Broadcaster Press 7 April 11, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com H me Impr vement and The Best Time to Buy a New Car and Other Cost-Saving Tips Shopping for a new car can be an exciting and sometimes stressful process. A vehicle is one of the largest purchases a person will make in his or her lifetime, so choosing an automobile requires careful research and some comparison shopping. According to IHS Automotive, there are more than 250 million registered passenger vehicles in the United States. In Canada, 33,168,805 vehicle registrations were reported by Statistics Canada in 2015. With so many cars and trucks on the road, it’s important for drivers to get a vehicle that meets their needs and fits their budgets. The following are some pointers for prospective buyers looking to save some money on their next vehicles. Wait for model changeover Pay attention to news regarding which vehicle models will be retired or redesigned, as this may indicate which vehicles might be offered at the best deals. The model year should also be considered when looking for a new car. Many buyers are naturally attracted to the newest model year, feeling that if they’re going to pay a lot for a car or truck, they want to do so for the newest available model. Buyers who don’t need the newest model available may find a better deal than those who do. Choose a different body type The National Automobile Dealers Association advises that pickup trucks and SUVs continue to command high prices. Shoppers who look at sedans, compact cars and even luxury vehicles may be able to get a better price than those looking for trucks or SUVs. Buyers should assess their needs and see if a different body style or category of car fits their needs and their budgets. Shop the end of the month No matter the month, waiting until the last week of the month may be a good time to buy. Sales managers and dealerships in general have a monthly quota to meet and are compensated accordingly. Negotiating at this time means shoppers can get a good deal, while salespeople can move vehicles. Choose the right day of the week According to a study by TrueCar.com, an automotive pricing and information website, Sunday is the best day of the week to purchase a vehicle. Buyers can expect to pay as much as $2,000 more for the same vehicle on Friday than those who shop on a Sunday. Monday is also a good day, as there is less foot traffic and it may be possible to wrangle a better deal. Waiting until the end of the day can be advantageous, too. Salespeople may be anxious to close out sales so they can get home at quitting time. Get financing ahead of time Knowing your budget ahead of time and prearranging financing can put shoppers in a better position when it comes time to negotiate. Strong credit scores and decent down payments make certain buyers better prospects for dealerships. It also may mean their purchasing power can translate into better deals. Shopping for a new car can be challenging and exciting all at once. Purchasing at the right time can save drivers money and get them in the car of their dreams. nMetro Creative Connections Romsdahl’s Repair & Remodel Carpentry, Interior & Exterior, Painting, Refinishing, Drywall, & Ceramic Tile Free Estimates 605-670-2161 605-670-2161 HERREN • SCHEMPP BUILDING SUPPLY Locally Owned & Operated Headquarters for the Builder/Handyman Through the years, cars have evolved so much that certain parts once integral to their operation have now become obsolete. Only time will tell which components and features of today’s cars will disappear in the future. However, present drivers can reminisce about how cars have evolved even in the last 20 to 30 years. The following are some oncestandard parts and features that have all but disappeared from modern vehicles. Ashtrays and cigarette lighters: Smokingrelated accessories began to vanish as the dangers of smoking became more apparent. Ashtrays in the dashboard and in the rear armrests are no longer standard. Full-sized spare tire: The “doughnuts” of today can be driven on for only limited distances and look awkward on larger vehicles. The full-sized spare enabled drivers to New or preowned vehicles are significant investments. New cars might be more expensive than preowned models, but according to Edmunds, the average cost of a preowned vehicle is around $16,000. Preowned vehicles seem and often are consumer-friendly options. However, preowned vehicles always carry some measure of risk. Unless a vehicle is covered by a warranty, consumers take that risk on themselves. One way for buyers to reduce any anxiety they may have about preowned vehicles is to learn as much as they can about automobiles and spotting potential lemons. Despite the availability of vehicle history reports, some lemons still make it onto used car lots. The following are a handful of ways buyers can protect themselves from buying lemons. Research vehicles through reputable sources. Investigate the reliability ratings of certain vehicles on reputable sites such as Edmunds.com, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website (NHTSA.gov) and Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com). Ask the right questions. Once you find a vehicle that interests you, ask pointed questions about its condition and features. Relatively new cars with high mileage may raise red flags, so ask how many owners such vehicles had and if maintenance records are available. Consumer Reports says a high-mileage car used on a long highway commute is better than if the car does many short trips or stop-and-go driving. Also ask if a vehicle you’re considering has been in an accident or if there are any recalls on the make and model. Request a vehicle history report. Ask to see a copy of the vehicle’s history report. Such reports may include information about major accidents, mileage counts, number of HOURS: M-F 9AM-6PM SAT 9AM-12PM www.herrenschempp.com owners, airbag deployment, and many other clues that can shed light on the condition of the vehicle. The report also may included warranty information and whether the car or truck was branded a lemon. Conduct a visual inspection. Look at the vehicle for certain telltale signs of wear and tear that may indicate you should not buy the vehicle. Such indicators may include prematurely worn pedals or a sagging driver’s seat. Check for dents, chipped paint, mismatched body panels, body filler, or sloppy repair work. Inconsistent welds around the hood also may indicate the car has undergone significant repairs. When looking under the hood, Consumer Reports suggests paying attention to the level of grease and corrosion on the engine, radiator and battery. Check for wet spots that may be indicative of leaks. Melted wires or blackened areas can be a sign of an engine overheating or even a fire. Rely on a trusted mechanic. Ask a mechanic you trust to give the vehicle a thorough, professional inspection. He or she may be able to spot signs of a lemon more readily than amateurs. Purchasing a car can induce some anxiety. Research and patience can calm buyers’ nerves and ensure they find the right vehicle at the right price. nMetro Creative Connections YANKTON, SD 402-360-2504 605-660-9008 • WOOD & METAL BUILDING • TANKS • ELEVATORS • GRAIN BINS • HOUSES • FOUNDATION COATING Statewide Service CALL TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 1205 CARR STREET • VERMILLION • 605.670.0471 BlainesBodyShop@gmail.com • Water Lines • Sewer Lines • Septic Tanks • Excavation • Demolition • Tree Removal • Site Clearing • Grading • Hauling Now serving the Vermillion & surrounding areas • Service • Building Materials • Ceilings • Cabinetry • Insulation • Lumber • Plywood • Sheetrock • Siding • Roofing • Doors • Windows • Milwork • Paint 1000 W. Cherry St. • Vermillion, SD Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Sat 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. 888-624-2058 • 605-624-2058 repair the flat tire on their own schedules. Control knobs: Push buttons and digital dashes have replaced the manual knobs of the past. Levers often enabled drivers to adjust the heat without taking their eyes off the road. Bench seats: Front bench seats have given way to two seats separated by a center console. No longer is it possible to fit three or four people in the front of a vehicle. Whip antenna: Remember those thin, flexible antennas? Many modern vehicles feature more solid antennas that can be unscrewed for trips through the carwash or an antenna that is modeled into the car in an inconspicuous way. If drivers exhibit a preference for satellite radio in the years ahead, traditional antennas may soon become obsolete as well. nMetro Creative Connections Recognize and Avoid Buying a Lemon • AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION REPAIR • PAINT • FRAMEWORK • GLASS REPLACEMENT 18 Years In Business FREE ESTIMATES Did you know? COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL We use: Henderson’s Ultimate CAR WASHES Two Locations Open 24 Hours • 815 Princeton St • 921 E Cherry St • Vermillion 605-670-3210 Visit us at www.jlkconstructionexcavation.com For that Spic-and-Span show room quality shine!