As a Harrisonburg used car dealership of some 60 years, we’ve seen many trends in car buying. In general, one trend remains true. Most people tend to shy away from buying high mileage cars because they think it’s riskier.

The general assumption is that with higher mileage comes the risk of more things going wrong. That may be true to an extent, but in general, the public’s fear of high mileage cars is overblown especially when the vehicle is a late model.

There are several very good reasons for buying a late model high mileage used car. We’ve outlined them below.

Late Model High Mileage Is Better Than Older with Less Miles

You might scratch your head at our logic but hear us out. Parts on a car wear out, especially the rubber components, regardless of mileage. That’s true with older cars. Plus, older cars with lower mileage haven’t been driven much. That means they haven’t been lubricated regularly.

Cars were meant to be driven. So, late model cars with high mileage tend to last longer because the car tends to lubricate itself more often, burning up carbon which is helpful for extending engine life.

You Buy and Sell Often

If you buy and sell cars often, the depreciation curve of the car flattens out. You can put extra miles on the car without losing much in value.

Your Teen or College Student Needs A Second Hand Car

A late model high mileage car is the way to go for families with young drivers. It’s an inexpensive, yet safe way, to get them driving. These vehicles tend to have many extras, including safety extras, that help parents feel good, while teens like the bells and whistles. Plus, insurance costs tend to be less.

A Second Family Car

Sometimes families need a second car to supplement their growing driving needs. For stay-at-home moms and spouses working from home, a late model high mileage vehicle is the perfect answer!

When you buy a Bowman used car or truck, you have further assurance with your high mileage vehicle. Every pre-owned car and truck in our inventory must pass a 75-point inspection or it isn’t eligible for sale.

If we find anything that needs repairing or replacing, we do so immediately. Then we back up our work with a 30-day guarantee.

What’s more, for as long as you own the vehicle you get free state inspections. And, because you bought your car from Joe Bowman Chevrolet, you get priority service scheduling over someone who didn’t buy their car from us.

Lastly, we also provide courtesy transportation if you need one when your vehicle is in the shop. There are many great reasons to buy a second hand late model high mileage car. But as with anything, the decision must fit your lifestyle!

Stop by Bowman Chevrolet Harrisonburg dealership. We’ll be glad to help you find what you’re looking for. Or, check out our inventory online.

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Kristi and her husband wanted to upgrade their Silverado 1500 to a Silverado 2500. They found the Silverado they wanted and purchased it. But they thought they’d sell their old Silverado 1500 on their own.

Kristi posted the truck on one of the Buy, Sell, or Trade sites. She added pictures and all of the information about the vehicle.

Then the texts started:

• What color is it?
• How old is it?
• Are there any dings or dents?

All of the information was listed on the site, but people weren’t reading what was written. Frustrated, she and her husband decided to try a Harrisonburg car dealer to sell their vehicle. Nervous about it, she came to Joe Bowman Auto Plaza.

“The woman was very nice and professional. She went over the entire vehicle and pointed out some dings, but she said they weren’t a big deal. Then she made me a great offer,” Kristi said.

Since Kristi had made an appointment with another car dealer in Harrisonburg, she felt obligated to keep that appointment. So, she did. When she arrived, the gentleman addressed her as “little lady,” which did not go over well with her.

Then he proceeded to point out the same minor flaws that the Joe Bowman Auto Plaza appraiser had. But this gentleman felt the flaws were more significant and made a much lower offer.

Kristi declined and went back to Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. There, she got a check for her Silverado 1500 within 30 minutes and Bowman Chevy got a great used vehicle to sell.

“I was so impressed with the professionalism of this dealership,” Kristi said. “I would definitely come back here to buy a car!”

Yes, We Buy Used Cars and Trucks from Consumers

People are often surprised that they can sell their vehicle to us even though they aren’t buying a vehicle from us. We’re always looking for quality used cars and trucks like Kristi’s. If the vehicle has been well-cared for and has lower mileage, we are interested in buying it!

We have also been known to buy good quality high mileage vehicles under the right circumstances. High mileage vehicles that have received regular maintenance and good care are an excellent choice as a second vehicle for many families.

Whether it’s a teenager, a college student, or a family that needs a second car, high mileage vehicles are often the answer.

So, whether you buy a vehicle from us or not, remember that our Chevrolet dealership is always open to buying your pre-owned vehicle. We take away the hassle of getting your vehicle sold.
And we promise to treat you fairly.

Just ask Kristi.

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It could be a bang, a clank, a rattle, or that funny noise you can’t describe, cars and trucks have a unique way of talking to us.

Car problems can be tough to diagnose because one problem can cause several symptoms. Conversely, multiple problems can have one symptom. As a new and used car dealership here in Harrisonburg, our service department has literally heard it all!

And we’re here to tell you that those noises are your car’s way of telling you it needs attention. That’s why we’ve rounded up our 7 favorite weird car noises and what you should do when you hear them.

1-The Banshee Squeal When You Brake and Under the Hood

You know that high pitched squeal that comes from your tires when you step on the brake? That’s your brake pad indicator getting way too cozy with the rotor. It’s actually rubbing up against the rotor.

While this isn’t an emergency, your brake pad indicator is letting you know that your brake pads have worn down and need to be replaced. You’re not in immediate danger, but you do need to make an appointment for a brake service and inspection. We recommend doing so before the squeal turns into a howl.

The other banshee squeal that comes under the hood is a classic sign of a worn or lose serpentine belt. This is definitely cause for concern! The serpentine belt powers all of your car’s major systems.

That squeal is the belt warning you that it’s about to break. And that’s bad because when a serpentine belt breaks, you’re left with a car that won’t go. Literally. It’s best to make an appointment pronto to get this attended to.

2-Sounds Like A Grumpy Cat

No, not that Grumpy Cat. The one that sounds like ” rur rur rur,” when you try to start the engine. That’s the battery telling you it’s losing juice and having a hard time powering the engine.

This is not so much a safety issue as it is a convenience issue. The battery is failing, you just don’t know when it will fail, leaving you in a lurch. You don’t know if the failure is due to age, low on fluid, or if it needs a jump.

Head on over and visit our service department. One of our certified Chevy mechanics will find out how much life is left in your battery.

3-Your Rear Has a Roar and A Rumble

It’s a loud roaring sound that’s coming from under the driver’s seat somewhere. Most likely, you have a crack or leak in your exhaust system’s manifold.

That roaring would normally be silenced by the muffler. But when the exhaust system fails, your engine’s vibrations and sound waves get funneled into the car. So how serious is it?

Well, your driver’s seat is vibrating like one of those fancy massage chairs, so there’s that. But you can’t let this noise slide. A malfunctioning exhaust system can leak poisonous carbon monoxide. So, get this checked out pronto!

4-That Fish Out of Water Sound

This one happens when you run the air conditioner or blowers. It sounds like a slapping or flapping sound. That’s the result of a loose, misaligned, or worn out flap.

While not a big deal, it may impact your airflow. It could also drive you a little crazy, but it’s not a serious issue. Fix this one when you’ve had enough of that fish flapping sound.

5-A Huge Groaning Yawn

When you turn the steering wheel, the car whines and groans. It sounds like it just woke up from a long winter’s nap. The steering wheel may also seem unresponsive and stiff. What the heck is going on?

There’s something in your power steering system causing friction. If you let this problem go, you’ll slowly lose control over the steering. Worse, you can cause further damage to the rest of the power steering system.

Obviously, this is a significant safety problem. Bring your vehicle in and our Chevy service center will fix you right up.

6-Right. Left…And Squeak!

When your steering column squeaks as you turn the wheel, it’s an indicator that there is an issue with the power steering. A light squeak is not as concerning as a major groan (see #5).

Power steering fluid is inexpensive. So, change it as needed and keep it topped off. That will help extend the life of your steering column. If replacing the fluid doesn’t work, there may be a leak in the power steering lines. Keep a careful eye on it!

7-A Metal Show or My Brakes?

That loud, grinding metal noise is actually coming from your brakes! And that’s bad news. You’ve worn clean through your brake pads. Now the calipers are grinding against the rotors. You need to get this taken care of ASAP.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 25% of vehicle crashes are attributed to degraded or failing brakes. Regular maintenance is the answer to avoiding this problem!

At Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we’re big believers in regular maintenance to keep your vehicle running smoothly. But we also know that weird noises pop up, too!

For both maintenance and car issues, we’re here to get you back on the road and driving safely. 

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Buying a new or used car is an exciting time! But it’s important to temper excitement with practicality. For first time car buyers, it’s important to do your homework before you buy!

At our Harrisonburg auto dealership, we do everything possible to make sure that first time auto buyers know the car buying process before they commit to a purchase.

We’ve outlined the process below and hope you can use the information to find the right vehicle for you, whether you buy from us or not.

Get Pre-Qualified

It’s important to know how much car you can buy before you start shopping. There are a couple of good options here. So, take your pick about what feels best for you.

The first option is to go to our website and fill out the pre-qualifying form. Here you can calculate what you can afford by adjusting your estimated monthly payment amount or the loan amount.

From here, our staff can guide you through the car buying process, which greatly simplifies it. And it puts you firmly in the driver’s seat!

Because we work with a large network of lenders, we can shop around to get you a very competitive loan rate.

In fact, our rates are competitive with local banks. And, if you have a poor credit history, we can help you secure a car loan that won’t bury your ability to build equity.

The second option is to go to your local lender and get qualified. Joe Bowman Auto Plaza works with local lenders all the time. The only slight disadvantage to working with a bank is that it will take a day or two longer to process the loan.

That’s because paperwork has to be approved with your lending institution and with the dealership. So, it takes just a bit longer. The bottom line is to do what feels most comfortable for you!

Start Shopping

Once you know what you can afford, it’s time to start shopping. If you choose to work with us, you’ll find our sales staff attentive to your budget and to what you’re looking for.

They will show you vehicles based on your expressed needs and lifestyle.

If you’re buying from a private owner, please check out our post on buying privately.

Test Drive

If you buy a used car from Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, you’ll never have to worry about the performance of the vehicle.

Every preowned vehicle that comes into our dealership must pass a 75-point inspection. If it doesn’t pass inspection, it is not offered up for sale.

Our certified Chevy technicians will correct all problems that they see. As far as humanly possible, we make sure the car or truck is in tip top shape. Then we back up that commitment with either a 30 or 90 day warranty.

For new cars, the manufacturer offers a one-year warranty. Either way, you’re covered. That’s why the test drive is simply a formality to see whether or not you like the vehicle.

Negotiating the Price

Once you’ve decided on the vehicle, if you feel it’s necessary, you can negotiate the price. If you are new to negotiating, feel free to bring someone along with you.

Auto Financing

Once a sales price has been established, it’s time to get down to auto financing details. If you choose dealer financing, your loan will be processed more quickly. Plus, you’ll get a competitive interest rate.

If you opt for a loan with your local bank, we can easily accommodate you. It will take a bit more time, but we most certainly can get your loan processed.

Car Insurance

Lastly, we will call your insurance company to get your auto insurance set up before you leave. When you drive home in your new or newer vehicle, you’ll be covered!

Wrapping Up

Buying a car is a big commitment, so make sure you’re ready! And when you do, we hope you’ll consider our GMC Harrisonburg dealership.

With Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, you’ll have that extra layer of consumer protection than when you buy privately.

Additionally, when you opt to buy a vehicle through Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we want your business for a lifetime. That’s why Joe Bowman customers get perks from our service department.

• Preferred service scheduling
• Lifetime FREE car inspections for as long as you own the vehicle
• Courtesy transportation when your vehicle is in the shop

We hope this general guideline is helpful to you. Let us know if you have any questions. Learn more about us here: www.joebowmanautoplaza.com. And be sure to stop in and visit us!

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You’ve found a preowned vehicle that you really like. Now it’s time to take it for a test drive! As one of the Harrisonburg VA dealerships in the area, we take our responsibility of selling cars, new and used, seriously.

That’s why all of our used autos must pass a 75-point inspection to be placed on our lot for sale. Then we back up that commitment to safety with either a 30 or 90 day warranty.

When you’re ready to take that test drive at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we know you won’t be disappointed. The biggest question you’ll need to answer is, “Do I like how this car handles and drives?”

But we know that not everyone has the same commitment to customer service and quality. So, we’ve outlined 3 big red flags to look for when test driving that vehicle you want.

Steering Wheel Jitters

Make sure the steering wheel doesn’t rattle or vibrate violently when driving at higher than average road speeds.

If it does, the question to ask is whether the vehicle has had an alignment recently. The issue should be resolved prior to purchasing the vehicle.

Noises and Smells

If you hear any noises that seem unusual or abnormal, ask about them! Odors such as clutch, oil, and gas all have a distinct smell that is pungent.

If you do smell something strong, steer clear! You don’t want to buy trouble. If the car shows any hesitation upon acceleration, ask about it. Again, you don’t want to buy a car that’s got a problem in the making.

Slipping Clutch

If you’re buying a car with a standard transmission, make sure the clutch pedal is in good working order. If you have a tough time feeling the clutch grip the gears, then there could be a problem.

Does it feel like you need to accelerate more than normal to catch the gear change? If so, that’s another sign of slipping clutch.

With Bowman used cars and trucks, you’ll never have to worry about any of these biggies. If there are any problems with the vehicle, we take care of them immediately.

We only sell quality used vehicles because we want your business not one time, but for a lifetime! Visit us on the web and stop in to see us!

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Having to say goodbye to your old truck is a lot like losing your best friend. It’s tough. Truck owners love their vehicles as much as they do their pets or family.

But there’s absolutely no reason for you to have to bid adieu to your truck before its time. Like everything in life, your truck will give you the performance you want if you simply take care of it.

Bowman used trucks are rigorously examined before they can be placed on the market for sale. Every preowned truck must pass a 75-point inspection or it’s not for sale. Then we back up that commitment to safety with either a 30 or 90 day warranty.

But after that? Well, we preach two aspects of responsible ownership: maintenance and consulting your owner’s manual. Most vehicle owners only use the manual when they want to find out how a feature works. But, there’s a lot of good information on keeping your beloved truck running.

What’s more, as a Harrisonburg VA dealership, we’ve been selling cars for 60+ years. If there is one secret we’ve learned for keeping your truck’s ticker humming, it’s maintenance.

It’s not sexy, but it works. So, take advantage of our vast experience and follow these maintenance tips.

Oil Change

The Holy Grail of your truck’s long life is changing the oil regularly. If your truck is older with high mileage, change your oil filter when you also change the oil.

Dirty, gunky oil is the death of a truck’s engine. Check your owner’s manual for how often to change the oil.

Tires

Rotating your tires helps to ensure even wear. Too often, though, truck owners think that just changing the oil at prescribed intervals is enough. But really, rotating the tires every time you get an oil change will encourage a longer life for your tires, and a smoother ride for you.

When you rotate your tires, be sure to get them balanced as well. With each pothole you hit, with each bump or off-road mission, your tires will get more out of balance.

That can lead to vibrations while driving and can cause increased wear on your truck’s suspension, as well as uneven tire wear.

Alignment

If your truck is pulling to one side, then it’s time for an alignment. Wheels that are out of whack will increase the wear and tire on your tires.

Aggressive driving and driving at high speeds over rough roads can also cause wheel misalignment. Plus, gas mileage usually worsens.

Getting your wheels aligned periodically will pay off in the long run.

Lights

While it’s important to get regular oil changes, don’t forget to check the interior and exterior of your truck, too. This simple check can give you clues as to your truck’s health.

For example, a dim interior light can mean an electrical problem. A burned out tail light is not only dangerous, it can lead to a hefty fine. You also want to make sure your glove box contains spare fuses, too.

Fluid Levels

Your truck can’t run without adequate fluids. So, check fluid levels routinely. The most important one is the engine oil. If it smells dirty or like gas, time to change it.

Next up is the engine coolant. Truck engines generate a lot of heat, so you want to make sure that coolant levels are good.

Finally, check your windshield washer fluid. It’s always a good idea to keep an extra jug of it in your vehicle, especially during the winter. Salt and sand on the road can cause you to use more of it.

Air

We all need clean air to live a healthy life and your truck is no exception. Make sure you change your air filter regularly because it can become clogged with chemical contaminants, dust, and debris.

A fresh engine filter is recommended every 15,000-30,000 miles. If you drive on a lot of dirt roads, you may want to change it more often.

Not only does a clean air filter help your engine last longer, it can also optimize the efficiency and acceleration of your engine.

Driving Conditions

One of the most important aspects of taking care of your truck long term is understanding what kind of wear and tear you’re placing on your vehicle.

Do you regularly carry heavy loads? Drive off road? Make multiple short trips every day? How you use your truck greatly determines the type of maintenance your truck needs.

When you bring your truck to our Joe Bowman service department, we’ll go over it with a multi-point inspection as part of your service appointment.

Think of it as a doctor’s check-up for your truck. From batteries, spark plugs, to brake pads, we’ll analyze your truck to make sure it’s running at peak performance.

If we spot any potential problems, we’ll let you know. Keeping you safe on the road is what our service department does best!

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Thinking about buying a new or used car? Joe Bowman Auto Plaza has been helping customers for 60+ years to get into the vehicle of their choice.

In fact, our auto financing rates are highly competitive, often beating out other local banks!

And if you have poor or a bad credit history and you are working to repair it, we have special financing auto loans just for you.

Joe Bowman Auto Plaza works with you to help you re-establish your good credit and helps you get car financing at the best interest rates.

How? We look for lenders who don’t have astronomical interest rates, allowing you to build equity.

Additionally, we offer simple interest car loans with no pre-payment penalties, providing you with some of the best auto financing deals in Harrisonburg.

What’s more, we even help you finance the high mileage vehicles that most banks won’t!

That’s why we feel we provide the best auto financing options in the area. Check out some of the other advantages of financing your car through our Harrisonburg dealership.

Advantages of Choosing Joe Bowman Auto Plaza for Auto Financing

• Prequalify your application online

All you need to do is provide your details. You can then personalize the terms based on the price of the car you are looking to purchase, the total down payment and the duration of the repayment.

We’ll complete your car loan at the dealership.

• Large reliable financial network

Thanks to a large network of lenders and banking institutions, we search for the best financing options for you.

• Simple and transparent services

Joe Bowman Auto Plaza gets you the best car loan rates and uses simple interest loans. And the terms of the loan are broken down so that you understand your commitment.

• We are quick!

Because the loan application is handled through us, the entire process is quick and easy. All the legal paperwork is completed at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza.

When you use a bank, it takes longer to get the loan processed because the paperwork is shuffled back and forth between the two businesses.

• We offer competitive interest rates

As mentioned, our auto loans are all calculated on a simple interest plan. This ensures that you are paying the least amount of interest. And you can make additional payments to pay off the loan sooner!

Additionally, we offer extended loan terms. You can repay the loan in a maximum of 6-7 years from the date of purchase.

What’s more, most banks are hesitant to provide special financing auto loans for high mileage vehicles. At Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, that is not a problem.

• We pay off the balance!

In the event that you are trading your existing vehicle for a new purchase and there is still a loan amount pending from the previous transaction, Joe Bowman Auto Plaza will pay off the balance.

• We also help you set up your car insurance

Apart from giving you the best auto financing deals, Joe Bowman also sets up your car’s insurance by dealing with the insurance provider directly.

• We offer bad credit auto financing

Joe Bowman understands that your bad credit score should not stop you from buying a used car. This is the reason why they offer the Second Chance Credit financing program.

With this in mind, if you are looking for best auto financing deals in Harrisonburg, there could be a no better option than Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. Call us today! 540-908-2803

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As part of the Bowman Chevrolet GMC dealership in Harrisonburg VA, we not only sell new vehicles, we also sell quality used cars and trucks.

Used trucks especially are a hot item because of their ruggedness and durability. And with demand for these vehicles so high, pre-owned trucks have become a valuable commodity.

That doesn’t mean as soon as we get a used truck that we roll it out on the floor to sell. Quite the contrary.

Every used vehicle we sell must pass a rigorous 75-point inspection, and that includes trucks. We make sure that they are 100% mechanically sound, and that every feature works beautifully.

Then, we follow up our commitment to your safety with either a 30 or 90 day warranty, depending on the mileage and the year of the vehicle.

The JD Power Most Dependable Pickup Guide

In February 2018, JD Power released a study on trucks that were the most dependable after 3 years of ownership. And there’s plenty of good news.

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

It’s not surprising that the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 won the Vehicle Dependability Power Circle Rating of 5 out of 5. Additionally, it received an award in the Large Light Duty Pickup category.

Redesigned in 2014, changes to the Silverado in 2015 were minor. The maximum trailering capacity jumped to 12,000 pounds when properly equipped, an 8-speed automatic transmission, new Rally Edition trims also debuted, and Chevrolet upgraded the MyLink infotainment and OnStar subscription services.

2015 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty

In 2015, the Silverado Heavy Duty truck was redesigned, improving its architectural strength as well as upgrading its towing and payload capacity. Cab offerings were expanded, a more comfortable and quiet cabin was installed, including controls designed for while wearing gloves.

This model debuted a modern infotainment and safety systems. Chevrolet also offered a choice between a gas V8, compressed natural gas V8, and a turbocharged diesel V8.

JD Power gave the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty truck a Vehicle Dependability Power Circle Rating of 4 out of 5.

2015 Ford F-150

Chevy wasn’t the only winner in the dependability study. The 2015 Ford F-150 also won with a Vehicle Dependability Power Circle Rating of 4 out of 5.

Ford redesigned the truck, employing the traditional steel frame but switching to aluminum bodywork to cut weight and improve fuel economy.

There were 3 cab styles to choose from, 3 bed lengths, and 5 trim levels.

2015 Ford F-Series Super Duty

Ford added some engineering touches to the 2015 model which included durability and power upgrades for the optional 6.7 liter turbo diesel V8 engine.

The company also offered a High Capacity Tow Package with a GCWR of 35,000 pounds for the F-350. With bigger brakes and more robust steering, JD Power gave this model a Vehicle Dependability Power Circle Rating of 5 out of 5.

It also received an award in the Large Heavy Duty Pickup category.

Other winners included the 2015 Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma. Both received a Vehicle Dependability Power Circle Rating of 5 out of 5.

Because we’re Bowman Chevrolet, you might be wondering why we would share such good information on other truck brands. It’s simple.

It’s not unusual for us to get these quality truck brands as part of our Bowman used car inventory.

As a consumer, it’s important for you to know what truck brands have been independently judged to be highly reliable and dependable.

Additionally, once preowned trucks become part of the Bowman used truck inventory, you are assured of additional safety with our service department.

Our commitment is to provide you with the safest vehicle possible. And we do that with our 75-point used vehicle inspection, then backing it up with a warranty.

View our inventory online or stop in to see us. Our friendly staff will work with you to match up your needs with your budget!

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There are so many good reasons to buy a Joe Bowman Chevrolet used car! Not only do we have a 75-point inspection that every pre-owned car must pass before becoming eligible for sale, we offer competitive financing rates, too.

As a quality Harrisonburg used car dealer with an excellent reputation, we back up our commitment to selling quality used cars with either a 30 or 90-day warranty, depending on the age of the vehicle and mileage.

But before you start looking for a newer vehicle, do your car loan homework!

• Know your credit score
• Get pre-approval
• Calculate loan costs
• Understand your financing

Know Your Credit Score

You can actually look up your credit score right on our website. And it’s important that you do so! Credit ratings help determine your interest rate.

It tells the lender how strong your history is for repayment. This is a critical step for preparing to buy your car.

Pre-Approval

Always get pre-approval from either the car dealership you’re working with or your bank. This is a guarantee that you have the loan to cover the cost of the vehicle you want to buy.

Loan Costs

You definitely want to know how much car you can afford to buy. You can fill out our form online and we can then determine the best financing options and rates for you. And while your monthly payment amount is important, you also want to consider the length of the loan.

Stretching out payments for six or seven years may not be wise for a used car. Instead, it may mean that the car or truck is not within your budget. Try to remain objective so that you keep finance charges to a minimum.

Used Car Dealership Financing vs Bank Financing

Some customers come to our Harrisonburg dealership and they already have loan pre-approval from their bank. That’s great!

The Joe Bowman Auto Plaza dealership has an excellent reputation with local lending institutions. We can get your loan processed within a few days.

But what many people don’t know is that our dealership car loan interest rates are competitive with local banks and some credit unions. And, we can process your loan much quicker than going through a bank.

Because we work with a large network of lending institutions, we can help you find the best interest rate possible. And if you have had past credit problems, we’ll make sure to find a rate that allows you to build equity.

What’s more, if you have a car you need to sell, you can either trade it in here with us or we can buy it from you outright!

Understanding Your Loan

Know the type of loan you are getting, e.g., simple interest, variable, etc. so that you know the total cost of your investment. Your lender will break down the charges for you so that you can see exactly what you’re paying.

At our dealership, we only do simple interest loans. It’s very easy to understand and you can see exactly how much interest you’re paying, the principle amount, and the terms of the loan.

When you buy a new or used car from us, you get additional perks as well for as long as you own the vehicle.

• Preferred service scheduling
• Free State inspections
• Complimentary vehicle when your car is getting serviced

If you’re thinking of buying a new or newer vehicle, stop by our dealership or visit our website. Then stop in to see us.

We can help you get the car you want!

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Car batteries die because of a huge number of reasons. But if we had to narrow it down to three categories, they would be:

• Electrical system problems
• Battery problems
• User error

But what causes a battery to keep biting the dust? Usually loose or corroded battery connections, charging problems, persistent electrical drains, extreme weather, and continually demanding more power from the alternator than it can provide.

Some of these problems will kill the battery outright. Still others are coupled with a battery that’s already weak or dying.

Other causes include:

• Headlights or dome lights that are left on
• Battery is in weak or poor condition
• Corroded or loose battery connections
• Parasitic drains on the electrical system, including trunk and glove box lights that come on, or stay on, when they shouldn’t.
• Extreme hot or cold weather
• Charging system problems

Battery Maintenance and Testing

A lot of battery problems can be avoided with regular maintenance. If your battery isn’t sealed, checking each cell to make sure its properly filled with electrolyte is important. If the electrolyte level drops below the tops of the lead plates, there’s a problem.

Top off battery cells with distilled water. Tap water is fine depending on the quality of the water where you live.

You can also test your battery with an inexpensive tool called a hydrometer. It allows you to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in each cell. If you find that one or more cells is very low after the battery is fully charged, then the battery needs replacing.

Another good tool for checking your battery is a load tester. This inexpensive tool puts a load on your battery which stimulates the draw of a starter motor. It also allows you to see both the unloaded and loaded battery voltage.

If you do decide to buy a load tester, remember batteries that are shorted internally can explode under the right conditions, so wear protective gear when working with your battery.

Loose or Corroded Car Battery Connections

The key to keeping your battery from dying prematurely is maintenance. That means keeping on top of corrosion! Make sure the battery connections remain tight and secure. Don’t allow the electrolyte in a non-sealed battery to drop.

These simple steps help to make your battery last longer.

At the Joe Bowman service department, our Certified Chevy technicians thoroughly check your car when you bring it in for service. And that means a battery check, too!

If you invest in a Bowman used car here in Harrisonburg VA, you already know that our mechanics perform a 75-point inspection on your vehicle to ensure, as far as is humanly possible, the safety and high performance of your vehicle.

We follow that up with a 30 or 90-day warranty, depending on the age and mileage of the vehicle. Additionally, when you buy from us, you will get free State inspections for as long as you own the vehicle, a complimentary vehicle to use when your car is in our shop, and preferred customer scheduling.

For the finest in quality car care, book an appointment with our service department. To learn more about Joe Bowman Chevrolet-Cadillac, visit our website: www.joebowmanautoplaza.com or stop in and visit us!

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