Thinking about trading in a car that’s not paid off because you’ve found a new car you’d really like to buy? Should you?

The short answer is that depends.

When money is still owed on a vehicle and you want to trade it in for a new one, there are two possible scenarios. One is more advantageous than the other. But for both, you should proceed with caution.

Positive and Negative Equity

The first is positive equity which is when the value of your vehicle is worth more than amount owed on the loan.

This is the most advantageous position between the two. It’s like having money to apply towards your down payment. More about that in a minute.

The second is much riskier. When your vehicle isn’t worth as much as the amount owed, negative equity occurs. This is also called being “upside down” or “underwater” on your loan.

If you have negative equity on your vehicle, you’ll have to pay the difference between the trade-in value and the loan balance using either cash or another loan. That lump sum amount is then rolled into a new car loan.

We don’t recommend this approach to buying a new car. Here’s why.

Don’t Trade in A Car with Negative Equity

If you have negative equity on your current loan, postpone the trade-in until you are no longer underwater. Rolling over your current loan into a new one places yourself at risk, and your bank account.

Essentially, you’re paying on a vehicle you no longer own, plus the new vehicle. You’ll also have to pay a higher interest rate on the new loan. Don’t do it. It’s just not worth it.

Wait until you have the loan paid down or, better yet, paid off before you venture into the new car buying market.

How A Car Trade-In Works with Positive Equity

Here at our Harrisonburg, Virginia dealership, we’ve conducted many, many car loans in our 60+ years of business. A lot of them include a trade-in, which simply means that the value of your car is subtracted from the new car price.

For a trade that has a loan balance, we take over the loan and pay it off. While we handle all the paperwork to establish our dealership as the new owner, there are some items you need to bring to us so that we can transfer ownership.

• Your driver’s license
• Loan info including payoff amount and the account number
• Proof of insurance
• Vehicle registration
• All keys to the vehicle including remotes
• A printout of the trade-in value

Once we have this information, we can then begin to transfer ownership.

Trade-In Preparation Is Key
 
We recommend you prepare as much as possible before the actual trade. Start with our Carfax Trade-In Value page on our website. This will give you the current worth of your vehicle.

You can also look up the current value of your vehicle using either Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book.

Then contact your auto lender to get the payoff amount of your current loan.

Once you’ve established that you have positive equity—your car is worth more than the remaining car loan amount—you’re ready to discuss a trade-in with us.

How A Trade-In Works Using Positive Equity
 
Let’s say you owe $5,000 on your current car but it’s worth $8,000. That means you now have $3,000 to apply to the purchase of a new car.

The equity in your old vehicle is deducted from the sales price of your new vehicle. In addition to the positive equity, you can also make an additional down payment which we highly recommend. The more you can put down, the greater the reduction in your overall loan balance.

Should You Just Sell the Vehicle Instead of Trading It?
 
Selling your vehicle privately is always an option. It just means you do more work to get the car sold. The vehicle must be professionally cleaned, repairs must be made, and you have the expense of advertising the car.

Then you wait for a buyer. Once you find one, you’re responsible for paying off the current loan and transferring title.

If you don’t want to bother with these extra steps, choosing to trade in your vehicle is an excellent option. We take care of all those steps to prepare it for resale on our Harrisonburg used car lot.

Your vehicle will go through a rigorous 75-point inspection before we place it for sale. We make any repairs needed and then provide a limited warranty for the new buyer.

Get Pre-Loan Approval

Once you’ve done your homework on trading in your old vehicle, get pre-approved for a new car loan either through your lender or through our finance department.

If you choose to work with us, you’ll find our interest rates are highly competitive and our loans are all simple interest.

That means you can pay additional amounts on your loan without penalty, allowing you to pay off the loan more quickly. What’s more, because all the financial work is done in-house, we can get you in to your new vehicle more quickly.

If you’d still prefer to work with your lender, we can do that, too! It will just take a little longer to process your lender’s paperwork.

Shop Within Your Budget

Once you know how much you can afford to buy, you can shop for a vehicle that’s within your budget. That’s important!

Having a car payment that you can afford will make the life of the loan easier on you. Perhaps even allowing you to make extra payments to get the vehicle paid off sooner.

Conclusion
Trading in a car that is not paid off can be done, but it must be done with thoughtful consideration. You want to make sure that doing so works to your advantage and does not create more debt than necessary.

When you’re ready to buy your next new car, turn to Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been helping people just like you find the right vehicle for your lifestyle and budget for 60+ years!

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Potholes, poorly maintained roads, running into curbs, you name it. So many road conditions can cause the alignment on your vehicle to go out. But does it really matter to the overall health of your vehicle? Absolutely!
 
A front end alignment which is simply your wheels pointing in the right direction is critical to the proper functioning of your car.
 
Even the slightest wheel misalignment can affect your vehicle’s performance and your handling of it. In fact, a front end alignment is so important that when you buy a new car, the manufacturer has to verify that the alignment has been performed, and that it is correct.
 
Chevrolet is no exception! Safety is their top priority. And, in short, a front end alignment is all about safety on the road. 
 
For our used car inventory, all our vehicles must pass a 75-point inspection, or the vehicle will not be listed for sale. Making sure the vehicle is properly aligned is part of that safety inspection.
 
The Symptoms of a Poor Front End Alignment
 
You may not notice at first that your car is out of alignment, but the damage is still occurring. Even if your tires are just slightly misaligned, it can cause premature wear and tear on your tires.
 
Not only does it increase wear, but tires don’t perform as well. That means having to replace tires sooner than should be needed.
 
Obvious signs of poor alignment are your car pulling to the left or right, the vehicle doesn’t handle as well, and your steering wheel vibrates. Any of these symptoms should prompt you to schedule an appointment with our service center to get an alignment check.
 
Because a misalignment can be so subtle, we encourage you to get your vehicle inspected regularly. But there are five more big reasons to make this service part of your regularly scheduled maintenance.
 
5 More Benefits of Getting a Front End Alignment
 
Longer Lasting Tires
 
With regular front end alignment maintenance, your car’s tires will last longer. A rule of thumb is to get your tires balanced and aligned every 6,000 miles or so. This will help your tires to wear evenly. Your vehicle will also last longer, performing better.
 
Enjoy a Smoother Ride
 
One of the classic signs of a poor front end alignment is that the vehicle pulls to the left or right. With regular alignment maintenance, the car drives smoothly which makes for a better, safer driving experience.
 
Better Fuel Efficiency
 
Did you know that a misalignment can decrease gas mileage by up to 10%? Misaligned tires drag instead of rolling freely. As a result, it takes more energy for your car to perform which causes more fuel consumption.
 
Less Auto Repairs

Potholes can cause a lot of damage to your suspension and your tires. Getting a regular front end alignment can save you from shelling out big bucks on bigger auto repairs later.
 
Better Steering

A poor alignment makes it harder to steer your car. If the misalignment is bad enough, you could even hold the steering wheel at an awkward angle just to get the car to drive straight. Such a lack of control increases the likelihood of an accident.
 
In Conclusion
 
Keeping your tires moving in the same direction and at the same angle increases driving control. It also increases fuel efficiency and maximizes the life of your tires.
 
That’s why a front end alignment should be included as a regular part of your car maintenance.
 
Let our service center handle all your automotive maintenance and repairs. These Chevy-certified technicians work with all makes and models. And when you’re ready to buy, turn to the pros at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been helping customers for 60+ years to find the right vehicle for their lifestyle and budget.

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Have you ever noticed that the shoes you wear have a distinct wear pattern? Well, tires are like that. You can’t rotate your shoes around for a more even wear, but you can rotate and balance your tires, and for the same reason, longer wear!

A set of tires is one of the most expensive replacements on your vehicle. That’s why you want to get as much use out of them as possible.

Rotating and balancing your tires are two different procedures. Both increase the safety and efficiency of your tires. For tire rotation, the wheels are removed and replaced front to back, right to left.

Balancing requires a special machine to check the tire’s weight and the wheel’s balance. If the tire isn’t balanced, our certified Chevy technicians will attach small weights to the rim of the wheel. This ensures that they are balanced.

How Often Should You Rotate and Balance Your Tires?

Most tire manufacturers recommend rotating and balancing tires every 7,000 miles. Or check your owner’s manual. A great way to keep up with this is to keep a maintenance log in your glove box. Every time you get your oil changed, record the number of miles.

Over time, you’ll see that you’ll need to have your tires rotated and balanced every other oil change.

The Big Reason to Rotate and Balance Your Tires Regularly

Tread wears more quickly on your front tires than on the rear tires. With the loss of tread, it makes it easier to lose control of your vehicle. When you rotate tires regularly, front tires retain more tread, and tires last longer!

A regular maintenance practice keeps your car safer on the road, but it also is cost-saving. If you didn’t rotate your tires regularly, they would wear out more quickly.

Regular tire rotation and balancing helps ensure even wear, replacing a set of four at one time instead of having to purchase two more tires later.

What Causes Tires to Become Out of Balance?

There are many ways reasons tires can become unbalanced. Here are three of the most common:

• Hard skidding in a panic braking situation causing a tire to flat spot. If this happens, the tire is no longer round which adds vibration while driving.
• A bent rim. Also, the loss of a counterweight.
• Aggressive acceleration or braking. This can result in a tire-to-rim slippage causing an imbalance.

And while a vibration is a dead giveaway that you have a tire imbalance, many times, your tires can be out of balance, and you don’t know it!

That’s why regular checks are so important.

Can You Avoid Tire Imbalance Right from the Start?

Yes! Buy quality tires, ones with sound uniformity which means how round and even they are. Combine a quality tire with a good balancing job, and you’ll benefit from even weight distribution, and that means optimal wear right from the start!

When you’re ready to buy a new Chevrolet car, truck, or SUV, or one of our quality preowned vehicles, turn to the pros at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been helping people to buy a vehicle that fits their lifestyle and budget for more than 60 years.

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You’re driving down the road and suddenly it hits you…what’s that smell? There’s nothing under the seat and the rest of the interior is in the clear. So, what gives?

Car smells are a sign that something is amiss with the vehicle. But what do they mean? Here are seven car smells that warrant mechanical attention.

Your Car Smells Like Burning Rubber

Since you’re not a race car driver out for a track spin, the smell of burning rubber can mean several things. A rubber belt or hose has loosened causing it to come in contact with hot engine parts.

Or, you have a fluid or oil leak, or a damaged or worn out drive belt. Either way, it’s time to get that smell checked out. Loose belts and hoses don’t resolve on their own.

Your Car has a Weird Burning Smell

When it doesn’t smell like rubber, but it does smell like something under the hood is burning, it could be an overheated A/C compressor, a burned out electrical fuse, or worn out brake pads that need replacing.

If it has a plastic smell or a smell you can’t identify, it could be you need nothing more than a simple wiring fix. Or it could mean you need a brake check and repair.

It’s best to let one of our trained technicians check it out for you.

Your Car Smells Like Burnt Paper

If you have a straight stick and smell burnt paper when you change gears, it could be that the clutch facing is burning off as the clutch slips.

Usually, this happens if the driver is “riding” the clutch. That means the driver is stepping too frequently on the pedal causing enough friction to burn the paper-based clutch facings. That, in turn, can cause your entire clutch to fail.

Your Car Smells Like Gas

Prolonged gas smells can indicate issues with a leaky fuel tank or injector. It can also mean there’s something going on with your gas cap.

Either of these issues can affect your car’s fuel efficiency, not to mention your health!

Let the certified Chevy technicians at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza get to the source of the problem.

Your Car Smells Like Rotten Eggs

No, it’s not last week’s lunch reminding you to take out your car’s trash. That rotten egg smell can mean a malfunctioning part in the fuel system. Worn out fuel pressure sensors, a catalytic converter, or fuel filters can leak out sulfur gas into the cabin.

Not only is the smell unpleasant, but it can also be dangerous if left unfixed. Another possibility for that sulfur smell could be as simple as needing to replace the transmission fluid.

Old transmission fluid can give off that same rotten egg smell. Get that smell checked out!

Your Car Smells Musty or Sour

Got a musty smell coming from the A/C vents? That could mean excess moisture has accumulated in the car’s drain lines or air filter.

It’s never good to breathe moldy air. Get your vehicle serviced to correct the problem.

If your A/C smells like dirty socks or vinegar, you most likely need to have your air conditioning system serviced. Don’t wait. You don’t want to further damage you’re A/C components.

Your Car Smells Like Maple Syrup

If you smell something sweet after the engine has been running for awhile, it could be a coolant leak from the radiator, a cylinder head, or manifold gasket that is malfunctioning.

Is the smell the strongest inside the car? That could mean a heater core problem.

Take Care of Your Car

Your car—whether it’s a brand new Chevy or one of our quality used cars—is an investment. Never let any of these problems linger!

Our Chevy certified technicians are trained to work on all makes and models of vehicles. We can help you with maintenance to keep your car running longer. And, when mechanical problems arise, trust the pros in our service department to keep you safe on the road.

At Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we’ve been a respected Harrisonburg auto dealer in our community for 60+ years. Learn more about us here.

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When buying a car, knowing the structure of your car loan—the interest rate and terms—is important but understanding how you’ll pay it off is just as important.

That’s why understanding car loan amortization and how it works is a must for anyone borrowing money from a bank.

Let’s look at how this loan system works and how you can use it to work for you.

What Is Car Loan Amortization?

Amortization is the process of paying down your loan over time. Each month, you’ll have a portion of your payment applied to the principal and a portion applied to the interest.

The principal is the amount you’ve borrowed to buy your vehicle. Interest is the cost the lender is charging you to borrow the money.

For example, suppose you borrow $20,000 to buy a new car. This would be considered the principal amount.

The interest rate charged by the bank or through dealer financing is the charge for borrowing the money.

With an amortizing loan, the interest is front loaded on the loan. That means at the beginning of the loan term you’ll pay more interest. With the $20,000 loan and an interest rate of 5% for 60 months, your approximate first payment would be $377.42.

The interest you would pay for that month would be $83 and the principal would be reduced by $294.

The following month, the principal amount would be $19,706 because your previous payment reduced the principal by $294.

Using an Amortization Calculator

An amortization calculator is helpful because it shows your balance and the interest paid at any time during the loan. There are some free amortization calculators on the internet like this one.

So why would you want to know how much you’ve paid over the course of your loan? Three possibilities come to mind:

• Maybe you’re ready to trade in your vehicle and want to know how much equity you have
• You’re concerned you may be “upside down” on your loan, owing more than the vehicle is worth
• You have extra money and are trying to decide where to spend it for the most effectiveness

With an amortization calculator, you can see how making extra payments on the principal is reducing your loan balance. You can also decide if you need to refinance your auto loan with a lower interest rate.

4 Factors That Can Impact a Car Loan Amortization Schedule

There are three big factors that can affect your car loan amortization schedule.

Down Payment—The more you can put down on your loan, the less interest you will pay over the life of the loan.

Interest Rate—The higher the interest rate, the more you’ll pay on your loan. For example, if your principal amount was $27,000 and the interest rate was 15% instead of 10%, over the life of the loan, the interest paid would increase from $7,420.21 to $10,651.49.

Car Loan Term Length—The longer the terms of the loan, the more you will increase the amount of interest you pay.

Your Credit—Good credit is everything! If you have a high score, this is a strong indicator to the lender that you are a good candidate for a loan. And that means getting an excellent interest rate.

Calculating a car loan amortization schedule gives you clarity. You can see exactly how much interest you’re paying over the course of the loan.

The Benefit of Simple Interest Amortization Loans

One of the best benefits of a simple interest amortization loan is the option to pay more on the principal at any time without penalty.

Joe Bowman Auto Plaza only uses a simple interest loan for both new and used car purchases.

The more you can pay on the principal the less interest you’ll pay over the life of the loan, and the quicker you’ll get your car loan paid off!

When you’re ready to buy a new car, truck, or SUV, or any of our quality used cars, turn to Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We have a wide variety of Carfax preowned vehicles and brand new Chevrolets.

Plus, we offer dealer financing. You’ll find the interest rates for our simple interest loans are highly competitive with flexible terms to meet your budget.

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The Chevrolet Malibu 2022 has head-turning style and an artfully crafted interior. Whether you’re going to work or heading out for evening entertainment, the Chevy Malibu elevates your everyday driving experience!

And with gas mileage of the 1.5L Turbo an average of 29 MPG in the city and 36 MPG for the highway, the Malibu’s elegance is also a very practical vehicle.
Want more power? Opt for the 2.0L Turbo. Gas mileage averages 22 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.
Either way, comfort, elegance, and ease of driving is standard fare with your everyday driving.

Chevrolet Malibu 2022: The Standard Features

As you would expect, Chevy does not cut corners with its standard features. The LS model with IFL equipment group has Rear Vision Camera, OnStar-embedded hardware which includes a three-month trial of Safety & Security Plan and a three-month trial of Driver Remote Access.

It also has Rear Vision Camera and Stabilitrak which monitors and adjusts steering, braking, and traction of your vehicle so that you drive in a straight line.

It also includes the Tire Pressure Monitoring System, steering wheel-mounted controls for cruise, audio, and phone, Theft Deterrent System, Halogen headlamps, power-adjustable outside mirrors, Rear Seat Reminder, and Teen Driver.

The last feature is a hands-on teaching tool to help your teen to drive responsibly. The teenaged years are a critical time for learning good driving habits. Teen Driver helps to instill those habits.

Chevrolet also has five safety and driver assistance packages you can choose from for additional safety protection.

The Special Edition Malibu Midnight Edition and Sports Edition

Both the Sports and Midnight edition are for those that want to make a statement. With bold, blacked-out accents, it makes you the attention getter!
Included are:

• Nameplate badge in black
• 19-inch black-painted aluminum wheels
• Blacked-out grille
• Front and rear black bowtie emblems

Chevrolet Malibu 2022 Engine Choices

Whether you choose the fuel efficient 1.5L turbo engine or the powerful 2.0L engine, you’ll enjoy the standard variable-effort electric power steering that keeps you in control!

Stay in Touch While You’re on the Road

The Chevrolet Infotainment System easily integrates with your devices. It’s compatible with both Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Alexa is also available as a built-in feature.

The Easiest Way to Own a Chevrolet Malibu 2022

Now you can shop for a vehicle from the comfort of your own home with Shop.Click.Drive. This simple, innovative program allows you to shop for both used cars and new cars from the comfort of your own home.

For new vehicles, you can pick your trim and accessories, choose an extended warranty, and schedule delivery, if the latter option is available.

With Shop.Click.Drive, you can even estimate your current vehicle’s trade-in value and monthly payments, find Chevy’s latest incentives, and apply for credit. All on our website.

It’s convenient, saves time, and there are no surprises. Best of all, you are under no obligation to buy until you sign the paperwork.

It’s the easiest, most convenient way to buy a car. Ready to make the elegant and practical Chevrolet Malibu 2022 a part of your every day? Get in touch with the Joe Bowman Auto Plaza sales team.

We’re here to help you choose the right vehicle for your lifestyle and budget!

Joe Bowman Auto Plaza used cars are backed by either a 30 or 90-day limited warranty, depending on mileage. Additionally, every preowned vehicle must pass a stringent 75-point inspection checklist, or we will not list it for sale.

Every new Chevrolet comes with a standard 3-year/36,000 mile limited warranty.

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In the world of finance, a good credit score is like gold. The better your score, the more it can open doors for you.

A good credit score allows you to enjoy better interest rates and more favorable loan terms on personal and auto loans. It also means you can enjoy higher credit limits on your credit accounts, new or existing.

That’s why you want to guard a good credit score as if it was treasure because it is!

But what if your credit score needs a little work? Can you really improve your score in a month?

Yes, you can improve your credit score in 30 days. However, to substantially improve it takes time. Because good credit is so valuable, make the commitment to focus on your personal finances and credit history.

If your credit score needs work, start now so you can see a bump in your score in the next 30 days. Here are 5 great ways to do that.

Got Credit Card Debt? Pay It Off!

Credit card companies report each month to the three major credit bureaus on your current credit balance. This reporting can occur on the same day you receive your statement.

That’s how the credit bureaus calculate your credit utilization ratio, and that is a big factor in determining your FICO score.

To put it simply, the credit utilization ratio calculates how much of your available balance you are using. Let’s say you have two credit cards each with a $2,000 limit for a total of $4,000 of credit.

On one card you owe $500. On the other card, you owe $750 for a total of $1250 debt. To get your utilization ratio, divide 1250 by 4000 to get a ratio of 62.5%.
In the finance world, that’s high. Always try to keep your ratio below 30%. A utilization ratio over 50% will lower your credit score.

By paying down your credit card, or even better, paying it off, you can raise your score. If you can pay it down before your next statement, this will help raise your FICO score. Pay it sooner, rather than later!

Become an Authorized User of a Credit Card Account

Another way to improve your credit score in 30 days is to become an authorized user of someone else’s credit card account. For example, if you have a trusted friend or family member with excellent credit, ask if you can become an authorized user on one of their credit card accounts.

This adds the new account to your credit report which helps your credit utilization because you piggyback off the primary account holder’s good credit history.

But there are pros and cons to this approach. On the plus side, you can build a positive credit history faster.

You don’t have to have the card or use it to become an authorized user. Just having your name on their account is enough, and the primary account holder may not let you use the card or give you the account number.

That’s not important. What is important is having your name attached to an account with excellent credit. You do want to make sure that the account reports to all three major credit bureaus.

The downside is it could negatively impact your credit score. For example, if the primary account holder is late on a payment, misses a payment, or has a high credit utilization rate on the account. With any of these scenarios, it can negatively impact your credit score causing it to decrease.

If you have access to the card and abuse its use, it can cause problems of a personal nature between you and the primary account holder.

Use the other person’s credit wisely. Use the opportunity to budget and manage your own finances.

Ask for a Credit Line Increase

File this one under “Proceed with Caution.” If your budget is tight and you can’t make the extra payments to pay down your credit card debt, asking for a credit line increase from your credit card company can help. This will lower your credit card utilization ratio.

But beware. If you know you’re going to spend more money, increasing your credit card debt, don’t ask for the increase.

Pay Your Bills on Time

It doesn’t matter what strategy you use if you’re not making payments on time.

On time payments are the largest scoring factor for both VantageScore and FICO scoring systems.

Late payments can stay on your credit reports for 7½ years! Don’t risk it. Make on-time payments or work something out with your creditor.

Get an Additional Credit Card Account or a Loan

If you only have credit cards, consider getting a credit builder loan. This can be a low-cost option to helping you rebuild your credit. Just make sure you get a loan that reports to all three credit bureaus.

If you have loans and a few credit cards, you may want to get a new credit card. This helps to improve your credit mix, and at the same time, reduce your credit utilization score.

Bonus: Wrong or Inaccurate Credit History Data? Dispute It

This action may take longer than 30 days to see results but it’s worth the time. Every consumer is allowed one free credit report per year. Use AnnualCreditReport.com, a website authorized by the federal government, to check your credit. This site allows you to pull credit reports from the three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax.

Use it to check your credit report for inaccuracies. If you always make on-time payments but your credit report lists late payments, dispute them!

If you see an account that you never opened or applied for, it could be identity theft. Or it could be a lender reporting error.

It may take some time, usually several billing cycles, to successfully dispute and remove the inaccuracies from your credit report. Both credit reporting bureaus and creditors have 30-45 days to investigate a dispute letter. Then, five days to respond once the investigation is complete.

Here at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we want you to be an informed car buyer. Understanding your credit, what affects it, and how to build it is important for all your financial transactions in life.

When you’re ready to buy a new car or one of our quality used cars, our financing department can help you structure loan terms that fit your lifestyle and budget.
Learn more about us here.

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The Camaro legend continues with the 2022 model! Driving a Camaro is about the pure and simple joy of driving.

With lithe handling, a satisfying stick shift transmission, and a 275-hp turbo four, the ride—as you would expect—is remarkably smooth.

Performance for price, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better value than the 2022 Camaro.

The 2022 Camaro Pushes the Limits of Performance and Style

With its aerodynamic looks, refined and driver-centric interior, the Camaro integrates form, high-powered function, and flair seamlessly.

Of course Chevy continues the legacy with track-inspired strength and capability. Choose between four potent powertrain options, all with Direct Injection.

2.0L Turbo-Standard

• With 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque
• EPA estimate of 30 mpg on the highway
• Direct injection and Variable Valve Timing
• 0 to 60 times of 5.4 seconds with coupe manual transmission and 5.5 seconds for8-speed paddle shift automatic transmission

3.6L V6-Available

• 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque
• 0 to 60 times of 5.2 seconds with coupe manual transmission and 5.4 seconds for coupe with automatic transmission
• Direct injection and Variable Valve Timing
• Available 10-speed paddle shift automatic transmission

6.2L LT1 V8-Available

• 0 to 60 times of 4.3 seconds for coupes with manual transmission. 4 seconds for coupe models with available 10-speed paddle shift automatic transmission
• Direct injection and Variable Valve Timing
• Standard on Camaro LT1 and SS

6.2L LT4 Supercharged V8-Available

• 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque
• Available 0 to 60 times of 3.7 seconds for coupe with manual transmission. 3.5 seconds for coupe with available 10-speed paddle shift automatic transmission

Dual Mode Exhaust and Aggressive
If those options don’t get you fired up, the dual mode exhaust will. Available on the ZL1, there’s no question you get peak performance at high engine speeds. And the Camaro is engineered to create aggressive sound while idling. It won’t be overwhelming. Simply impressive.

Magnetic Ride Control ™

Available on the SS and standard on the ZL1 and the SS with the 1LE Performance Package, the Magnetic Ride Control™ reads the road and changes damping in just 10-15 milliseconds.

It works with the Performance Traction Management system and eLSD, providing high speed stability, making the system exceptionally responsive while offering increase wheel control.

2022 Camaro Take Charge Technology

But not all the powerful technology is on the exterior. The 2022 Camaro gives you, the driver, both performance and connectivity behind the wheel.

With the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, you get compatible wireless functionality (with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto), connect your phone to your car—without plugging it in.

Available Wireless Charging Pad

The available wireless charging pad keeps you connected without all the cords. (Standard on 3LT, 2SS, and ZL1 models)

Available Alexa Built-In

Take Alexa with you and get her to stream your favorite music. Or add to your Amazon shopping list. You can even connect to your smart home devices while you’re on the road.

Rear Vision Camera

Standard on all Camaro models, you can also upgrade to Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert.

What 2022 Camaro Model Will You Choose?

Ready to hit the road just because it’s there? Then you’re ready for a Camaro. The only question left is, which model will you choose? Chevy has seven, the LS, LT, 2LT, 3LT, LT1, 1SS, 2SS, and ZL1.

Shop online with our Shop. Click. Drive program. And definitely stop by our Harrisonburg car dealership for a test drive!

Joe Bowman Auto Plaza has been a Chevrolet Harrisonburg car dealership for 60+ years. We can help you find the right car for your lifestyle and budget.

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Here at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we only have simple interest car loans for both our used car inventory as well as our new car inventory. We think this is the fairest way for our customers to buy a new vehicle.

In this article, we’ll break down how a simple interest loan works and why it is the best approach to new and used car buying.

What Is a Simple Interest Loan?

Simple interest loans are based solely on the principal amount borrowed. You’ll pay interest on your predetermined monthly payment that’s a percentage of the loan amount, or principal.

What’s the Difference Between Simple Interest and Compound Interest?

Compound interest means you pay interest on the interest. For example, savings accounts have compound interest which allows the depositor to earn interest on the initial principal plus on interest that accrues over time.

This is advantageous as it grows your money. It is not advantageous as a means for borrowing money.

How Does a Simple Interest Car Loan Work?

Your set monthly payment includes interest based on the original borrowed sum. Each time you make a car payment, a bigger portion of the money goes to pay the interest first, then to the principal.

That means at the beginning of your loan term, payment amounts are weighted more towards paying the interest first. Towards the end of your loan term, there is far less interest to pay so more of your payment goes towards the principal.

How Are Simple Interest Car Loans Calculated?

For most simple interest car loans, the interest is calculated daily based on the principal amount. The annual rate is divided by 365 days, or for leap year, 366 days.

For example, if your loan amount is $25,000, with a 48-month term, and an interest rate of 4%, the approximate interest you will pay on the first month of your loan will be $83 per month. The principal amount will be $481.

As the months go by, you will eventually pay less interest and a little more on principal.
By the last month of your loan term, you’ll pay only an estimated $2 in interest and $563 on the principal.

Why Does My Interest Payment Fluctuate on My Car Loan?

With simple interest car loans, the interest you owe is based on the loan balance on your payment due date. The amount of money applied to the principal each month changes because the loan is amortized.

That simply means that the principal amount goes down with each monthly payment you make. So, the interest you owe will change accordingly.

What are the Benefits of a Simple Interest Loan?

Simple interest loans allow you the flexibility of paying additional money on the principal.

The quicker you can pay down the principal amount the less interest you pay over the life of the loan. Additionally, you can pay off the loan before the term ends without penalties.

As long as you make timely monthly payments, simple interest loan financing helps you save money over the life of the loan. Late payments will cost you more in fees and in the repayment of the loan.

Are There Any Factors That Affect My Car Loan Interest Rate?

Yes. Consumers with good credit scores typically qualify for lower interest rates than those with lower credit scores.

According to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market report, for the first quarter of 2020, average interest rates on new car loans for high credit score consumers was an average of 11 points lower.

In the world of finance, good credit is everything! Protect it to get the best interest rates for anything you decide to buy.

Flexible Auto Loan Financing with Joe Bowman Auto Plaza

When you’re ready to buy either a quality pre-owned vehicle or a new Chevrolet from Joe Bowman Chevy, not only will you enjoy a simple interest car loan, but you can also shop from the comfort of your own home with our Shop. Click. Drive program.

You can also estimate your trade-in value and monthly payments. Our Harrisonburg dealership finance department can help you structure a simple interest loan and terms that work for you.

Our rates are highly competitive and our in-house process is quick and easy, allowing you to take ownership of the vehicle more quickly.

Or, if you prefer, you can finance through your own lender. We can easily work with you. It will take just a little longer for us to process your lender’s paperwork.

Experienced Auto Leader

When you’re ready to buy, turn to the pros at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. Our experienced sales consultants will help you find the right vehicle for your lifestyle and budget.

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Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Chevy 2022 Trailblazer takes the lead on so many fronts!

With an attractive exterior—and a variety of exterior styling options—the Trailblazer is thoughtfully constructed.

What you might not expect is that the Trailblazer is surprisingly spacious, offering a reversible two-tier adaptable storage system. One side is carpeted, and the other side has a durable surface that makes for easy cleaning. There’s plenty of room for your stuff!

And when it comes to seating, the Trailblazer offers flexibility designed for maximum comfort and utility, seating up to five. Your passengers will also enjoy best-in-class rear seat leg room.

Shorthanded loading your Trailblazer SUV? No worries. With the available hands-free liftgate, you open or close the liftgate with a soft kick.

2022 Chevy Trailblazer Standard Safety Features

Safety is always first at Chevrolet which is why Chevy Safety Assist is standard on all models of the Trailblazer.

Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking—When there is a potential for a front-end collision, this feature automatically detects it so you can take quick action.

Front Pedestrian Braking–Alerts the driver of a possible collision with a pedestrian who is directly ahead of the vehicle. The system can automatically apply the brakes to help reduce collision severity, or even avoid the collision.

Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning—If you unintentionally drift out of your lane, there will be a brief, gentle steering wheel turn to alert you to the error.

IntelliBeam—Automatically turns the high beam lights on and off according to the surrounding traffic.

Following Distance Indicator—This uses a forward-looking camera as well as radar sensors to detect if you’re following too closely the vehicle in front of you.

Also standard on the Trailblazer are the rear vision camera, rear seat reminder, and teen driver technology.

4 Chevy 2022 Trailblazer Models

Chevy offers four models to choose from to fit your lifestyle and personality. Not sure which one is right for you? Here’s a short list of some of the main features for each of the four models.

LS

The LS model has a six-speaker audio system, a digital compass in the Driver Information Center, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and a fold-flat front passenger seatback. The following is just a partial list

LT

The LT model has LED fog lamps, remote vehicle starter system, heated power adjustable manual folding mirrors with body color caps, and silver painted roof rails

ACTIV

The ACTIV model has the ECOTEC® 1.31L turbo engine with VVT (Variable Valve Timing), Stop and Start technology, Direct Injection, and Dual outlet exhaust with trapezoidal polished tips, sport terrain tires, and LED tail lamps.

RS

The RS model also has the ECOTEC® 1.31L turbo engine with VVT, Stop and Start technology, Direct Injection, plus dual outlet exhaust with round polished tips, 18-inch-high gloss black machined aluminum wheels, and LED Tail lamps.

All-wheel drive is also available on all four models.

Technology for Your 2022 Chevy Trailblazer

Staying connected is what it’s all about in 2022, and Chevy has you covered. With available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system is ready whenever you are!

Available on the RS and ACTIV models is a charging pad which allows you to charge a compatible mobile device on the go.

You can also add Sirius XM® and enjoy commercial-free news, comedy, music, weather, sports. This feature is available on all 2022 Trailblazer models.

Want to take Alexa with you when you travel? You can have that feature built into your vehicle.

The 2022 Chevy Trailblazer offers the best of comfort and convenience no matter which model you choose. It’s a sporty SUV with power and efficiency!

Shop. Click. Drive. Your Trailblazer

Ready for that next big adventure? Your Trailblazer can take you there. When you’re ready, you can make your purchase right from the comfort of your own home with Shop. Click. Drive.

It’s a simple, innovative way to shop for your next vehicle. Always available, you can watch informative videos, pick your trim and accessories, select your extended limited warranty, schedule delivery, and more.

All the information you need is in one place. And there are no surprises. Pricing, access costs and fees are all included. Best of all, you are under no obligation to buy until you sign for the vehicle.

You can even estimate your trade-in and monthly payment!

Joe Bowman Auto Plaza: Your Harrisonburg Auto Car Dealer

If you’re itching to see what’s beyond your front door, and getting there is half the fun, the 2022 Chevy Trailblazer is calling your name!

Rugged and functional with style to spare, you owe it to yourself to stop in to our Harrisonburg, VA car dealership and take a test drive for yourself.
We’ve been helping people just like you for 60+ years find the vehicle that suits your lifestyle and budget.

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