So you’re ready to buy a new or used car, but you need an auto loan. Should you finance with the dealer or through a third party? How does the application process work? What happens if you can’t get pre approved? In this article, we will answer these questions and help prepare you for the auto loan process.
Dealers or Third Party Lender?Typically, you can get a better rate financing through dealerships. They have vested interest in getting your business and moving vehicles off their lots. Read More
Although last week’s Barry was only a hurricane for a short period of time, it brought a ton of rain and flooding in a lot of states. The large amounts of rain caused flash flooding, destruction, and countless numbers of flooded cars. From previous floods and hurricanes, we know that these cars will resurface all over the country in the months and years ahead. Read More
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated following its original post date.
I update this story every year in hopes that it may get into the hands of parents who leave small children or pets in the car and prevent another child or pet from suffering a horrible, slow, agonizing death.
Car Heat Stroke StatisticsAbsorb the numbers below. Each case ended with the death of a child and the planning of a funeral: Child vehicular heatstroke deaths for 2017: 42Child vehicular heatstroke deaths Read More
[Editor’s note: This article has been updated since its original post in August 2015.]
We had a caller last Saturday on the Car Pro Show who was unhappy with the fuel economy of his truck. This is one of two common problems I hear all the time: 1). My pickup gets horrible fuel economy, or 2). My pickup doesn’t do a good job towing my trailer.
When I get these questions, I always ask which rear axle ratio the caller has, and I would guess 90% of the time, the caller doesn’t know. People Read More
A recent Car Pro Show listener wanted to spend $5000 on used vehicle for his 16-year old child. The parent was rightfully concerned about safety, reliability, and wanted it to be fairly low mileage. This is called Mission: Impossible.
Finding a Reliable 5,000 Used Car I could retire today if I just had a dollar for the times I have been asked about where to get a $5000 reliable used car. Read More
There is one fundamental thing to understand about the difference between new and used car financing. Namly, it’s much easier to get new car financing. Not only is it easier, but Car Pro Show host and automotive expert Jerry Reynolds says new car loans also typically come with lower interest rates than offered with used car loans.
Reynolds explains there are two big reasons why this is the case: First, used cars are a riskier investment for lenders. Read More
The year 2016 was the best year in automotive history, which also means a record number of trade-ins on the market. Many people turn to used vehicles to try to save some money. Daily, I get the question of whether or not someone should buy a factory certified pre-owned car, and if it worth the extra money you pay for one.
When I was the Ford National Dealer Council Chairman about 15 years ago, they asked me to help them come up with the best-certified program for consumers and dealers. It Read More
I talk about Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles on my radio show often. Simply put, I am a believer and have been since we first started hearing about these programs, which was in the late 1990s. When I was the Ford National Dealer Council Chairman in 2000-2003, Ford Motor asked us to study the CPO programs that were out there and come up with one the dealers would embrace.
I traveled the country talking to dealers and used car managers until we came out with a program that everyone liked. Read More
It is easy to get caught up in the phenomenon of the new car smell. You saw a car that looked great to you, your old car is tired and you are tired of it. You go to a dealership, take that test drive, and the love affair begins. You are blinded by your favorite color, the great stereo, all the safety features, and the fuel economy. You’ll do whatever it takes to drive home in your dream car. Does that mean you’ll sign a 7-year legal, binding contract so you can afford the payments? If so, you Read More
So it’s time for your first car, or maybe it’s just time to replace the current one and you want to do a better job budgeting for what is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make in your lifetime. Either way, you’ve come to the right place because what you don’t want to ever do is find yourself in a situation where you can no longer afford your car payments. Car Pro Show Host Jerry Reynolds addresses that situation here.
How Much Car Can You Afford?Many financial Read More
It’s one of the most nerve-wracking parts about the car buying process for many shoppers. Applying for credit. It’s best to do your homework by obtaining your credit score before going to the dealership and filling out the important credit application. The last thing you want is to be surprised with a low score that derails your car-buying plans.
Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds explains the dos and don’ts of filling out the credit application Read More
New or used, we all want a vehicle that is reliable. But when you buy a used car, reliability is even more important. Depending on how old the vehicle is you may or may not have the factory warranty or even the extended warranty left. Repairs can get more costly as time goes by and they can become more frequent, which could become an issue for the those on a tighter budget. The risk of repairs for a used vehicle is also one reason used car loans usually come Read More
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its original post in February of 2017.]
We had a perplexed radio show caller last Saturday who found the perfect car at one of the used car only dealerships, but he knew it was overpriced.
I can’t help but chuckle to myself when someone tells me he or she bought a vehicle from a place that doesn’t negotiate prices and had a wonderful experience. My first thought is always: of course! You can have a wonderful experience at any car lot in Read More
I am often asked about buying a used car from a private seller versus a dealership. Unbiased, I am always a fan of buying a factory certified car when available, but usually those are only a few years old and many people cannot afford them. There are also benefits to purchasing a non-certified car from a reputable new car dealership. The good ones are careful what they sell and won’t sell a used car until it has been checked over.
There are a lot of people who need to buy the nearly impossible to find $5000 used car, but there are many more who need a used car from $7500 to $12,500 and often they turn to private sellers, which is fine if you do your homework and proceed with caution. 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
The all-new 2019 Ford Ranger is already on the streets and if Ford has anything to say about it won’t stay on the pavement for long.
Ford is hoping buyers will enjoy the adventure-ready aspect of the midsize pickup by teaming up with Yakima, a company that makes adventure products. The idea is that buyers can customize their pickup with some of Yakima’s highest-selling accessories that are now available through Ford dealerships.
During a recent Ford media event in Dallas, Ford Ranger Read More
Parents Magazine is out with its 10 Best Family Cars of 2019.
The list started with 30 minivans and SUVs that all passed government safety tests with flying colors. They all also provided a good value.
Parents Magazine then got into more specifics to narrow the list down. A child passenger safety technician installed multiple car seats in each, and a mom mechanic weighed in about gas mileage, maintenance costs, and high-tech driving features. Parents also looked at family-friendly Read More
This past Saturday, we had several calls from people who identified themselves as Senior citizens wanting advice on new vehicles. Many were considering going from a sedan to a crossover. By the time you get to be a Senior citizen, you have probably bought a good number of cars. The truth is, even if you don’t admit it, you are wondering if this will be your last car, and frankly, that makes you think a little harder and a little longer. When I was the owner of a car dealership, I sold a lot Read More
American drivers spend on average more than 290 hours behind the wheel each year, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey data.
With so much time spent in their vehicles, it’s no wonder comfort is a key factor in consumer buying decisions.
AutoTrader editors recently looked at 2019 model year car interiors and assessed them for style, comfort, design and the latest technology to compile its list of 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000.
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
