The Real Reason New Cars are Now Required to Have Backup Cameras
October 19, 2002 will never be forgotten by pediatrician, Dr. Greg Gulbransen and his family. It was the night he accidentally backed over his two-year old son, Cameron.
Dr. Gulbransen’s driving was not the issue. He was sober and driving slowly. Checking his rear view and side mirrors and looking over his shoulder to make sure no one was nearby, he put his car in reverse.
Then the unthinkable happened, and there was absolutely nothing Dr. Gulbransen could have done differently to save the life of his toddler. Cameron had crawled underneath the vehicle.
Horrified and outraged, Dr. Gulbransen couldn’t mourn and let it go. Instead, he took action. It would take 16 years, but the physician was determined to make new cars safer for everyone, especially children.
The 2008 Backup Camer...
7 New Car Driving Practices You Should Never Do! (Surprising Advice!)
So, you just bought that new car and you’re dying to find out just what it can do. Not so fast! There are a few things you should know before you put the pedal to the metal and do a wheelie.
Check out our seven new car driving practices you should never do. Follow them and give your vehicle every opportunity to last as long as possible.
About That Pedal to the Medal Thing
Those Jack rabbit starts, you know like you see people do when a traffic light turns green? Avoid them.
They can really harm your engine, especially during the break in period of the first 1,000 miles. Flooring it will just wear down your piston rings and any manufacturer imperfections can be compromised by hot spots. Don’t do it!
Cruise Control
We love cruise control the same as the next person. It’s great for ...
Leasing vs Buying A New Car in 2020: 5 Ways to Know What’s Right for You
Deciding to purchase a new vehicle is a big decision! Deciding on the best avenue can seem like a difficult task. Which is more advantageous, leasing or buying a new car in 2020?
Read on to determine which is the right avenue for you.
Leasing vs Buying A Car: Pros and Cons
Young Drivers
It allows you to have lower monthly payments while you’re paying back student loans or other monthly bill...
To help you answer that important question, we’ve laid out five types of drivers. Some are perfect for leasing; others are perfect for buying.
Read on to determine which is the right avenue for you.
Leasing vs Buying A Car: Pros and Cons
Young Drivers
Starting out is tough! You need every financial advantage possible. So, if you’ve just gotten that first job, or you’re going to college or grad school, PLUS you have little or no credit history, leasing may be the perfect avenue for you!
It allows you to have lower monthly payments while you’re paying back student loans or other monthly bill...
3 Cool New Cars from General Motors in 2020 (You Don’t Want to Miss)
As a Harrisonburg, VA car dealership, we’re always excited when the new year of luxury cars are unveiled. And this year is no exception.
GM has rolled out three new cars that we think are dynamite luxury vehicles. Take a look at these new cars and see if you feel the same way.
Cadillac CT4
This entry level sedan combines the best of both worlds, luxury and enthusiastic performance. Adorned with uncluttered styling, the Cadillac CT4 fills the void left by the discontinuation of the Cadillac ATS. And no doubt it will.
Powered by a 2.0 Liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. (AWD is available on all of the lineup).
The Premium Luxur...
Buying A New or Used Car? Know These Car-Buying Terms First
When you’re buying a used car or a new car from Harrisonburg car dealerships, there are car-buying terms that’s important to know. At Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we want you to be as informed as possible about purchasing a vehicle.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the less common terms used when buying a car orleasing one
Leasing Terms and Fees
Acquisition Fee
Lenders charge this fee to dealers to finance your lease. This fee is passed on to the buyer. Because there is no negotiating room with lenders, dealers rarely have the opportunity to negotiate this fee with the buyer.
Closed-End Lease
This is most common type of car lease. There is an agreed upon term, usually 36 months. At the end of the lease, the lessee has the option to purchase the vehicle at a ...
3 Big Reasons to Buy A Used Truck Instead of a New One
It's no secret that trucks are in big demand today. And that trend shows no sign of slowing down.
So why are trucks so popular? That answer is easy. Trucks have come a long way, baby! Gone are the days of jarring rides, uncomfortable seats, and bare bones gadgets to enjoy.
Today's trucks, including used trucks, are safer, have more comfort features, and softer rides. Plus, trucks now have additional cab seating, a big trend over the last decade.
However, with larger interiors, truck beds have become shorter. The standard 8-foot bed has given way to crew cabs like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Its bed is 5' 8," the shortest bed available, but truck buyers don't seem to mind.
With all these modern conveniences, you might ask why should you buy a used truck? We've got three reasons that ...
How to Choose A Good Used Car
As a quality used car dealership in Harrisonburg, VA, every day we see customers from all walks of life looking for a good used car.
Their top concern is finding a preowned car that meets their lifestyle needs and is also a quality car. These serious car buyers have asked us some really excellent questions.
We’ve listed four of those questions here and our answers.
How Do I Find A Good Used Car?
There are really only two ways to buy a car, through a dealership or privately. If you know the private seller well, you may feel comfortable buying directly from the owner.
Even so, that doesn’t preclude that there could be a mechanical problem with the car, one not known by the seller.
If you’re going to buy privately, we recommend the following:
• Find the market valu...
The Advantages of Buying A Car from Harrisonburg Car Dealer Joe Bowman Chevy
When you’re buying a used car, you’ve got two options. You can buy directly from a private owner or through a Harrisonburg car dealer like Joe Bowman.
Buying privately can be very laidback, so why should you consider our dealership? Here’s our take on it.
Limited Used Car Warranties
Before any used vehicle is placed on our lot for sale, it must pass a rigorous 75-point inspection. Our certified Chevy service experts look for issues, then correct them.
To the best of our ability, we make sure the vehicle is mechanically sound and that every feature on it works beautifully.
Providing the highest level of car care and customer service is extremely important to us! That’s why we back up our work with either a 30 or 90-day warranty on all of our used vehicles, depending on ...
Car Maintenance Problems: 5 Simple Ways to Avoid Them!
As a used car dealer in Harrisonburg, VA, we see all makes and models of vehicles come through our dealership service department. Our Chevy certified technicians have seen all kinds of problems on a wide variety of makes and models.
We’ve learned over the years, that some of the biggest car maintenance problems car owners face are simply because they avoid performing simple, routine tasks.
That’s why we thought we’d share some of the simple ways you can avoid these problems while preserving and extending your car’s life.
Car Wash
Yes, it seems too simple. You might be wondering how washing your car can keep it problem-free. Think about it. In the winter, road salts stick like glue to the undercarriage. In the summer, pollen, bugs, sap, bird droppings, and pollen ...
Harrisonburg Auto Loans: Bank Loan or Dealer Financing?
When you’re ready to buy a new or newer car, truck, or SUV, financing rates are always a top concern. And it should be!
Finding banks that offer Harrisonburg auto loans are easy enough to do. And you’ll find competitive rates.
But many of our customers are surprised to learn that dealer financing is competitive with local lending institutions. In fact, we can meet or beat most other financing rates.
How Does Dealer Financing Work?
Here at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we can offer competitive rates because of our large financing network of lenders. This allows us the advantage of shopping around to find the best auto loan rate that fits your budget.
What’s more, our car loans are simple interest loans with no pre-payment penalties. You can pay additional am...
5 Essential Tips for Buying A Used Truck
There are a lot of drivers in the Harrisonburg, VA area that want a solid, reliable truck to use for all kinds of reasons.
However, there’s a lot involved when it comes to buying a used truck that’s right for your lifestyle and budget. That’s why preparation is key.
It does take some research and time, but a little bit of effort now will mean you get the right truck at the right price. Check out our top 5 essential tips for picking the right next used truck.
Used Truck Buying Checklist
Know What You Want
More than anything, be honest about what kind of pickup you want to buy. Make a list of the features and benefits and stick to the list. It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of the chase. Knowing ahead of time exactly what you’re looking to buy will keep you fo...
0% Auto Loan Financing: Is It Really Free Money?
Who doesn’t love a good deal? Everyone! So, it’s no wonder that people get excited about 0% auto loan financing. Many questions abound about this almost mythical loan option. What is it? How does it work? We dive in and answer the most common questions.
What Does 0% Finance Mean?
It means that you’re borrowing money to buy the vehicle but paying no interest on the money borrowed. Essentially, you’re paying the same amount a cash buyer would but with the privilege of spreading payments out over a set term.
Who Offers 0% Financing and Why?
Automakers generally offer this type of loan to sell more of a particular vehicle. For example, 0% financing typically occurs during the summer to grow more sales for outgoing models.
What is the Catch with 0% Financing?
There isn’t on...
