by Admin | Sep 20, 2024 | Car Blog, Used Cars
Chances are you’ve been trying to get rid of your old car. But come to think of it, you may be better off holding onto it for a little longer, or even longer as things appear.
Could there be solid reasons why holding onto your trusty old vehicle is the wisest financial decision you make this year?
1. Growing Inventory and Incentives
With vehicle inventory levels on the rise and automakers offering more incentives, it’s tempting to think now is the time to buy.
However, this trend suggests that car prices may continue to drop. By waiting, you could potentially get an even better deal in the future.
2. Economic Uncertainty
The economy is in flux, with interest rates and the upcoming U.S. presidential election adding to the unpredictability.
In times of economic uncertainty, it’s often prudent to avoid major purchases and stick with what you know – your reliable old car.
3. Shifting Sales Patterns
The growth in auto sales is primarily coming from commercial rather than consumer sales.
This shift could mean that the best deals and attention from dealerships might not be focused on individual buyers like you.
4. Potential Market Slowdown
Industry experts are predicting a slowdown in sales growth for the latter half of the year. This could lead to even better deals for consumers in the future, rewarding those who wait.
5. End of the Seller’s Market
As we bid farewell to the seller’s market of the past four years, dealerships are likely to see reduced profitability.
This transition period might not be the ideal time to make a major purchase, as dealerships adjust their strategies.
6. Familiarity and Reliability
You know your old car’s quirks and maintenance history. A new vehicle comes with unknowns and potential issues.
By holding onto your old vehicle a bit longer, you’re positioning yourself to potentially get a better deal in the future while maintaining financial stability in an uncertain economic climate.
Sometimes, the best move is to stay put and let the market settle before making a big decision.
by Admin | Sep 5, 2024 | Auto Care Blog, Car Blog
Americans have long had a love affair with big, powerful vehicles.
From muscle cars to SUVs and pickup trucks, the U.S. automotive landscape has been dominated by larger-than-life machines for decades.
But as we face the realities of climate change and the transition to electric vehicles, is it time for a change of heart?
Ford CEO Jim Farley recently made waves by suggesting that Americans need to “get back in love” with smaller cars. He argues that the current infatuation with “monster vehicles” is unsustainable, especially as we move towards widespread EV adoption.
The average weight of new vehicles sold in the U.S. has ballooned to 4,329 pounds in 2023, a staggering 1,000-pound increase since 1980.
But can Americans really let go of their big car obsession?
History shows it’s possible. Let’s not forget the immense popularity of the Volkswagen Beetle in the 1960s and 70s. This compact, efficient car captured the hearts of many Americans, proving that smaller vehicles can indeed find a place in the U.S. market.
The shift towards smaller cars isn’t just about changing preferences – it’s becoming an economic necessity.
Farley points out that enormous EVs with massive battery packs will struggle to be profitable or affordable. The future of accessible electric vehicles lies in more compact, efficient designs.
As we face the challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable transportation, perhaps it’s time for a cultural shift. The American dream of the open road doesn’t have to die – it just might need to downsize a bit.
Smaller cars can still offer freedom, style, and driving pleasure, all while being kinder to our wallets and the planet.
The transition won’t be easy, but with innovative designs, smart marketing, and a focus on the benefits of smaller vehicles, it’s possible that Americans could fall in love with compact cars all over again. After all, good things often come in small packages.
by Admin | Mar 5, 2024 | Car Blog, Why Keep Your Old Car
According to psychologists, our brains are wired for novelty. New things trigger the release of dopamine, a hormone associated with pleasure and reward.
Seeing a sleek, shiny car activates this reward system, making us feel excited and motivated to possess it. But for how long?
Well, your brain eventually adapts to the new stimuli and the initial excitement fades away.
So, is the excitement worth it, especially when it comes at such a high cost to your finances and when things are tough?
Freedom From Financial Pits
Imagine cruising down open roads in your reliable used car, paid for upfront. No payments dragging you down in the slow lane surrounded by folks regretting their loan decisions later.
Owning a practical relic like a 2004 Honda Civic outright keeps your options wide open. You can switch jobs more freely without worrying about your wheels getting repossessed. And no monthly millstone means you’ll pay off student loans post-college quicker, instead of that albatross strangling your flexibility for a decade-plus.
Sure, you occasionally envy their smooth-riding suspension and cutting-edge dash displays, while your wheels groan and the radio glitches. But any jealous skids vanish quickly when you remember the freedom of owning your transportation outright.
Hitting the road packed with laughing buddies for a crosstown concert sparks joy money can’t buy – and no loan officer can take away because you were smart enough to reject the shackles of debt.
As gas prices surge, you smile cruising right past stations, knowing no payments inflate your costs. Your used Civic has another 10 years left, minimum. And the savings compound as you invest wisely instead of pumping over $500 monthly to boost bankers’ pockets.
Getting tied down with a car loan really kicks you in the teeth long-term. Don’t swallow incentives that ultimately consume your dreams! Buy used, avoid debt, and you’ll stay securely in the driver’s seat of your financial destiny. The open road awaits!
by Admin | Feb 20, 2024 | Car Blog, Dodge, Minivans, Vans
“Van living” or “van life” is an emerging trend that has been growing in popularity around the US. Yahoo Finance estimates that the number of vanlifers has grown by at least 63% over the last handful of years.
It appears more folks are turning vans or buses into tiny homes on wheels and hitting the road full time. Thanks to social media, #vanlife looks idyllic – but who wouldn’t want to wake up to mountain views every morning! It’s dreamy!
But is this barebones, mobile lifestyle truly sustainable for the planet?
Evaluating the Eco-Scorecard
On one hand, van lifers consume way fewer resources. Small spaces mean limited energy for heating and cooling. Rooftop solar panels provide electricity and water tanks get refilled only when needed.
This lightweight living uses a fraction of what the average American home gulps down. A vanlifer rarely spends similar amounts as living in an apartment.
Typical expenses of a vanlifer would include groceries, gas, laundry and sometimes, gym memberships to access the showers. A 300-watt solar panel can power a rice cooker, toaster oven, coffee pot, toothbrush, laptop, cellphone and electric shaver, among other equipment.
The van is a tiny home, and you’ll not be needing to heat or cool a big place. That means less carbon footprint than most people.
But many older vans guzzle gas, especially lumbering around all day seeking boondocking sites. Newer conversions to high-mpg hybrids or electric help, but aren’t the norm yet. And even eco-vans still require manufacturing and materials. Don’t they?
The Takeaway
While not 100% green, van living reflects growing anti-consumerism sentiment. Trading McMansions for just the essentials of a modest mobile pod reduces waste.
But this unicorn of sustainability still has some warts. For now, #vanlife lands somewhere in the middle on the eco-scorecard. At least nomads are driving in the right direction – literally and philosophically!
by Admin | Jan 20, 2024 | Car Blog, Ford F-150, Used Cars
While we all love that “new car” smell and feel, buying a new set of wheels right now is a big expense. Bigger than ever! You see, interest rates are soaring, and it’s almost like the sky’s the limit in this economic time.
So, is there a way around the 14% interest for 60 months for a new ride when you don’t have that 825 FICO score? We tend to look at what we don’t have and not the treasure that’s already in our hands.
What’s this obsession with hoarding the new shiny?
Did you know that working on your current ride is like starting from a position of strength?
There are inexpensive DIY add-ons you can install to make your used car feel new and updated. And with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can upgrade your existing vehicle’s look, comfort, tech, and convenience right in your garage.
Interior LED Lights
Swapping out standard bulb lighting with battery-powered removable LED stick-on lights illuminates the cabin with a fresh modern glow. Use them to see passengers, items, and awkward corners better at night. There are options for colorful ambient lighting too.
Seat Covers
Dingy upholstery gets new life with the addition of cushy seat pads and breathable, protective seat covers. Choose patterns and materials that upgrade your interior’s look. Enjoy a refreshed seating experience, and the driving becomes enjoyable as well.
Decorative Chrome Accents
Peel-and-stick trims can chrome out vents, handles, knobs, and gauges on the cheap. It’s an easy way to modernize the aesthetic.
More ideas cover things like hands-free phone holders, backup cameras for safety, custom-fit floor mats, mini vacuums, Bluetooth music adapters, and exterior detailing. With small upgrades like these, older cars gain significant style and function. The journey feels as good as the destination!
Need help with upgrading or maintenance of your trusty ride? We can help. Contact us at A1 Performance Auto Repair, and we’ll give your car the TLC it deserves.
by Admin | Jan 5, 2024 | Car Blog, Used Cars
It’s all over the dailies – the cost of buying new and used cars has skyrocketed! So, when does it stop? We can only speculate.
Meanwhile, many buyers feel priced out of their dream vehicle. But even this leads some to believe that holding onto an older paid-off car is asking for mechanical troubles and expensive repairs down the road.
But much of that worry comes from myths about the correlation between a car’s age and the likelihood of issues. So, is there any truth to it? Well, the answer is that it depends on the quality of the TLC you’ve been giving your car.
Busting the Myths
In overheated markets like Silicon Valley where prices and financing rates are astronomical, buying new often doesn’t compute money-wise.
With interest rates over 14% on 5+ year loans if you have an average credit score, your savings will run dry faster than you can imagine. Think about this: you only need a portion of this cost to maintain your trusty vehicle, and either way you do the calculations, buying new will not match up to the cost of maintenance and DIY.
Equipping yourself with DIY fix-it knowledge for your paid-off vehicle can avoid the pitfalls of both new and used car lots. Things like tuning up mechanical systems, swapping out fluids, replacing worn parts, updating technology features, and detailing both the interior and exterior can work wonders.
On the other hand, protective steps like wax seals, seat covers, door edge guards and more help safeguard against incremental wear and tear.
With watchful maintenance and some cost-effective upgrades, lasting hundreds of thousands of miles in a used car is achievable.
So don’t let dubious myths about unreliability scare you into an unwise purchase. A little TLC allows you to save money and transport yourself in style minus the monthly car loan payment. Bust those myths and feel confident striking out on the open road worry-free.
