Click Here to see my latest article explaining how actual values relate to Blue Book values.
Actual Values Versus Blue Book Values
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Manufacturer Warranty Comparisons
Here is an excellent chart showing a comparison of Manufacturer Warranties for all new car makes sold in the USA.
6 Myths About The Detroit 3
Here’s a recent article that talks about 6 myths of our Domestic Vehicle Manufacturers negatively affecting their current reputation. Some of the best vehicle values out there today can be found in certain domestic autos.
The Importance of Wearing Your Seat Belt
According to data gathered by the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), seat belt use in 2008 is approximately 83 percent during daylight hours, a gain from 82 percent in 2007. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that approximately 270 lives are saved for every 1 percent increase in belt use.
That being said, a large number of drivers are still not wearing seat belts. The introduction of seat belts in 1973 and the gradual enforcement over the years has saved many lives, but drivers need to understand the importance of always wearing a seat belt – whether you are driving on a highway or just going around the corner to the local supermarket.
According to www.buckleupnc.org, seat belts are designed to reduce injury in many different ways, such as:
1. Preventing ejection. People thrown from a vehicle are four times more likely to be killed than those who remain inside. Occupants ejected from a motor vehicle are up to 14 times more likely to sustain cervical spine injury than those occupants who remain within the vehicle.
2. Load crash forces on the strongest parts of the body. For an older child or adult, the strongest parts of the body are the hips and shoulders.
3. Spread crash forces over a wide area of the body. This puts less stress on any one part of the body. Lap and shoulder combination seat belts spread the crash forces across a large area of the body.
4. Allowing the body to slow down gradually. Vehicles are engineered to crush in a controlled manner during a collision. Occupants can take advantage of the vehicle slow down only if they become a “part” of the vehicle using a seat belt.
5. Protect the head, neck, and spinal column. A shoulder belt helps to keep the head and upper body away from the hard interior surfaces of the vehicle, which can cause damage to the occupants.
The importance of a correctly fit seat belt is also often overlooked. It cannot provide maximum protection if it is not worn correctly. The shoulder belt should cross the shoulder between the neck and arm and the lap belt must be as low as possible and at least touching the thighs.
Drivers or passengers should never tuck the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back, which can be dangerous. You should also make it your responsibility to check that any passengers in your vehicle are wearing a seat belt and if not, politely ask them to do so.
Loyalty to Buyers – Not to Inventory!
My PROCESS as your Vehicle Consultant
Vehicle Purchase Time Table:
- Customer Interview 30-45 min- Inspect Vehicle Trade (if any)
- Initial Information – Credit Application & Drivers License(s)
- Credit only gets pulled once.
- Best to Contact Who – How – When?
- Vehicle Use?
- Leasing vs. Buying?
- Narrow Focus – New/Used, Models, Options, Colors
- Shop Vehicle Trade 1 Day? – if needed
- Initial Vehicle Search 1-3 Days
- Vehicle Test Drives 1 Day? -if needed
- Selection/Pricing 1-2 Days Independent Inspection (if used vehicle)
- Up-fit & Preparation 1-2 Days? if needed
- Funding & Vehicle Delivery 1-2 Days
- License Plates Delivered 30-40 days later
- Continued Service After the Sale:
Whenever you need it for all your vehicles!
TOTAL TIME START TO FINISH:
As little as 2-3 days up to several weeks for some Used Vehicles
Must say, I’m “sold” on the whole car broker process. Here’s my story.
My wife Michelle decided to buy an SUV in December. She knew what she wanted, and we had a little time. I’d known Kurt for several years, and decided to use his services for the purchase. I was skeptical that I couldn’t do it better myself, but was willing to give it a try.
- Kurt brought 3 SUVs in from different dealers – an FJ Cruiser, a Nissan Murano, and a Volvo XC-90. We drove to his office, and drove all 3. No driving all over town. Very Cool. Michelle decided on the XC-90. Michelle had NO flexibility on some issues like 3rd row seating, black leather, and a moonroof. On color, she was a little more flexible.
- Kurt had a buyer go to a Volvo “lease-return” auction, where Volvo auctions cars off to dealers. We went through this process three times, with different buyers in Kurt’s network, in three different cities. Once, we couldn’t get the car at the right price. Second time, the car we wanted smelled of smoke, and another had been wrecked. Kurt’s buyers protected us. No travel for me: I never did anything but talk on the phone w/ Kurt. Way Cool.
- Kurt handled the financing for us. To make sure we were doing ok, we checked w/ our credit union where our Volvo S-40 was financed. Kurt was quite competitive, and we went with him. We also leased, because the rate was better. We’re now very thankful that we leased, because the car has lost value due to gas mileage. If that continues to be the case, it’s the bank’s problem, not ours. Also Very Cool.
- The Volvo XC-90 got to town. Kurt had it inspected by an outside company, and it passed w/ flying colors. I got the report.
- Kurt took it to the dealership. He had all the available “Warranty Work” done on it. It was all little stuff, like plastic rings around the door lock knobs, but still. Outstanding. Then, he had it detailed.
- Kurt BROUGHT IT TO OUR HOME. Delivered the car right to my door. A ½ hour drive from his house.
- About 3 weeks later, he brought me my license plates. I didn’t even have to go to the DMV.
However, the best part:
>>>>>>>>>> All this, and he brought us the car for several hundred less than predicted at the beginning of the process, and $3,000 less than we expected to spend if I’d done it at the dealership! Kurt buys at dealer prices, but doesn’t have the overhead.
When I compare this to my experience in February (after the Volvo S-40, our other car, was totaled) it was night and day. Kurt was out of town on vacation, and I had to have a car. In hindsight, I should have rented a car for two weeks and used him again.
In short – A wholehearted, unmitigated thumbs-up to the process, and to how Kurt took care of us. I’ll never do it any other way again. You couldn’t be in better hands.
Matt
Sr. Mortgage Planner
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