Is your vehicle getting long in the tooth?

I talk to many people who are worried that their primary vehicle is starting to take more and more effort to keep it on the road. Most of these people have vehicles that have given them long and faithful service but one month they need a new air conditioner and another month they need to replace the brakes. One person I spoke to needs $4,500 worth of transmission work on a car that probably have a residual value of about $4,000.00. Timing with an older vehicle can be critical. Selling your current aging vehicle before an air conditioner or transmission goes bad could give you money towards a down payment, while waiting might put you in a situation where you have no residual value left.

Many of these people would love to buy a new vehicle but simply can't afford to take on new long-term debt at the moment. Some of these people put off selling their vehicle hoping that they can nurse a few more months out of it and somehow be in a better position to buy a new car. Many of these people rely on their vehicles for work and can't tolerate any down time.

I try to work with customers to give them options. One option is to buy a newer used vehicle. Honda Certified Pre-Owned cars must be 6 years old or newer and the engine must have less than 80,000 miles. Each vehicle includes:

• 150-point mechanical and appearance inspection
• 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain warranty from the vehicle's original in-service date
• 12 months/12,000 miles (whichever comes first) non-powertrain warranty from the original warranty expiration date or, if the original warranty has expired, from the Honda Certified Used Cars purchase date.
• $0 deductible
• CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™
• Warranty is transferable
• Roadside Assistance
• XM Satellite Radio 3 trial months of service

My sister called me to ask about a CRV. I told her about a very low mileage CRV in immaculate condition that would save her over $10,000.00 over a new CRV.

If you have a vehicle that is getting a little long in the tooth, it might be a good idea to bring it to our showroom to sell towards getting a newer, more reliable vehicle you can have confidence in for your summer vacation.

For people who absolutely want a new vehicle, another option is leasing. Leasing will require you to have a down payment. When you lease a car, you are financing the depreciation of the car over the period you plan to drive the car. It is possible that you can sell your aging vehicle and use the proceeds for a down payment. Because Honda cars have lower depreciation than other brands, it is possible to drive a brand new car for an amazingly small monthly payment. Of course, all leases will place limits on how far you can drive the car over the lease period the car must be returned in good condition. However, leasing is a very good option for many people and it is an option I can personally discuss with you,

One more consideration is that because cars are lasting longer and come with longer warranties, it is reasonable to pay off a new vehicle over a longer period of time. The key to making this practical is to select a vehicle you know you can be happy with for five to six years. Extended warranties are optionally available that you can consider at the time of purchase.

If you are concerned if your vehicle can safely transport your family to your next vacation destination or worried you might break down on the way to or from work, it is probably time to consider your options.

I am available to help,

Bunmi

Bunmi Barnes                                                   bunmisellscars@gmail.com
obarnes@hondaofchantilly.com
Main: 703-633-4200

Honda of Chantilly

4175 Stonecroft Blvd.
Chantilly, VA 20151
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