To Buy or Not to Buy: Here’s the Low-Down on Used Cars

The idea of buying a new car is alluring for countless reasons. It’s yours, and it’s never been anyone else’s. Bottom line: buying new comes with the shameless pride of owning something cutting-edge and envy-inducing. But the benefits of buying used can save you money, give you that same feeling of buying new (yes, it’s true), and provide you with reliable transportation well into the future.

1.     You’re going to save money—a lot of money. On average, used cars are usually priced around 50 percent less than new cars. The benefit of buying used becomes even more evident when you learn that a new car loses around 20 percent of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot and another 10 percent during the first year of ownership.

2.     The majority of the depreciation has already happened. By purchasing a used vehicle, you skip the 30 percent depreciation that occurs in the first year.

3.     You’re still going to be driving a reliable vehicle. The fact is that cars are lasting a lot longer than they did in previous decades. According to research done by IHS Automotive in 2016, the average car in the U.S. will last for over 11 years. If a customer is still hesitant to buy a used car, they can opt for to buy a certified pre-owned vehicle. That means a car has gone through a rigorous checklist to make sure it’s reliable and meets manufacturer standards.

4.     You’re going to save even more money. The savings don’t end when you purchase a used vehicle. A used vehicle is worthless, so it costs less to insure. Additionally, the cost to register a used vehicle is going to be less every year.

5.     You’re going to help save the environment. Almost 25 percent of the carbon footprint created by a car comes from the manufacturing and shipping process. So, purchasing a used vehicle reduces the carbon footprint when compared to buying a newer model.

New cars smell great, but let’s face it. Nothing beats the smell of extra money in your wallet, which is exactly what you’ll have when you purchase a used vehicle.  If you’re still unsure about your potential car purchase, meet with our sales team at Larry H. Miller Super Ford to see which options will best fit your needs. We’ll make sure you get a great car for a price that will have you and your bank account smiling for years to come.

How to Choose Between All-Season or Winter Tires

It’s that time of year when you must decide if you should keep your all-season tires or opt for winter ones. A lot of people question if they really need winter tires or not. Every driver’s needs are different depending on the weather and road conditions they encounter throughout the year.

 “If you live in a climate where you consistently see temperatures in the low 40s or below for an extended period of time, I think that winter tires should be a consideration,” says Robert Saul, the director of consumer product strategy for Bridgestone North America. So, a good rule of thumb for answering this question if you live in a place where temperatures are very low, is yes. Let’s take a look at the differences between all-season tires and winter tires.

All-season tires are built to provide a quiet ride, good tread life, and good fuel economy. Not only that, they are also built to handle a variety of road conditions. This includes: dry roads, wet roads, and light winter driving conditions. All-season tires are great year-round if you live in a place where it rarely snows and the winter temperatures are mild.

Winter tires are not made for all seasons, but are built to perform better in winter conditions like heavy snow, ice, and slush in low temperatures. According to Consumer Reports, tests consistently show that winter tires deliver better grip for the snow and icy surfaces. If you have to drive in snowy conditions, winter tires out-perform most all-season and all-terrain tires with better stopping and starting ability.

Think of all-season tires like tennis shoes. You can wear tennis shoes in the summer and winter but they are not ideal for all situations. If you were at the beach you’d want flip flops and if you were walking through the snow you’d want boots. This is the same with tires. You want what’s best for the situation at hand. Whatever you decide, we'll have them ready for you here at Larry H. Miller Super Ford. So, stop by and get your new tires today!