Car Buying Tips

WHY BUY A USED CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP VS. PRIVATE SELLER?

If you are in the market for a quality pre-owned vehicle you may ask yourself, should I buy a used car from a dealership near me or a private seller? Which is the best place to buy a used car? The truth of the matter is, there’s more than one way to buy a used car. For most car shoppers in the market for a used vehicle, the choice boils down to purchasing from a pre-owned car dealership in your neighborhood vs. from a private seller.

Buying a used car from a dealer means you can get a wider selection of vehicles to fit any budget, better financing options and all-around peace of mind. Purchasing a used car from a private seller can also be a lot riskier than purchasing from a pre-owned dealership.

Used Car Inventory Finance Center

Vehicle Selection

When you buy from a dealer vs. a private car seller, you’ll have a much wider selection of pre-owned vehicles from which to choose. Whether you’re in the market for an affordable family car or a heavy-duty work truck, or a sporty SUV for cruising the town, a dealership will likely carry the vehicle you want or may be able to find one for you. At used car dealerships such as Keith McCoy, you can find cars from all sorts of makes and models, equipped with everything from heated seats to leather upholstery to navigation.

Peace of Mind

Buying a private sale used car can be risky, especially if you are viewing listings online without looking over a vehicle in person before purchasing. It’s important to ask the right questions, take the car for a test drive, and make sure it has adequate service records. If you’re not careful, you could end up with a car that has serious problems, which could cost you hundreds or even thousands in repairs.

Purchasing a used vehicle from a reputable used car dealership can give you the peace of mind you need when you are in the market for your next car, truck, SUV or van. Keith McCoy takes pride in every car we sell on our lot. That’s why we offer a Great Limited Warranty* on each vehicle. You won’t get either of those benefits from a private seller!

Shop Quality Used Cars at Keith McCoy!

Buying a used car from a local dealership is an easy way to find the car you want with reasonable financing plans and a quality guarantee that is unmatched by private sellers.

Do you have questions about our used inventory? Contact us today, or visit one of our locations near you.

IMPROVE YOUR GAS MILEAGE WITH THESE TIPS

SHOP OUR VEHICLES

When most people think about the cost of buying their next new vehicle, they often only consider the price of purchasing the vehicle itself. However, there are a lot more factors that are involved in calculating the total cost of the purchase.

One of the easier variable costs that you can control in your vehicle is fuel economy, especially as fuel prices continue to climb higher as we enter the summer driving season. In fact, some experts predict the national average gasoline price per gallon could reach over $6 by the end of summer.

Below are several simple steps you can take to reduce your fuel consumption and improve your gas mileage.

Tip #1: Avoid Speeding

Most people don’t think about how fast they’re accelerating when they drive, especially on roads and routes they are familiar with or drive often. However, accelerating too quickly burns more fuel and does a number to the overall fuel economy of your vehicle.

Many late-model used cars even have systems in place to tell you if you’re driving efficiently, so they can help you save on gas. In some cases, these vehicles even switch driving modes from highway to city or through different driving conditions, allowing the vehicle to operate the most efficiently for conditions.

Tip #2: Brake Slowly & Don’t Tailgate

Take your time and give yourself a little room between your car and the car in front of you. When it’s time to slow down or come to a stop, take your foot off the accelerator, and let engine braking do some of the work.

By letting the engine slow itself you won’t have to slam on the brakes, and you’ll use less gas overall. In some hybrid vehicles, engine braking can even be turned into power for the vehicle.

Braking slowly can also make the brakes on your car last longer and potentially even help you avoid an accident, especially during rain and in winter months when roads may be slick from ice and water.

Tip #3: Make Sure Your Tires are Ready for the Road

Tire pressure and tread are two factors that play into the fuel economy of your car, truck, SUV or van. Tires help your vehicle grip the road and can make all the difference when it comes to performance and fuel efficiency.

Tire pressure levels affect how much gas your car uses. If your car’s tires are not properly inflated, they can increase the drag on your car, which burns more gas and hurts your fuel economy.

The tread level left on your tires also affects how much gas you use. If your treads are worn too thin, your vehicle will work harder to speed up and slow down, which causes you to burn more fuel. Low tread is also unsafe and can cause you to get into an accident, especially in rainy and winter road conditions.

Tip #4: Make Sure You’re Using the Right Type of Gas

It’s important to use the right type of gas for your car. While most cars use regular unleaded gasoline, some cars recommend premium gas and will even provide better horsepower and fuel economy if you use it. Other cars require premium gas.

Be sure to check your owner’s manual to see what type of gas you should be using for your car. Your mechanic can also help answer any questions you may have about your vehicle and the fuel it needs to run efficiently.

Tip #5: Avoid Idling Your Vehicle

Idling refers to when a vehicle’s engine is running but the car or truck is not in motion, effectively wasting gas. This can happen when a car is started but not yet shifted into drive when it’s parked but not yet turned off, or even when sitting at traffic lights.

If you can, try to avoid traffic and other situations that involve running a car while it’s parked. Your wallet, your neighbors and the environment will thank you.

Tip #6: Use Cruise Control When Appropriate

Cruise control will help your car maintain an even speed, which saves gas. Many late-model used cars even come with an adaptive cruise control option, which allows you to set your car’s cruising speed without having to constantly adjust it. If the car in front of you slows down, your car automatically will too. Once that car switches lanes or speeds up, your car will automatically climb back up to your set cruising speed.

Bonus Tip: Enroll in a Fuel Rewards Program

Beyond what you can do with your vehicle in terms of maintenance and driving habits, enrolling in a fuel rewards program can help you save at the pump. Many grocery stores such as Kroger, Safeway, and Hy-Vee all have programs that give their customers fuel discounts and incentives for shopping in the store for groceries.

Some national fuel brands offer programs as well. Be sure to check at your favorite gas station or grocery store and see if they have any programs that you can join and make your dollar go farther for fuel at the pump.

Consider trading up

If your old vehicle isn’t performing quite as it used to it may be time to trade up to a pre-owned vehicle that will get better gas mileage. At Keith McCoy we have a wide variety of cars, SUVs and small trucks that can help improve your fuel economy and save a few bucks at the pump.