What Should I Ask When Buying A Car?

Buying a car is a big decision that requires much consideration. We want our customers to feel informed and confident when purchasing a vehicle from our dealership. Below are some questions you should ask when you come in to buy a car.

What is the term (length) of the loan and what is my interest rate?

What mandatory fees do I have to pay?

Does this car make me happy?

Can I have a test drive?

Has the car been damaged?

What's the warranty coverage? Are there any perks like free maintenance?

How much is the car after fees and licensing?

Are there any aftermarket parts or alarms on the car?

How many miles are on the car?

Can you deliver the car? (internet shoppers)

Save Money on Your Car!

Proper maintenance is key to saving hundreds or thousands of dollars on your car. There are very easy things to check once you are aware. Provided is a short list from consumerist.com which goes over the basic parts that need to be checked, how to check them, and how much it costs or could cost you if you don't. Click here to read the article: http://bit.ly/1nwb9S7

Buying vs. Leasing in Bullet Points

Disadvantages of Car Leasing

• You don't own the car at the end of the lease.
• Your mileage is limited to a set amount, typically 12,000-15,000 miles a year (excess miles are paid for at the lease termination).
• Lease contracts are confusing.
• Leasing is more expensive in the long run (as opposed to buying and driving until the wheels fall off).
• Wear-and-tear charges can add up (paid at lease termination).
• It's costly to terminate a lease early if your driving needs change.

Advantages of Car Buying

• Pride of ownership — you can modify your car as you please.
• Car buying is more economical in the long run unless you buy and trade-in regularly.
• No penalty for driving excess mileage
• Increased flexibility — you can easily sell the car whenever you want.

Disadvantages of Car Buying

• Higher down payment is generally required.
• Higher monthly payments
• You're responsible for maintenance costs once the warranty expires.
• Trade-in or selling hassles when you're ready to get rid of your car
• More of your ready cash is tied up in a car, which depreciates, rather than an investment that appreciates.

Look to Edmunds.com for more valuable information and analysis!

Car Jargon Everyone Should Know

ABS

An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a safety feature that helps you to avoid skidding when braking suddenly. An ABS prevents your wheels from locking, allowing you to maintain control of the car.

Alloy Wheels

A generic term used to describe any non-steel road wheel. The most common alloy wheels are cast aluminum. Technically, an alloy is a mixture of two or more metals. These wheels are known for their light weight and strength.
 

Chassis

The chassis is the metal frame that holds all the main parts of car together.

Differential

The gear assembly connected to the drive shaft that permits the wheels to turn at different speeds when going around a corner, while transmitting power from the drive shaft to the wheel axles.
 

Four-wheel drive

A four-wheel drive system allows the engine to power all four wheels simultaneously, instead of the standard two wheels.

Hybrid engine

A hybrid engine is a combination of a traditional petrol engine and a zero-emission electric engine. The car runs off the electric engine at low speeds and when extra power is needed.

RPM

RPM stands for Revs per minute, and measures how hard your engine is working. If your RPM is high, you know your engine is working hard.

Spoiler

An aerodynamic device, normally on the rear of the vehicle, that changes the direction ofairflow in order to reduce lift aerodynamic drag. A spoiler either reduces drag or create a downward force on the car. It is called a spoiler because it "spoils" the normal air flow over the car.

Suspension

A car’s suspension is a system of springs and other parts that sits between the wheels and the frame, allowing the wheels to move independently and absorb the shock of any bumps or unevenness in the road.

Torque

In technical terms, torque is defined as a force used to turn or rotate things. In a car, torque is a measurement of the turning power of the vehicle.

Transmission

The transmission in a car is the gearbox and other mechanical parts that drive the wheels and allow the engine to accelerate through a wide range of different speeds.

Tread

Tread refers to the patterns cut into the rubber on your car’s tyres. Tread helps provide grip on the road, particularly in wet weather.