Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Friday, August 30, 2013
23
How to
know when it’s time for a new car If you are over the age of 16 and drive a car older than 4 years old that you don’t love, whether you know it or not, you are among the millions of American consumers who are “in the market.” And being “in the market,” there’s a 60 percent chance you will buy a new or preowned car, truck or SUV in the next 90 days, and a 90 percent chance you will make a purchase within the next 12 months. Why? Because Americans love their cars. And when they stop loving them, well, “you know honey, you just don’t excite me anymore.” Luckily, your mini van doesn’t know of it’s lack of looks, charm and performance, so you should bear no guilt in flirting with other cars, even going to far as to openly ogling your neighbor’s new SUV. Check out those curves. Nice storage, Um, um, um. Are those wheels stock? You could even take a test drive with “no strings attached” and never see any of those cars again. And, there are lots of legitimate reasons to do it: People work hard and get promoted. They graduate, they move, they marry and have kids. Their transmissions falter, their brakes are squeaky, the heater blows cold, the back seat smells funky or they get a dog. They want and deserve a new ride.
Why upgrade But also among the motivators are the
developments of new technologies to keep us safer, more comfortable, and more efficient as we commute from home to job to store, to practice, to errands and to all of life’s natural daily events. Cars do more, better. They do it longer and with more efficiency than at any time in the history of transportation. And the best news for consumers is that you now have more information and more control than ever before, online resources like Autotrader.com, Cars.com or your local dealers website give you the ability to shop much larger inventories, compare makes and models, get trade-in
values, apply for financing, and enhance your purchase comfort level without ever leaving your home or office.
Use a dealership So with all these resources, do you really need a dealership? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Why? Because 70 percent of consumers intending to buy a particular make and model actually end up buying a different make and model. Dealership sales staff are expert in helping match cars with new owner’s lifestyle, needs, wants and budget. Dealership preowned inventory changes daily and a good salesperson
will keep you in the loop as possible matches occur. High demand preowned cars, trucks and SUVs are often sold before they ever hit online inventory, so having a relationship at the dealership level can help when you have identified your top choices. For new car shoppers, dealership sales staff are expert in their product, manufacturer rebate programs, and have relationships with finance options. This combination can significantly ease the process of engaging all the moving pieces of your transaction.
The trade-in Another major factor for both new and used car
buyers is what to do with your current fading flame. Dealerships can take your trade in work it into the deal or consign it for you so you can be in your new relationship within a few hours of finding car love. No posting ads, answering calls, inconvenient and uncomfortable negotiations with strangers. And with KBB and other resources, you can maximize the value you receive. So good luck with your pending nuptials, promotion, move and children. May your transmission, brakes, heater and interesting smell serve you well. And when another hot car drives by, ogle on, my friends, ogle on.