CHRISTMAS

6 Year-End Car Buying Tips

December 28, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

2019 Volvo V60

The best opportunities to purchase a new vehicle is during a manufacturer’s transition times, including model changeover, the end of a generational build, and as the calendar moves from December to January. The following six tips can save you money, enabling you to drive off in a new ride with your budget intact.

1. End of Model Year

Car manufacturers used to make the model year transition in October, by updating its full product line across the board. All-new models were timed to release in the fall, putting big pressure on manufacturers to get cars to dealers in time for seasonal advertising campaigns.

These days, new models come out throughout the year, allowing manufacturers to stagger releases. When a new model debuts, manufacturers typically place incentives on previous model year vehicles to help clear dealer inventories. Consumers should learn when the transition is being made and follow the manufacturer’s website to discover what incentives — including rebates and special financing – are in place.

2. Old Design Versus New Design

Car manufacturers usually keep a model for five or six years before a complete redesign is made. In the interim, minor annual refreshes are made along with a mid-product-cycle update that is typically accomplished by the fourth year.

A complete design change signifies a generation shift. Older vehicles are routinely discounted as manufacturers seek to clear out inventory. Discounts may be deeper than with the traditional model year change-over as automakers begin to promote the new model that will cost consumers close to the sticker price.

The all-new Jeep Gladiator (l) and the Jeep Wrangler (r).

3. Black Friday Shopping

There are times during the year when car dealers see a plunge in showroom traffic. One of those days is the Friday after Thanksgiving, the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season. It is called Black Friday, what used to mark the day when merchants began to make a profit for the year, which is represented by going from red ink to black ink on financial statements.

Black Friday has another meaning for car dealers: a dearth of car-buying customers. With fewer customers in dealer showrooms throughout Thanksgiving weekend and with the month about to close, consumers may find dealers are eager to negotiate to meet their quotas. Meeting those quotas means receiving more money from manufacturers for reaching their sales goals, something that would not happen if consumers stayed busy buying Christmas presents, not new cars.

4. From Christmas to the New Year

Just as Black Friday may present a special opportunity to strike a deal, the period between Christmas and the New Year can also be a good time to negotiate a new vehicle purchase. Such deals may last a few days into the new year as dealers and manufacturers will close their books no later than Jan. 4.

Car manufacturers are obsessed with market share and use these sales numbers for marketing promotion. As the year fades, automakers know which models or brands stand the chance of finishing on top and may promote these accordingly. For example, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus have an annual battle for luxury vehicle leadership. Year-end discounting usually begins in Nov. and lasts until early Jan. You’ll also find financing and leasing deals.

5. Arranging Your Own Financing

You are in a much better negotiating position when buying a new car if you offer a 100-percent cash (all-cash) transaction. However, most of us cannot afford a heavy cash outlay, instead, we rely on loan financing or a lease to swing our deals. Car dealers offer financing, usually through the manufacturer’s financing arm as well as from banks.

Often, new cars come with incentives allowing buyers to choose between cashback or a low-rate loan. You can also arrange your own financing before you shop for a car. In this case, when you’re ready to buy, give the dealer your loan information and ask to have the rebate applied to your total. Credit unions typically offer the lowest financing rates, making it worth your while to come in with your own loan and take the rebate.

6. Rebates and Dealer Incentives

We already looked at rebates and financing, but there are other rebates available to consumers. Manufacturers like to woo customers with various enticements, but these special offers are generally not publicized. It pays to do your homework by studying the manufacturer’s website.

For example, the Toyota College Graduate Finance Program provides a $500 rebate on select Toyota models and sweetens that offer by writing loans with no money down and deferring the first payment for 90 days. Its program is open to recent college graduates, people that have secured a college degree within the past two years.

Also, the Ford Motor Company awards $500 bonus cash on most Ford and Lincoln products to active duty and recently retired military personnel and their families through its Military Appreciation program. Here, military retirees have up to 24 months after leaving service (separation) to remain eligible for the rebate.

Other manufacturers usually provide similar rebates and may also offer discounts to first responders, credit union members, suppliers, and their employees. These extra incentives are typically on top of other offers and may be applied to the purchase price of the new vehicle.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado LT

Saving Money

It isn’t that difficult to save money on your new vehicle purchase. Study the manufacturer’s website, visit local dealer sites, and keep in mind the special offers listed here when negotiating your price. It is possible to save thousands of dollars, especially on well-equipped models. Don’t allow cash offers to fall to the wayside by not having the dealer apply what’s available to you.

See Also — Care Tips for Your New Vehicle

When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?

October 28, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

One goal millions of American consumers would like to attain before the new year arrives is to purchase a new vehicle. There are about 270 million registered passenger vehicles in the United States with an average age of 11.8 years according to IHS Markit. That’s a long time to hang on to a car and for many people getting a new one has become a high priority, especially if their current ride is experiencing significant downtime.

The months of November and December provide very good opportunities for people to purchase a new vehicle. For one, the year-end sales rush is on and brands such as Lexus, Buick, and Mazda are among those making the push right now. For another, the 2020 models have arrived and dealerships are anxious to clear lots of 2019 inventory. If you do your homework thoroughly, you can slash thousands of dollars off the sticker price of some new models before incentives are taken. Yes, this could be the best time to buy a car, SUV or pickup truck.

There is some debate among experts about the best time to buy a car. Manufacturers and dealers usually insist, “right now!” — but that isn’t always the case. With an eye on the remaining weeks of the year ahead, the following dates, days, and even times of the week may help you in your new car shopping decision.

Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving is known as “Black Friday” or when merchants offer tantalizing deals to help kick off the Christmas shopping season. The day is so busy that stores are packed with customers from Thanksgiving evening to late Friday night.

Pity the poor new car salesperson who looks out at the traffic-choked highway and observes potential customers whose minds are locked on getting a Christmas gift deal and on nothing else. Very few customers venture to dealer lots and that omission may cost them a big bargain.

In 2013, Consumer Reports surveyed the automotive landscape just days before Thanksgiving and found that several older, but still new models had discounts ranging from 15 to 25 percent off the sticker price. For example, that means a $55,000 full-size pickup truck might retail for as low as $45,000 if buyers were aware of the incentives.

Consumer Reports noted that Black Friday could be an especially beneficial day to shop as “dealers may even sweeten the deal further to clear their lots” and the day is also close to the end of the month as “dealers are more willing to negotiate to meet their quotas.” If Black Friday isn’t the best time to buy a new car, it certainly ranks as one of the top days.

Best Days of the Week

You may think that shopping for a new car on a weekend is the ideal time to buy. However, that usually isn’t the case unless it’s the end of the month and dealers are battling to meet their sales quota. Keep in mind that there’s no way to know if the dealership has met its quota. Don’t expect the salesman to greet you as you enter the showroom by saying, “Gee, we’re really glad you stopped by today. If we make a sale, we’ll meet our monthly quota!”

Monday may be the best day of the week to buy a car as most of the business has been conducted over the previous weekend. The lower the foot traffic, the more likely you’ll have increased negotiating power. This may be even more apparent in December when people are stepping up their Christmas shopping. For instance, if you shop on the Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend — also known as Cyber Monday — you may find showrooms are nearly empty.

At Year-End

Some people think that December 31 is the best day to buy a new car, especially as the calendar year comes to a close. Although it can certainly be a good day, the first few days of the new year can be a good time to shop too. Why? Because those days are counted in the previous year’s totals.

Dealer’s work with what is known as a “U.S. Sales Reporting Calendar.” For 2019, the sales month and year cutoff are on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. Many dealers are open on New Year’s Day and many will remain open late on Jan. 2, in a bid to get that final sale.

Dispelling Myths

Just as there is the best time to buy a new car there are some myths about timing your purchase that should be examined and dispelled.

For instance, some people believe that shopping for a new car on a rainy or snowy day is ideal for securing a bargain. On the contrary, many dealerships are packed with people whose plans were changed because of the foul weather.

Arriving at a dealership just as your sales associate is ready to leave for the day seems like a great way to snag a deal too. After all, she may have plans and is eager to get home. Don’t be fooled: salespeople are used to working well beyond their scheduled hours in a bid to secure a deal. Besides, it is the sales manager who ultimately approves or nixes any deal.

Get Prepared

Now that you’re ready to buy a new car, visit the manufacturer’s website to identify the vehicle and trim level that interests you. Contact at least three dealerships to obtain quotes. Learn what incentives are available, which is information that is typically found on the manufacturer’s website. You can arrange to finance on your own or do so through the dealership, but with the latter choice, you may forfeit cash back in exchange for cut-rate financing.

Photo credit Pixabay.

Christmas Holiday Traffic to Hit a Record This Year

December 21, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

Record numbers of people will be taking to the road this holiday season. Get there safely this Christmas by keeping in mind the following statistics and advice.

Lexus NX — Not all roads will be clear and traffic-free this holiday travel season.

If you’re planning to travel at least 50 miles this Christmas season, you’ll be joined by nearly 30 percent of the other 320 million Americans who will be doing the same. That’s the prediction of AAA, America’s largest roadside assistance and leisure travel organization.

For the first time more than 100 million people are expected to take to the road for the year-end holiday season, beginning on Dec. 23, 2015, and ending on Jan. 3, 2016. Lower gas prices and slightly higher incomes are combining to make travel more affordable in 2015. AAA has forecast 100.5 million people will travel at least 50 miles across that 12-day period this year.

Lowest Fuel Prices Since 2009

The national average for a gallon of regular grade gasoline is right at $2 per gallon. That’s about 25 cents lower than last year and more than a $1.30 below 2013’s average. By New Year’s Day, AAA says fuel prices will be the lowest we’ve seen in seven years for the holiday.

Inasmuch as Americans will be traveling in record numbers, accidents will rise in conjunction with the increased travel. The independent National Safety Council has forecast 307 deaths and 37,200 serious injuries for the three-day Christmas travel period alone (Dec. 24-26).

2014 Ford Fusion PHEV. — Reduce your speed when traveling on slick roads.

Another 346 deaths and 41,900 serious injuries are forecast for the three-day New Year’s travel period (Dec. 31-Jan. 2). The NSC notes that as many as 405 lives could be saved across these two holidays if everyone wore seat belts.

“Too many celebrations are marred by tragedies during the holiday season,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “When you are traveling, remember that you are your car’s most important safety feature. Getting to zero deaths on our roadways requires each of us to be safer behind the wheel.”

High Impaired Driving Rates

For its part, AAA is warning against impaired driving throughout the two-holiday season. AAA notes that 21 percent of licensed drivers who drink at least occasionally have admitted to taking to the road when their alcohol consumption may have been close to or over the legal limit.

“As we celebrate the holiday season, AAA urges travelers to be cautious about their safety and the safety of everyone sharing the roadways,” said Marshall Doney, AAA President and CEO. “Ninety-seven percent of licensed drivers consider it unacceptable to drive when they may have had too much to drink, yet there is an average of one alcohol-impaired-driving death every 53 minutes.”

Lexus IS C — Make it a safe and fun Christmas this year!

Get Road Ready

For drivers planning to take to the road for Christmas or New Year’s Day, ensuring that the vehicle is ready for the trip is especially important (see How to Get Your Car Ready for Winter). That may mean replacing your all-season radials with winter tires, especially if your trip involves winter driving conditions. Ensuring that your roadside assistance plan is current is important as insurance for a possible breakdown.

As for the driver and vehicle occupants, the NSC recommends that everyone wear a seat belt. If you plan to drink, then a designated driver is a must. You should also begin your trip rested — get plenty of sleep and take regular breaks along the way.

Avoid using a cell phone while behind the wheel, including hands-free. Importantly, if your teens take to the road — even for short distances — don’t allow them to drive with their friends. The NSC notes that just one teen passenger will increase distractibility as well as your teen’s crash fatality rate by 44 percent.

See Also — Should I Buy a Car Now or Wait?

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Super Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Car Lover on Your List

December 19, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

Gift ideas with little time to spare.

Christmas is just days away and there is one person on your list for whom buying a gift should have everything to do with his (or her) love of cars. His passion is for anything on four wheels, so you’re bound and determined to align your gift giving accordingly. You also want to consider certain things he might not get for himself, leaving you to peruse our list of the top gift ideas.

Exotic Car Driving Experience

Who wouldn’t crave to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari 430, a Lamborghini Gallardo or some other exotic car? Your friend, for one. His sports car experience may have been limited to Corvettes and 911s, both excellent models, but when it comes to driving the exotics, that’s a dream still waiting to be realized.

Lucky for you there are racing labs available where licensed drivers can work with a professional driver and learn how that Ferrari 360 Modena, McLaren 650S Coupe or Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S handles before getting behind the wheel themselves. Typically, such “experiences” are held at race tracks or on fair grounds and involve three laps of drive time, with video tape of their track time extra.

If you are familiar with the way that these experiences work, you have seen prices starting at $500 on up, which may be well beyond your budget. You should know that deep discounts are often available with your total cost ranging from $99 to $159. Where should you look for a deal? Why that would be through Groupon and similar sites, of course.

Complete Automotive Detailing

He washes and waxes his car religiously, but for once you would like to see him turn the work over to a professional, especially during those months when work, family time or the holidays press in. You know that he wouldn’t be happy to allow just anyone to do the work, so search in your area for someone who can give his car the attention he expects.

A basic service is anything but that. It should include a hand car wash to remove all contaminants and dirt. Then, the professional should dry the car with special microfiber materials, apply a waterless wash and use compressed air. Detailing should extend to the tires and wheels, with a special hybrid polish sealant used. Inside, the car would get the royal treatment, with precise attention given to all surfaces, taking into consideration the various materials found there to include: leather, wood, chrome and plastic. A thorough dusting and vacuuming, interior and exterior cleaning of the windows, and vapor steam sterilization of the cabin is in order. Finally, a UV treatment and protection of all interior materials should be applied.

For a basic service you’re looking at spending upwards of $150 to get the work done. Opt for paint touch up, engine cleaning and interior restoration and you’ll pay handsomely for the extra special work.

classic car wines

Classic Car Wines

Never would we suggest that drinking and driving are a good thing. That doesn’t mean that your sweetheart cannot imbibe alcohol while at home and when in the company of your friends. Wine goes with mostly anything and the Classic Car Wines sold by the B.R. Cohn Winery in California’s Sonoma Valley may stoke his interest and whet his palate.

You can order an assortment of wines to include: Muscle Car Red, Woody White, Panel Wagon Pinot, Roadster Red and Boaters Barbera. As delicious as these wines are, the one dilemma your true love might have is whether to open these beautiful artistically labeled bottles or to keep them on display. Order double and you can do both. Discounts are available for bulk purchase; shipping restrictions may apply in your state.

Chevrolet Corvette

Make a Museum Visit

Your family trips are often limited to what everyone wants with your husband patiently going along with every trip to the beach, to the adventure park or camping. You know what he really wants and that is to take in a side trip to visit an automotive collection, something you can arrange with careful planning.

There are several automotive museums of note that every car lover should see at least once in his or her lifetime. In Bowling Green, Kentucky, there is the National Corvette Museum, located next to the manufacturing plant that builds these iconic sports cars. Add in a factory tour while you are there.

If your vacation plans find you traveling to Los Angeles, then the Petersen Automotive Museum with its 200-car collection on Wilshire Boulevard is a must see. The display changes regularly, but you will always see at least a handful of cars that were once owned by Hollywood’s stars. Take the escalator up from the first and second floor and you’ll be enthralled by the photos of vintage vehicles plastered on its walls.

Visiting the Motor City in January is not tops on everyone’s list. Perhaps it should be as the North American International Auto Show is held in Detroit beginning in the middle of the month. The Cobo Center show attracts more than 7,000 media people from around the world, where manufacturers display stunning concepts and new product releases. While in Detroit, head over to nearby Deerfield Village to take in the Henry Ford Museum. Hundreds of cars are on display dating back to the earliest Model T. You’ll also find other mechanical conveyances, including trains and planes.

Museum ticket prices are reasonable, starting at $10 or so. Getting there, local accommodations and food are other expenses. Plan it with your vacation and you will save money.

Customized Gift Certificate

Visa Gift Card Not every gift presented will be received with whole-hearted enthusiasm. You may live in dread that your present will miss the mark or be politely rejected. Let’s face it: for some automotive enthusiasts there is no way that you can please them!

One way to resolve this problem is to pay a visit to his favorite automotive retailer and pick up a gift certificate. If that retailer is part of a national chain, then you shouldn’t have a problem obtaining one. If it is a local shop where your loved one does business, ask the proprietor to make a certificate for one of his favorite customers. Another option is to simply load up a Visa debit card, present it to him and allow him to make his own purchase decision.

Christmas Dreaming

With some careful and dedicated last minute planning, you can pull off your automotive-themed gift giving without a hitch. Throw in a few stocking stuffers such as an ice scraper, carnauba wax and a pack of microfiber cleaning cloths and you will rock his world this Christmas morning.

Ferrari 430 photo copyright Ferrari; Visa Gift Card photo copyright Visa.