Thursday, February 24, 2011

10 Steps for the First Time Car Buyer

Buying a new vehicle is an exciting moment in life. It should be celebrated instead of dreaded. Many people do not like purchasing a car because of several factors. Factors such as: bad experiences in the past, novice salespeople that use pressure tactics, and not enough information being provided. We are ready to bring the fun back to purchasing a car. No longer will you feel pressured, rushed, or uncomfortable with the buying process. Follow these steps to save yourself time, money, and be happy with your new vehicle.

Purchasing a Car: The Steps
  • Step 1: Why do I want to buy a car? What need or desire are you trying to overcome? Ask yourself all of the preliminary questions before beginning to look for a vehicle. How will you pay for it, and how much can you afford?
  • Step 2: What features do I want in the vehicle? Select a type of vehicle to purchase. There are many options available some for free, and some for an additional cost.
  • Step 3: Research online because it is the best tool of the informed consumer. Now that you know what type of vehicle you would like, and what features you enjoy. You can do product comparisons, and see what the market value is for similar automobiles in that class.
  • Step 4: Initial dealership visit. Get the feel for the environment, and the type of service the dealership is providing. How quickly are you greeted? What questions are they asking you, are they interested in getting you the vehicle that meets your needs?
  • Use this visit to gather the information you need to make an intelligent buying decision. Decide whether or not you want to spend your money at this dealership or with someone else. If you are treated professionally, they respect your time, and are willing to value your business, then you should purchase from that dealership.
  • Step 5: Research online. Now you are looking for reviews of the dealership itself, and not the vehicle. The best type of business transaction is one where both parties benefit. Creating a long lasting business partnership is valuable to both you and the seller.
  • Also, if you have a vehicle to trade in have the estimated values from Kelly Blue Book, NADA, and Kelly Black Book if possible. These resources provide an approximate market value for your trade. As an informed customer you should have a realistic amount you would like for the trade. The salesperson should provide you with the current market value, as well as what the dealership feels your vehicle is worth.
  • Step 6: Test drive. This should be done at least once if not multiple times. Make sure that you enjoy the drive, and have all of your questions answered.
  • Step 7: Sit down to talk numbers. Be prepared with as much information as you can. Understand that you do not want this to be a long drawn out process, and are serious about purchasing the vehicle. If you have followed the previous steps in this article then you will already know the value of the vehicle before sitting down. At this point you should know the MSRP, and what the total amount the dealership is asking for after installed accessories. Costs typically include but are not limited to a destination fee, an administrative fee, dealer installed accessories, and processing fee.
  • If you are negotiating a vehicle trade, understand that the dealership incurs many costs when taking in trades such as: Cleaning / Reconditioning, Advertising, and Vehicle Demand.
  • If the demand for your vehicle is low, then do not expect to get very much for your trade.
  • Several things affect the value of your trade.
  • Step 8: Finalize the numbers. If the Salesperson or Sales Manager is not willing to negotiate price see if there are other perks they offer. Will they provide you with any free oil changes? Do they have a complimentary car wash whenever you stop by? DO NOT attempt to get everything in the store for free! Remember that the dealership is in business to make money, and that the sales person works on commission. Understand the value of your trade, and the value of new vehicle. Now come to an agreeable amount including perks. If they are a professional dealership they will not try to swindle you, and on that same token you should be a professional customer and do not try to swindle the dealership.
  • Step 9: Purchase the vehicle. This will typically occur in the Finance Department even if you are not financing the new vehicle. By this point you are excited about your new purchase, and cannot wait to show it off!
  • Step 10: Follow up. What perks did the dealership offer? Did they contact you within a week to make sure that you are happy? Are they making good on the things they promised you?

Overall the best advice is to be as informed as possible when making any purchase. Know how much you are willing to spend, and be sure that you are comfortable with the dealership. We pride ourselves on being focused on our customers, and value your business.

Hyundai January 2011 Sales Release

Hyundai January 2011 Sales Release

Provided by Breeden Hyundai.

Monday, February 21, 2011

The all-new 2011 Sonata. Looks like a million. Starts under 20K.

Sonata engineers decided they would simply get more power out of a better, fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine, instead of offering a 6-cylinder as an option.. The result is two of the most revolutionary engines available. Sonata dominates the competition in both horsepower and MPG. Whether you choose the 2.4L GDI or the 274-HP 2.0T Turbo, each delivers class-leading horsepower as well as MPG.

Endless tweaking transformed the Sonata into the sport-tuned SE. Modified suspension and steering deliver a sportier ride and increased steering response. Larger stabilizer bars reduce body roll and improve handling on curves.

The Proximity Key entry with push button start means you can go from admiring it to flooring it in seconds. Keyless entry and ignition let you keep your keys in your pocket or purse. Power-adjustable front seats with power lumbar support give you eight ways to create a perfect fit. Dual temperature controls, heated front seats and even heated rear seats make sure that customized comfort for you and your passengers is a constant.

The Sonata’s navigation system makes it easy to get from A to B with voice recognition or through the interactive touchscreen. The XM NavTraffic® and XM Data Services allow you to search for nearby businesses like gas stations, ATMs or restaurants, get a clear picture of the current traffic situations, and check the weather, stocks and sports scores, all in real time.

The driver seat is heated and has an eight-way power adjustment to make even long trips seem short. Lest your passengers get jealous, both front and rear seats are also heated, and have been shaped to provide extra leg support that reduces discomfort and fatigue.

The Sonata’s standard Bluetooth technology with phonebook transfer gives you hands-free access to your phone with a very handy voice recognition control. The AM/FM/XM®/CD/MP3 Audio System comes with 6 speakers and includes a subwoofer with an external amp. Plus the built-in iPod®/USB and auxiliary jacks let you access your iPod® through the audio controls.

Designed at Hyundai’s Southern California design center, the Sonata is a four-year labor of love. And yes, it performs even better than it looks.

Provided by Breeden Hyundai.