information that can help you when it comes to getting a good price on financing your next used car.

• The Kelley Blue Book is simply the “suggested” retail price. That means there is some flexibility in the price to take into consideration the circumstances and actual condition of the vehicle.
• The Kelley Blue Book prices are typically higher than the prices that dealers are getting for used cars.
• There is usually a difference between the book’s “asking price” and the actual price that dealers are getting for a certain used car.
• The KBB price is more of a starting point for negotiations when it comes to buying used cars, either privately or at a dealership.
• Remember that the higher listing price may also work in your favor if you have a trade-in when financing your next used car.

Filed Under: Auto Financing Tagged With: financing used cars, kbb, used cars

All about Kelley Blue Book

2009/11/20 By jcme Leave a Comment

used carsWhen buying used cars, the most authoritative resource you can use is the Kelley Blue Book. This is the most recognized pricing guide for the industry when it comes to buying new and used cars. But how much do you actually know about the Kelley Blue Book and how it came to be so important? Here are a few facts about the KBB that you may be interested to know.

• Kelley Blue Book is based in Irvine, California.
• “Blue book” and “blue book value” are trademarked references and they are synonymous with the market value of cars.
• The company began as the Kelley Car Company in Los Angeles in 1918. At the time, it was just another car dealership. It was founded by Les Kelley, a businessman born in Arkansas. He employed his 13-year-old brother, Buster.
• To buy inventory, Kelley would send around a list of various cars and the price he was willing to pay for each car. After awhile, this became a source of pricing for used cars in the LA area.
• The first KBB was published in 1926. It began to flourish as a trusted source for used car prices following World War II.
• KBB’s website was launched in 1995.

Those are just a few facts about the Kelley Blue Book publication and how it came to be. Consult it before buying used cars and you may save hundreds or thousands of dollars on your purchase!

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: buying used cars, kbb, new cars, used cars

More Auto Financing Terms You Should Know

2009/11/13 By jcme Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago, we introduced some basic auto financing terms to help you know what sales representatives and lending institutions are talking about when getting a car loan. Here are some more of those terms that may come up when you decide to finance your next used vehicles.

Book Value
The book value refers to the used car’s actual value in a certain market. Values often change depending on where the vehicle is being sold and the book value also takes into consideration the mileage, age and condition of the vehicle.

Cash Price
This is the actual price of the car if you decide not to finance and just pay for it up front.

Certificate of Title
This is the documentation that proves the ownership of the vehicle. It also lists any lien holders that have a security interest in the vehicle. This certificate is typically issued by the state.

Co-Signer
The co-signer is a person who becomes legally responsible for the payments and financing terms if the person buying the vehicle stops paying. The buyer must find someone who is willing to take on that responsibility if their credit is poor.

Default
This term refers to a borrower’s failure to comply with the financing terms after taking possession of the vehicle. When a buyer defaults, the dealer may seize the vehicle or take other measures to regain their money.

Filed Under: Auto Financing Tagged With: Auto Financing, auto loans, used cars

Buying a Used Car? Join the Crowd!

2009/11/13 By jcme Leave a Comment

Buying used cars seems to be the “thing to do” these days. The number of consumers deciding to invest their money in used cars has caused an inventory shortage for many used cars dealers recently. Dealers have seen an increase in customers and it does not look like that is going to change any time soon. In October alone, sales of used cars increased by 16 percent compared to last year. And some consumers are not even trying to talk dealers down on prices in some cases.

One reason that dealers are running short on used cars is because some manufacturers stopped their leasing programs years ago. That means fewer vehicles are coming back from leases and going into the used car market like they used to do. The “Cash for Clunkers” program also cleared out many dealers and about 700,000 of the trade ins were destroyed rather than resold on the lots.

Another major reason for the shortage is that consumers are looking to the used car market for better deals. Some consumers want to pay cash for their vehicle rather than be stuck with a monthly payment. When they buy a used car, they can do that.

If you’ve been considering a used car, get to your dealer today while there are still some available!

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: Buying a Used Car, used car dealers, used cars

Don’t Forget the Insurance When Buying Your Next Car

2009/11/13 By jcme Leave a Comment

used carsWhen many consumers are financing their next used car, they often compare the monthly payments to their paychecks. They then look for the most expensive car they can afford. Unfortunately, they do not consider other auto-related expenses like maintenance, insurance and fuel. If you are like this, we would like to offer some ways to save money on your auto insurance so you can afford more car.

Ask for Discounts
Your auto insurance agent is not going to go through all the available discounts and see if you qualify for them. That’s your job. Ask for a list of possible discounts and bring the agent’s attention to the ones for which you qualify. You could end up saving hundreds of dollars a year.

Purchase a “Low-Profile” Car
When shopping for a used car, the vehicle you choose will play a role in your insurance premiums. Instead of looking for something flashy, find a “low profile” use car to save on insurance. Things like four doors instead of two and two-wheel drive instead of four-wheel drive help save on auto insurance.

Shop Around
All auto insurance companies are not equal and neither are their prices. You may be surprised how much prices can differ once you start calling around. You could save hundreds of dollars a year for the same coverage just be choosing one auto insurance company over another.

These are just a few things you can do when financing your used cars. These tips can either help you afford a better car or put more money back in your pocket each month.

Filed Under: Auto Financing Tagged With: Auto Financing, nj dealers, used cars
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