Keys to Easier Car Shopping

It’s no secret that most people have a negative connotation about car shopping. However, not every car-shopping experience has to be an unpleasant one. The more prepared you are, the better your shopping experience can be. Here are a few pointers to assist you the next time you’re out shopping for a new vehicle.

Be budget-minded– This doesn’t mean that you have to shop for the cheapest car you can find. What this means is that you should walk in the door already knowing the amount you have to spend toward a vehicle – and what you’d like your monthly payment to be. This simple step can be a real time-saver. This will allow your salesperson to easily steer you to vehicles that match your financial needs. This will also make any final negotiations much more straightforward.

Do your homework– Stopping by a dealer’s website is a great first step. On our website you’ll be able to view our inventory and compare prices. Although some prices will be online specials, this will still give you a general idea of how much you can expect to spend for a particular model. And, if you see something you like, give us a call and we’d be happy to tell you more about the vehicle!

Bring the essentials– When it’s time to visit the dealership and purchase your vehicle, there are certain things you’ll need to bring with you. The most important items are your driver’s license, proof of insurance, your financial information (social security number, banking info), and a method for a down-payment (credit card, check book).

Lastly, remember that we are here to help you in any way we can.  Feel free to contact us about anything you’re curious about – a particular vehicle or general car shopping questions. Our team is committed to providing a great experience for our customers, and we’re willing and ready to assist you in person, on the phone, or online:  3wayautomotive.com

To Save on Gas, Stop Driving Aggressively

 

Whoa, slow down there lead-foot! Turns out the best gas-saving strategy relies entirely on you and your driving style. Moderate drivers will save more on gas than aggressive drivers; and, the difference isn’t minor. Edmunds.com ran tests under real-world conditions and found savings on gas can be as high as 37% – just by taming your inner speed demon.

There’s no need to drastically alter your driving personality either. You don’t need to morph from a jackrabbit into a tortoise. Instead, just follow a few simple tips to become a more moderate driver and watch the savings add up. Ready...set...SLOW!

• Stop gunning it on every green light. The stoplight is not a pole position; there are no prizes awarded to the car quickest off the line. And, besides only really being the first person to the next red light, fast starts and hard braking can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40% – while only reducing travel time by 4%. That just doesn’t add up.

• Accelerate smoothly, and maintain a steady pace. In city driving, nearly 50% of the energy needed to power your car goes to acceleration. If you slowed your 0-to-60-mph acceleration time down from your current 10 seconds to a more normal city pace of 15 seconds, you'll feel the savings immediately.

• Drive the speed limit. Besides safety, there are fuel consumption reasons to obey the law. Fuel efficiency starts dropping at around 60 mph and plummets drastically over 65 mph. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.21 per gallon of gas (at $3.00 per gallon).

• Use cruise control on long stretches of highway driving. Cruise control not only saves fuel by helping your vehicle maintain a steady speed, it will also smooth out the driver's accelerator input preventing nervous "surging." Additionally, it will allow the driver take the “long view” of the road rather than reacting to every minor change in the traffic around them. *In hilly terrain, it is best to turn off the cruise control.

Following these simple tips will help you to burn less fuel – which is better for the environment as well as your pocketbook. As a nice byproduct, you may also end up with less stress on the road and increased safety for yourself and others.