It's Tax Time Again!

It’s tax time again and we all know that means that people will be making big purchases. Sales for everything from large televisions to washing machines go up when people start getting their tax returns. But none of this more so than vehicles.  People often use tax time for investing in a new ride and while there are many options to choose from in Charlotte, NC Crown Auto Sales and Finance provides and unique service that many others do not. The difference is the variety of versatility of the services we offer to our customers.

First off Crown Auto Sales and Finance is a locally owned and operated business that is not only a well-established name but also a member of the Charlotte community. Everyone from the owner to the guy the details the cars before they are taken to the lot for sale are life-long Charlotteans. We are not just a company, we are your family, friends, neighbors, and fellow church-goers. While we uphold ourselves to the highest levels of professionalism it’s actually our personal investment in our community that makes us take care of every single customer that comes into one of our dealerships as if they were one of our closest friends.

Above all else it’s our business model that sets us apart in the used car market here in Charlotte. You see, we maintain an in-house lender that allows us to finance our cars per the economic situation of each customer. We actually help you determine what you can afford and then set up a payment structure that best suits you. As a customer the benefits to this are very evident. Instead of a traditional dealer who has already determined what you pay before you ever walk onto the lot, we work the other way around, using the financial information that you provide us with to work with you to get you the car you want at a price you can afford. Essentially this gives power of determining the payment scheme over to the customer.

Maybe you’ve had credit problems in the past. With the economy who hasn’t? We honestly don’t hold that over you at all. A lot of dealers say “Your job is your credit” but here it’s the only way we operate. As a Buy Here Pay Here dealer we don’t check your credit history.  No matter what has happened in the past we can still work with you. We’ll work with you even if a company has repossessed a vehicle that you had purchased in the past. Even if that company was us. 

Then again let’s say that you are in the market for a used car but honestly don’t think you can make the $14,000 or $15,000 investment. That’s not a problem at here with us. We carry vehicles for just about any price range from luxury vehicles that go for $17,000 to compact cars that are priced at $7,000. And no the less expensive cars aren’t whatever we find at the back of the lot that’s held together with bubblegum and baling wire either. These vehicles have been repaired, serviced, inspected and maintained the same as the rest of our inventory. In fact even if you come to one of our locations and don’t find what you want tell us and we will pull it from another one of our lots or even find it and purchase it for you and let you know when it has arrived. So no matter what you are looking for you will leave Crown Automotive happy and in the used car you want.  One of thing is that we are always close to you. We have lots serving North Charlotte, East Charlotte, Stanly County, North Carolina, and York County, South Carolina. We are by far one of the largest used car dealers in the Charlotte area and beyond so no matter where you are we can serve you.

But don’t take my word for it. Come down to your nearest Crown Auto dealership and try it out for size. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. There is a reason that we have gone from two cars sitting on a car lot to four dealerships spreading across three counties and that reason is excellence. So come and stop by and get professional service with a person touch with us at Crown Automotive and Finance, where we provide cars and credit for everyone!

To see the best selection of used cars in Charlotte, NC just view our inventory at BuyAtCrown.com.

Should You Buy A Used Car?

New car dealers are offering more and bigger incentives in order to get people onto their car lots and into a brand new car. That leaves many people asking the question, “If I can get a new car for cheap, why would I ever buy a used one?” While conventional wisdom would dictate that something new is always better than something used, the fact of the matter is that in reality in a field such as car buying it's not quite so cut and dry. Even with new car dealers the used or “pre-owned” market still takes up a huge chunk of their business. Really it should be taken on an individual basis. However there are a number of factors that can help guide you in your car-buying choice as well as highlight why a used car may be your best bet.

Money: There is an age-old adage that states that “as soon as you drive a car off of the lot it loses value.” That's actually true. Within the first five years of a car's existence it loses up to 20% of it's value no matter how well you take care of it. This is important because eventually you will need to trade it in for another car and when you do you will see a greatly diminished return in a very costly investment. Cars are actually a long-term major investment and many customers lose sight of this.

However purchasing a used car has the opposite effect. After the first five years of a car's life their value hardly diminishes at all meaning that you will see much more of the money that you invested in paying that car off come back to you when you trade it in to get your next vehicle. Essentially you are using the fact that cars depreciate in value to your favor instead of against you.

Also let’s not forget that you will of course save money by driving a used car anyway. No matter the incentives offered by car dealers for their new inventory a used car will be cheaper. How much cheaper it will be will be due to a number of factors such as the vehicle's age, it's mileage, the amenities available on a particular model, whether or not it has ever been in an accident, as well as whether or not it is in the same model year as the currently produced version. Basically if a used car uses the same body style as its new self the price will be a little higher. Nevertheless you should save on average three to four thousand dollars if you purchase a vehicle that is a few years old when compared to a new version of the same make and model of car.

Let's also not forget that a well-maintained used car that is only a few years old and that has a good history will still yield about the same gas mileage as a new vehicle as well as give you lower insurance premiums. These factors make a used car an even more economically viable option in both the long and short term.

Efficiency: The fact of the matter is that most used cars are within 10 years old. Within that time frame automobile manufacturers have taken great pains to increase their car's efficiency and reliability. The former conventional wisdom that a car with 100,000 miles on it is headed for the junkyard no longer holds true. Today a well maintained car will last well over 200,000 with few problems. In fact the average age of vehicles on American roads today is 11 and a half years. That's the highest it has ever been. While a sluggish economy has a part to play in that number it's also due to the fact that since people's vehicles are more reliable and lasting longer they have less of a need to replace them. Reliability is not as big of a factor in the used car buying process as it used to be.

This is not to say that you should assume that every used car is problem free. Try to stick with a used car dealer that has high customer satisfaction ratings; that offers their own warranties, and that offers vehicle history reports. Also have the vehicle checked by a mechanic of your choosing and most importantly trust your gut.

So while new cars dealers may still try their best to offer incentives and deals to entice car buyers a used vehicle still offers a much better deal in both the long and short term for discerning car buyers.

Used Car Buying in Charlotte

Take a drive down North Tryon Street. Start near Uptown Charlotte and go straight onto the UNCC area. As you go make sure to look to your left and your right and you’ll find a landscape dotted with car lots. This is just one street in a city of over 700,000 people. When you spread out to the metropolitan area that surrounds Charlotte that number jumps to well over a million and the number of used car dealers multiplies accordingly. The argument could be that the most difficult part of buying a used car in Charlotte is actually finding the right dealer to go to.

But the reason that these used car dealers exists is quiet simply because there is a demand for them. Charlotte is very much a new city, with most of its urban growth occurring within the last 50 years. Unlike older metropolitan areas such as Boston or New York where urban planning envisioned the city as a central hub for business, recreation, and living, Charlotte is much more decentralized in its development. If you want a good cup of coffee you might want to go to NoDa, if you want a good movie or book you might try Plaza Midwood, and if you want authentic Mexican food you will end up some place in South Charlotte.  And it stretches on from there. If you want to go to the mall you usually will drive to Pineville or Concord, and some of the best golf courses are down in Rock Hill. In short, Charlotte is a city where you drive.

Besides that used car sales are the most lucrative part of the automotive industry, and the options to buy a used car in Charlotte are as diverse as they are numerous. Dealerships range from large multi-state super stores to small dealers selling salvaged titles and pipe dreams. While you should always go for the dealer and the car that is right for you, your first inclination may be to run to the larger dealers out there and snap up the first thing you see. But  you should consider weighing your options first. Before you ever hit the lots you should do your research online. While it may not behoove you to go crawling through car manufacturers sites since you are in the used car market, most car dealers maintain their inventory online in a number of places. The first would be their actual site (such as Crown Auto’s vehicle inventory is hosted at buyatcrown.com). Searching for a car dealer by name will provide you with the added benefit of seeing customer reviews from places like Yelp, Google, and Yellowpages.com. Next on the list would be the large, directory style sites like Autotrader and Cars.com. While their inventory doesn’t show every car for sale in the area it does give you the option to find something that you can afford while combing through several different dealers’ inventories. Finally there would be the online ad-generating websites, obviously the most famous of which is Craigslist. While such sites are known for shadey business practices, more times than not costly items such as vehicles are tightly monitored, which results in excellent quality. However this comes with the major drawback of you passively browsing instead of actively searching, giving you less control over what you see.

Whatever the method you use however, make sure to do proper research. With a used car many reviews will be available from others who have driven the same model of vehicle for a number of years. Make sure to check for any recalls or known issues with that particular make and model of vehicle, and if possible pull up a CarFax report on the particular vehicle you intend to buy. Remember those old GI Joe PSA’s that used to say “Knowing is half the battle.”? Well the same holds true for buying your next used car. Equip yourself with as much knowledge as you can. Then contact the dealer.

After you contact the dealer, and obviously take your used car for a text spin, get it checked out by an independent mechanic. While we aren’t saying that car salesmen aren’t honest (after all we’re car salesmen and we are pretty honest) it’s always better to have a second opinion. Once this is done now you have to sit down with the dealer and talk turkey. Notice that coming down on the price of a vehicle and coming down on your monthly payments are two different things. If the dealer lowers what you are paying every month, the vehicle is still the same price and you will end up paying more in the long run due to interest. Always doublecheck all of the paperwork before you sign, and most of all use your head.

Follow our advice and no matter where you go, your next used car buying experience will be a positive one.

5 Steps to Getting A Used Car

1. Research your prospective used car.
The used-car market is like a huge haystack, and while it may seem tough to find that needle, a bit of online research can help things considerably. First, go to BuyatCrown.com . From here, you can either input the car you want, or scroll to the "Select a Make" section and click on an automaker you are interested in. You'll then get a list of cars to choose from, sorted by model year. Click on any given year and you will see a model review (if there is one available). Read the reviews from different model years to understand any significant changes that have occurred.

The next thing to do is get an idea of maintenance costs on any car you're considering. Proper maintenance is especially important on a used car, since it may not have a warranty to protect it if anything breaks down. People buy used cars as a way to save money, but often overlook the cost of maintenance, which might end up pushing them beyond the limits of their budget.

2. Figure out where to shop for your used car. 
There are a number of places to purchase a used car.  Crown Auto Sales and Finance offers no-haggle pricing and cars that are in good condition, but its prices are a bit higher than you'll find elsewhere. Private-party sellers have lower prices and can be negotiated with more easily, but the burden is on the buyer to get the car inspected. Some dealers sell certified pre-owned cars that are in excellent condition and backed by factory warranties. This will appeal to buyers who want to minimize the risks of buying a used car — and are willing to pay extra for it. Independent used-car lots are another option, but can vary wildly on price and the condition level of their cars.

 The inventory tool has used car listings at participating dealerships. If you want to browse private-party listings, you can go to sites like CarLotFinance.com .

3. Test-drive and inspect the vehicle. 
Once you've narrowed the field down to a couple of candidates, it's very important to thoroughly check out their condition and take them for a test-drive.

A thorough vehicle inspection can shed light on potential problems or tell you whether the car has been in an accident. Don't hesitate to bring your mechanic to see the car, or to request a mobile inspection. Take the car for a spin to listen for any unusual noises and to see if you like the way it drives. If you are an audiophile, now is also the time to test-drive the audio system.

A vehicle history report from such services as Carfax and AutoCheck or the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is worth the money and could help tip the scales in favor of one car over another.

4. Get your financing in order. 
Once you have found the car you want, you'll want to move fast so it isn't sold out from under you. If you're paying cash, there is little else to do except withdraw the funds or get a cashier's check when it's time to do the deal.

If you are financing the vehicle, it is a good idea to get pre-approved for a loan. This way, you'll know your purchasing budget and the interest rate for which you will qualify. Some lenders won't offer an auto loan if the vehicle is past a certain age. In this case, your next move might be to apply for a personal loan. Just be aware that those interest rates are typically higher than for auto loans.

5. Negotiate and close the deal. 
Don't stress out over a little bit of haggling. If you've done your homework on the car, you will be in an excellent position to negotiate. You should be able to determine a fair price for the car you've settled on by appraising the vehicle and getting its True Market Value (TMV®). Make sure you input the correct miles and choose the applicable options. The tool will show you what you can expect to pay for the vehicle, depending on whether the seller is a private party or a dealership. You'll also get the car's estimated trade-in value.

Keep in mind that TMV is an average. You may end up above or below the price, but as long as you get reasonably close, you've paid a fair price. Also, know that the margins for used cars are greater than for new cars at dealerships. Don't be afraid to make a more aggressive offer than you would if you were shopping for a new car.

Most private sellers aren't as experienced in negotiating as a dealer would be. Use this to your advantage and make a fair but aggressive offer. If the seller turns it down, be persistent and counter with a slightly higher amount.

When the time comes to complete the sale, there are a few important items to take care of. Have the seller get a smog test for the car, if it is required by your state. Check the registration to ensure it is current. Make sure the seller gives you the title (also called a "pink slip"). If the owner still owes money on the vehicle, you may have to contact his bank or credit union to complete the transfer of ownership. Some states require the seller and buyer to complete a bill of sale. This document is good to have in case you are pulled over and haven't yet registered the vehicle. 

Crown Car Care Tips

Tip 1
Check and change the oil. No single step will help an engine last more than regular oil and filter changes will. Conversely, nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh-oil changes.

Tip 2
Flush the cooling system and change coolant once a year. A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up inside the cooling system.

Tip 3
Change out transmission and differential oils. While not requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed according to service intervals. Always use transmission fluid or gear oil of the recommended type and viscosity.

Tip 4
Keep it clean. While washing the outside of the vehicle is obvious, most everything the vehicle ran over can also get stuck to the underside. Hosing off winter salt and road grime is a good idea.

Tip 5
Everything with moving parts needs grease to survive. This ball joint went into early retirement due to poor lubrication.

Tip 6
Nothing keeps paint looking good and protected like a coat of quality wax. Apply wax at least every six months.

Tip 7
Driveline components such as u-joints also require regular lubrication. The driveline may have to be removed to access the zerk grease fitting.

Tip 8
Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the shade, using a window deflector screen, and applying a UV protectant to prevent the plastic and vinyl from drying out.

Tip 9
Inspect, clean, and repack wheel bearings with wheel bearing grease according to service intervals. Wheel bearings and grease are inexpensive compared to spindle and hub replacement, or liberated wheels rolling down the road ahead of you.

Tip 10
Brake fluid is hygroscopic. This means it is adept at attracting moisture. Moisture causes components to corrode and fail. Replace fluid and bleed system once a year. Brake fluid is cheap. Calipers, hoses, and sensors are expensive.