So you need a new car, but with so many choices out there the task of narrowing down your list can be daunting. Fortunately, there are some ways to help narrow down your list. For starters, listen to the Car Pro Show with Jerry Reynolds who doles out advice to radio callers each and every week. We’d also recommend checking out our new car, SUV and truck reviews.
Another way is to check out top vehicle lists. We like this one: Autotrader’s Best New Cars for 2020. Twelve vehicles make the Read More
You have heard me say on the air often that some vehicles are better bought as used, and the opposite is also true, depending on new vehicle incentives. You also know I talk a lot about good resale value and vehicles with poor values.
The good folks at research firm iSeeCars looked at six million transactions in late 2017 and early 2018 to see what the differences were monetarily. The data is interesting and I believe the numbers still bear out today.
What can you say? You may be on lockdown; your dealership may be on lockdown. However, you don’t want to miss out on the incredible deals being offered right now? No problem. Our dealers have totally transitioned to online sales and home or office delivery.
THE OUTLOOK FOR APRILIf history repeats, the incentives will take a hard drop next Wednesday. They always peak at the end of a quarter and drop immediately. Most of the Japanese-based automakers close Read More
Our lives have been deeply impacted and overwhelmed by COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus. Restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and thousands of other businesses have been affected. So, what is going on with car dealerships?
We have some amazing dealers all over the country and I talk to many of them often, especially since the Coronavirus threat started. One thing people outside the industry don’t seem to understand: Car dealers are the most Read More
Like most things in life, the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. The same is true when you get your car ready to use as a trade-in. I will tell you some things you need to do, and also things not to do, which in this case, is equally important.
Remember the first time you saw your spouse or significant other? He or she caught your eye, and it is no different at a dealership. First impressions of your car are critically important unless you have a real junker, then it Read More
Dodge is extending its Power Dollars promotion to its 2020 model-year Dodge muscle cars. As of March 3, 2020, U.S. customers who buy any 2020 Dodge Challenger or Dodge Charger model will receive $10 per horsepower cash allowance.
The promotion ranges from SXT and GT models with Pentastar V-6 efficiency and available all-wheel-drive (AWD) to the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan Read More
It is not uncommon these days for families to have a five passenger SUV or sedan with the need for putting three child seats in the second row.
This, of course, means that not only does the seat have to be wide enough, but that there are three sets of LATCH connections or lower tethers there. also. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.
At this time, there are only 20 vehicles that fit the criteria in alphabetical order:
All the years I was a Ford dealer, it became clear to me at some point that the perception of consumers was that Ford Motor Company and my Ford dealership were one and the same. The truth is, that could not be further from the truth.
In a nutshell, automakers produce vehicles. Dealers sell them to the public, in every case except Tesla, it builds cars and sells them direct to customers, but this is the lone rare exception.
When a customer had a severe problem with a car, I would have to Read More
It’s that time of year when thousands of people will take off the cap and gown and head out into the world. For many, a new car is on the horizon, but you could be vulnerable without doing your homework. If you are graduating you’ll want to read this information. If you know someone who is graduating, please feel free to share this:
You’ve studied hard for 4 or 8 years, possibly longer. You have sweated and fretted over exams. You pulled all-nighters trying to study for that exam you Read More
I hear from listeners all the time who can no longer afford their car payments. Unfortunately, by the time they reach out to me, it is often too late. Here's what to do if it happens to you. Read More
I know some of you think Consumer Reports hung the moon when it comes to evaluating products. I personally don’t know how their reviews and info is outside the world of cars. However, I often find myself at odds with its automotive opinions.
One issue for me is part of the criteria of the Top 10 vehicle picks is “predicted reliability.” I’m not sure how that works unless someone has a crystal ball.
I also find them to be wishy-washy as hell. For instance, almost a year ago to the Read More
By nature, we are a giving group of people. We really want to help people when they are down on their luck; it is what we do as Americans, right? So you have a friend or relative who asks you to “just co-sign” a car loan so he or she can get around, take the kids to daycare, and get to work. It sounds easy and you believe he or she will do the right thing. Sadly, too often, these scenarios play out with a loss of money and a loss of the relationship.
Each week, I hear from listeners who’ve been thwarted by making classic car buying mistakes, without even knowing it. So here is a handy list of 8 common mistakes people make and tips on how you can avoid them. #1: Not Trusting Your Gut Mistake number one is not trusting your gut. This one’s easy to avoid. Trust your instincts, you have them for a reason. If something doesn’t feel right, either with the business or salesperson, Read More
I preach it on the radio regularly, but it happens way too often. People go out and buy themselves a new vehicle, and within 72 hours they realize they don’t like it or it doesn’t fit their family, or some other issue. It is called buyer’s remorse, and in spite of what people think, there is no “cooling off” period in any state in America. When you drive away, you own it. Usually when someone regrets his or her purchase, it is because he or she didn’t take a proper test drive.
Some people refuse to take a test drive. I believe the test drive of a new or used vehicle is a very important step in the car buying process. I cannot imagine spending money on shoes without trying them on, and I sure cannot imagine making your second-largest purchase without driving what you are buying. Here are some tips for doing it properly. Read More
The craigslist.com ad read: 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, LOADED, EXCELLENT CONDITION, CLEAN TITLE, SPECIAL OFFER, MUST SEE. The listing appeared under private sellers-no dealers, the place when people feel like they can find the best deal and the best cars. This Houston, TX listing is clearly a car dealer, trying to mislead people into thinking they are buying from a private seller. How do I know this? Read More
It has been a hot topic on the air lately, people worrying about turbochargers. I think it probably goes back 30 years or so when turbos were not nearly as reliable as they are today. At that time, to keep from having problems, you were supposed to let a turbocharged vehicle idle for 60 seconds while the turbo cooled down. Most people did not adhere to this advice by turning the car off immediately when they got to their destination.
Today, turbochargers are extremely common in new Read More
There are a number of vehicles that you can purchase in the United States and take delivery overseas and have a great vacation driving your new vehicle, then drop it back off for shipping to your dealer in the U.S. I am surprised more people do not take advantage of this great program.
The automakers who offer this service do a spectacular job of making your delivery experience exceptional, with courtesy transportation to and from the airport, a special delivery room, some offer meals, and will help you navigate your trip before returning the vehicle. Most will offer you a tour of their assembly plant, and some even give you discounts. Read More
If three years of free car maintenance sounds good to you, you’ll like Hyundai’s newest buyer perk. The brand is now providing three years of complimentary maintenance with the purchase or lease of a new 2020 model year Hyundai vehicle. The Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance program includes oil and filter changes plus tire rotation at normal factory-scheduled intervals for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
"Hyundai has always been a company that listens to Read More
Kia is the recipient of four 2020 Best Car for the Money awards from U.S. News & World Report in four separate categories: the Forte won for best compact car; the Soul was best subcompact SUV; Sorento best 3-row SUV; and Sedona best minivan. The awards were handed out at the Washington Auto Show last week.
"Winning one Best Car for the Money awards is a great honor," said Michael Cole, president, Kia Motors America (KMA). "Winning four is fantastic. It's Kia's mission to provide consumers Read More
A new electric vehicle study is out from American Automobile Association. It looks at a number of interesting things like cost of EV ownership, the biggest concerns owners have and whether EV owners would buy an electric vehicle again.
OverviewAAA researchers say that over five years and 75,000 miles of driving, the annual cost of owning a new compact electric vehicle is only slightly more expensive – about $600 annually – than its gas-powered counterpart. The study also Read More
