Archive for New Vehicles
Choosing the Right Color for Your New Car
Are you concerned about making a color choice that could make it more difficult to sell or trade your car in a few years? According to DuPont Automotive, you can’t go wrong if you choose a white exterior. DuPont’s Color Popularity Report crowns white as the most popular color for new cars in North America for the third straight year.
Surprising to some buyers is the fact that black is a close second, with silver not far behind in third place.Although gray comes in fourth, blue and red are increasing in popularity and rank fifth and sixth.
New car buyers take into account many factors when choosing a color. They not only have their own personal preference, but that of a spouse or other family members to consider. Savvy car buyers also don’t want to choose a color that buyers won’t like in three or four years, making it harder to resell.
Here are the top ten colors in North America:
1. White 17.8%
2. Black 17.0%
3. Silver 16.7%
4. Gray 13.0%
5. Blue 12.4%
6. Red 12.0%
7. Brown 5.7%
8. Green 2.8%
9. Yellow/Gold 2.3%
10. Other >1%
What the Future Holds
Color remains a major reason a given buyer chooses a specific car to buy. Yet car makers need to recognize color trends three
years in advance to be able to integrate changes into the manufacturing process.
Here are the current trends DuPont identifies: both white and silver have been slipping in popularity in recent years while black is gaining ground. The subtler tones now available have also increased the popularity of blue and red.
From the Front Lines
As Internet Manager for a major car dealer, I saw two types of buyers walk onto a dealership’s sales lot. I experienced first-hand the agony some buyers went through deciding on color: “What’s it like to maintain?” “Which color is safer?” “Which color hides scratches and blemishes the best?”
The second category of buyer knows exactly what color they want. Some are actually willing to switchmodels, and in rare cases manufacturers, in order to get the color they want.
Other buyers in this category know what they want but are more flexible. Flexibility is often a good thing,especially when new car inventories are tight. Being willing to accept your second or third color choice can help you to get your new car now and at the price you want. The least advantageous option is waiting to a point in the future for the exact color you want when the loss of manufacturer and dealer incentives may increase the cost of the car beyond what’s practical.
Whichever category you fit in, the above chart will help you understand what other buyers are choosing for their new car exterior colors. The next DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report is due late in 2010.
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As an Automotive Journalist, L. James Johnson contributes articles to the High Gear Media Automotive websites, where this article was first published: http://www.allcaradvice.com/blog/1045177_choosing-the-right-color-for-your-new-car.
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L. James Johnson’s new book, HELP! I Gotta Sell My Car NOW! New Rules for Selling Your Vehicle Online! is available for download at BayAreaCarGuy.com. You can also download his FREE report, The 8 Biggest Mistakes Used Car Buyers Make & How to Avoid Them!
Sell Car Online – Thanks for the Click!
The links I provide in on this website and in my new book, HELP! I Gotta Sell My Car NOW! are often affiliate links that I receive a commission from if you click thru and purchase a product.
The truth is, I appreciate the support, as this allows me the resources and time to develop my website (www.BayAreaCarGuy.com) and funds the development of my next book.
So, if you click thru and purchase products, thank you. More in my video below.
James Johnson explains why clicking thru affiliate links is important.
HELP! Me Buy My Car – A New Service
Car dealers have a bad reputation for a good reason. During my dealership career in Internet Sales, I listened closely to my customer’s intense, even harsh opinions about car dealers. Guess what? Their intensity was an appropriate reaction to the way they had been treated.
My customers not only wanted the best deal possible, they wanted to know that they weren’t being conned, manipulated, or made a fool of.
Yet a mistake can cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars more than necessary. And what is even scarier for most buyers is the fact that this is after the actual price of the car is determined. See more below under Negotiate the deal.
Real HELP! for Car Buyers
As I began to offer my HELP! Me Buy My Car service, it made significant changes in people’s experience at the dealership. From saving money to feeling empowered by knowing they were finally getting more than a good deal. Here’s one person’s remarkable experience.
Help is on the Way
- Needs Assessment. As a preliminary service (no extra charge!) I can provide a “Needs Assessment” to help you determine which is the right vehicle for you.
- Find the vehicle. Once you’ve determined which vehicle you want, I perform a search in your area and provide a short list of dealerships where it’s available.
- Negotiate the deal. I have two basic rules for buyers when purchasing a car from a dealer:
- Never begin your vehicle search by walking in the front door of a dealership.
- Don’t be sucked into believing that negotiations are done once you establish the price of the vehicle.
I contact the dealers on the short list and negotiate your best deal. The price of the vehicle is only the beginning. Most buyers relax and effectively go to sleep once the price of the car is negotiated. Big mistake!
Where circumstances dictate that I an unable to pre-negotiate all price points (i.e. you may not be able to line up financing ahead of time), I educate you so you are empowered while at the dealership – in control because you are informed and confident. And if issues arise, I’m only a phone call away.
- The price of the vehicle is the first of five points where the dealer can make a profit. That’s why dealers can sell cars at invoice (and in some cases, below invoice) and still stay in business. In fact, they can more than make up their profit margin in the four remaining profit points.
That’s why I negotiate the “deal” and not just the “price” of the vehicle. I make sure you stay safe during the entire car buying process. Based on your specific circumstances, I pre-negotiate as many remaining areas of concern as possible. Handled incorrectly, these can cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars more than necessary.
HELP! Me Buy My Car
Do you want real HELP! with your vehicle purchase? Would you like to make sure that you get more than a good deal – and you know it!
Finally, be the driver’s seat and in control when you walk into the dealer’s showroom. Have your deal pre-negotiated on the exact car you want. Take the worry and fear out of this car buying experience, while getting a great deal and saving tons of money.
HELP! Me Buy My Car $477
HELP! Me Buy My Car – Jan’s Story
Car dealers have a bad reputation for a good reason. During my dealership career in Internet Sales, I listened closely to my customer’s intense, even harsh opinions about car dealers. Guess what? Their intensity was an appropriate reaction to the way they had been treated.
When I began offering my HELP! Me Buy My Car service, it made significant changes in people’s experience at the dealership. Here’s an example from the very first time I helped a friend who needed advice on the spot. Watch the video version, or read the story below:
James tells of the first time he helped a friend buy a car from a dealer.
In Jan’s words:
I called James directly from the dealership, while the professionals waited for me to sign the contract to purchase my first new car in 11 years. They told me I was getting a good deal but something didn’t feel right. Even though we were on opposite coasts, I knew of James and his reputation in the auto industry for being honest, upfront, direct, and successful.
James asked me questions until he was clear about my needs, my budget, my trade, and my experience with this dealership. Next, he got my salesperson on the telephone and in just a few minutes determined that the dealership was not only giving me a very bad deal financially, but they were using manipulative sales practices that he considered unethical. I remember he asked me, “Do you really want to buy a car from a dealer who treats their customers like that?” Well, no!
When I saw what was happening through the eyes of a car industry insider, I knew that the knot I’d been feeling in my stomach was like a neon sign flashing “Don’t Trust This Dealer.” James confirmed what I knew deep down to be true.
I asked James what I should do. He told me to simply walk out of the dealership. I did, despite the protests of my salesperson and his manager. Then, as if to further earn their bad reputation, the Manager refused to return my driver’s license and car keys until I listened to a last ditch sales pitch. Uurrghhh! By the time I got out of there I was both stunned and angry. But at least I was out.
What happened next still amazes me. James contacted another dealer and made sure the car I wanted was in stock. He interviewed a member of the sales staff over the telephone to confirm that this dealership would treat me fairly and above board. He then negotiated the price of the new car and my trade and emailed me a detailed price breakdown of everything that was agreed upon. He also let them know he was only a phone call away should any problems arise.
When I walked into this dealer the next day I simply handed them a print out of James’ figures and we went about completing the sale. It was easy and stress-free. I didn’t have to play my Ace card by calling James.
Incredibly, James saved me $2800 on the price of the new car and what I was allowed for my trade compared to the deal I almost made with the first dealer. My total savings were over $3,000 when I add the savings James provided on the extras I purchased in the business office when completing the paperwork.
Saving money was only part of the benefit. The insecurity and apprehension I experienced at the first dealership compared to the confidence and empowerment I felt at the second one. The difference between the two was profound and had to do with the trust I had in James’ level of expertise and knowing that he was on my side. I was also completely confident that I was getting an honest and fair deal.
There is a post script. A few weeks ago, a friend who has lived in New York City for many years just got his driver’s license. He needed to buy a new car but had no idea where to begin. He knew nothing about cars, dealers, or how to negotiate. This time I was the one who confidently recommended dealer #2. My inexperienced friend not only got a great deal on his car but also had a very good experience buying it there.
James took me from being naive, inexperienced, and stressed out about buying a new car – afraid I’d be conned and feel stupid – to confidently recommending a dealer based on my actual positive experience.
Thank you, James, for helping me to finally feel empowered while working with car dealers, and for saving me thousands dollars.
Health Industry Consultant
Connecticut
Angie’s List – Be Confident When Dealing with Local Companies
After working as an Internet Sales Manager for a major car dealer, I discovered that you can’t trust everyone in the car business. In fact, it’s buyer beware. This holds true when selling your vehicle online.
How do you discover the best place to:
- Get a pre-purchase inspection of your vehicle?
- To detail your car?
- Or get it serviced?
You don’t want to make a mistake or leave money on the table when selling your vehicle. So don’t make a mistake when working with local companies. Learn from others who have gone before you. Angie’s List. is a great resource for finding out who to work with – and who not to.
Angie’s List – Find local consumer reviews on everything from getting your car inspected, detailed or serviced, and from painters and plumbers to mechanics and movers.
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L. James Johnson’s new book, HELP! I Gotta Sell My Car NOW! New Rules for Selling Your Vehicle Online! is available for download at BayAreaCarGuy.com.
The Most Stolen Cars!
Each year the National Insurance Crime Bureau releases their Auto Theft Study. The latest figures are from 2007. Honda is particularly popular among the thieving crowd these days. The Toyota Camry and Ford trucks aren’t far behind.
Here is the list:
- 1995 Honda Civic
- 1991 Honda Accord
- 1989 Toyota Camry
- 1997 Ford F-150
- 1994 Chevrolet 1500
- 1994 Acura Integra
- 2004 Dodge Ram
- 1994 Nissan Sentra
- 1988 Toyota Pickup
- 2007 Toyota Corolla
Where Are They Stolen From?
Four of the top five cities for car theft in the United States are in California. Las Vegas, NV has the honor of being the only non-CA city that broke into the top five award territory.
Here is that list:
- Modesto, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Diego/San Marcos/Carlsbad metro area, CA
- Stockton, CA
- San Francisco/Bay area, CA
There appears to be some good news in the report, however. Auto thefts on a national level appear to be down by as much as 9% when compared to data from 2006.
Most Popular New Car Colors!
DuPont Automotive has released it’s annual Color Popularity Report – a study that analyzes color trends in the United States and around the world.
The report found that in 2008 1 in 5 vehicles in North America were white. Black and silver tied for second, each with 17%. Blue, gray, and red had 13%, 12%, and 11% respectively.
Some car buyers take this report in account when purchasing their vehicles. They want to make sure that they choose a popular color now so they don’t limit the number of people who may be interested in their vehicle when they attempt to sell it a few years in the future.
Here is the complete list:
- White – 20%
- Black – 17%
- Silver – 17%
- Blue – 13%
- Gray – 12%
- Red – 11%
- Beige/Brown – 5%
- Green – 3%
- Yellow/Gold – 2%
- Other colors – less than 1%
The Rest of the World?
DuPont found that white and silver are popular in most other countries, as well. Silver is particularly favored in Asia. In fact, 50% of Koreans chose that color, with 32% of Chinese doing so.
White and silver accounted for more than half the cars in India – white with 28%, followed by silver with 27%.
Future Ford’s Truck Expert Is A Girl!
Sherri Wicksten - Ford Truck Expert!
The world of trucks has been dominated by men and guy-talk since Henry Ford created the Model T over 100 years ago.
UNTIL NOW!
Sherri Wicksten is Future Ford’s truck expert with 12-years experience – and she is definitely a girl!
You’ll find her at Future Ford Hyundai of Concord off I-680.
WALK THE TALK
Sherri won’t let you make a costly mistake.
She’ll start your visit with a “Needs Assessment,” and apply her experience, knowledge, and training to match you with exactly the right truck after determining model, HP, wheelbase, accessories, payload, and personal factors like your body’s comfort.
Sherri is certified by Ford as a Light and Heavy Duty Truck expert. She graduated from Ford’s Truck School and has 12-years experience with Ford trucks.
FROM THE FRONT LINES OF TRUCK SALES
I have watched hardened truck buyers sink back in their chairs, slack-jawed, and amazed that the person sitting across from them (Sherri Wicksten, the girl) knew more than them about gear ratios, axle types, and standard versus HD payload capacities.
Sherri told me: If someone owns a contractor or landscape business and they need to carry additional payload I’ll work with them to make sure that their new truck is up to the task and won’t let them down. I need to know what the new truck will be carrying, how heavy the load will be, if they will be pulling a trailer, and if so, how much weight they plan to to tow.
She went on to explain: What payload package will they need? Which axle ratio is required? Gas or diesel? Do they really need to pay more for a larger engine, or can they stay will a smaller displacement, saving money upfront and over the long haul with increased fuel economy?
Need help calculating GVR? GVWR? CW? Ask Sherri. She uses the C.O.P. method to calculate. Still confused? Just call her.
TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
Buying a truck these days is far more complicated than ever before.
Sherri agrees: Specifications – and especially the technology on our trucks - are constantly changing. It’s difficult for buyers to keep up. That’s why Ford spends so much time and effort TRAINING it’s top Truck sales staff – so we can identify and head off problems BEFORE they ruin your day!
Sherri Wicksten is tops in her field with a wide range of experience in the automotive industry. At Michael Stead’s Ford dealership in Walnut Creek she developed skills as Sales Manager, Fleet Manager, and Internet Director, guiding the company to expanded sales using that growing technology.
Her financial background also comes in handy:
I spent a few years as a loan officer for a major Bay area Credit Union and helped them develop their emerging Car Store business. I was as much a vehicle broker as a loans officer, working directly with a wide variety of auto dealers in the Bay area.
Sherri is now Internet Director at Future Ford Hyundai of Concord.
NEED A TRUCK?
For a Ford truck – light or heavy duty, talk to the East Bay’s Ford Truck Expert – Sherri Wicksten. She is not just a Truck Expert, she can help you with financing issues (something that is particularly important these days). And don’t forget: Sherri has a track record for some of the best customer service in the industry.
Sherri can be reached at swicksten@futurefordofconcord.com or 925-686-5000, extension- #150.
How Much Can I Save With A 0% Auto Loan?
Yesterday I announced that Ford is unveiling a rather incredible 0% for 72 months promotion on most models beginning this Friday the 13th as part of their President’s Day weekend sale. This is a huge saving for our customers, especially when you consider that the savings you make on this financing package kick in after you negotiate your best price. I also mentioned that, in part, we can thank the economic downturn for savings of this order, because, in all likelihood, without the downturn Ford would not be putting this much money on the table.
The question today is how much can you save when you get 0% from a manufacturer? BTW, a word of caution about some of the 0% offers you find advertised in your local newspaper. If the APR incentive does not come from the manufacturer it may not be a real saving to you. In other words, a local dealer will often pass along the cost of lowering the interest rate by raising the price of the vehicle from what they would normally sell it for. This can result in an effective – and unofficial – two-price system: a higher price for financing with 0%, and a lower price for cash or a regular financing rate. As a consumer you can catch this marketing ploy by reading the fine print of the advertisement. It may say something like: “Dealer participation may affect selling price.” As usual, consumers need to be at the top of their game, and as always – buyer beware.
However, when an auto manufacturer advertises a low APR it is a real saving to you because you are able to negotiate the price of the vehicle completely independent from the interest rate on the loan.
What kind of savings are possible with 0% financing? Let’s take the example of someone borrowing $20,000 over 72 months (6-years). Further, let’s compare a 0% loan with a regular loan that has an interest rate of 6.99%. This is one way of calculating the difference:
Loan #1 – Borrowing $20,000 @6.99% over 72 months has a monthly payment of $340.88.
Loan #2 – Borrowing $20,000 @ 0.00% over 72 months has a monthly payment of $277.77.
How much do you save over 72 months? $340.88 less 277.77 = $63.11 is what you save per month. Multiply this times the 72 month term of the loan and your total savings are:
$63.11 x 72 = $4543.
Wow. Over $4500 savings on just the financing. This kicks in after you negotiate what should be a low price for the vehicle itself. And with the Ford promotion that begins this Friday you may get additional cash back (up to $1,000) depending on the model you are interested in.
0% financing can save you a huge amount of money. Negotiate your best price first, and make sure the incentive comes from the manufacturer – or be very careful so you don’t end up paying more to get less.
Questions? Email me at james@BayAreaCaGuy.com
Can You Benefit From the Economic Downturn?
With doom and gloom pervading America today it may surprise you to learn that there are some bonifide deals available for those who are in a position to take advantage of them. I dare say that without the economic downturn the ability to save many thousands of dollars would not be presenting itself at our store beginning this Friday the 13th (sounds ominous, doesn’t it?).
Not only is Ford offering 0% for 72 months (sure, you’ll find some manufacturer’s offering 0% for 24 or 36 months, maybe 48, and occassionally 60, but almost no one offers 0% for this long of a term – 72 months or 6-years), but there is additional cash back on some models if you finance through Ford Credit. (Fine print: You have to qualify for 0% and some models are excluded.)
Check in tomorrow to see a break down of the figures and exactly how much you save with 0% financing.
Your savings don’t actually begin or end with 0% because the offer from Ford is calculated after you get a sale price from me. If you have followed this website you know that I recently transferred to Michael Stead’s Hilltop Ford from a nearby Honda dealership, and as the Internet Sales Manager I’m eager to see how low Ford prices can really go. In other words, I’m out to provide the best value in the Bay area on any of our Ford vehicles in stock! Email me at james@BayAreaCarGuy.com to see what I can do for you, and how low I can go for you, your friends, or your family.
And don’t believe the negative hype that no one is lending money anymore. Virtually all automakers continue to make car loans in a big way. Ford Credit is no exception. While it is true that the sub-prime auto loan market (less than stellar credit) has been squeezed from the “anything goes” mentality of the last few years, our experienced finance managers at Michael Stead’s Hilltop Ford continue to make loans in the sub-prime range. The only difference is that now the loans have to make sense to the lender based on stricter guidelines. In other words, each case has to be assessed on its own merits. And the good news is that we are regularly getting our sub-prime customers approved.
If you need a car, truck, or SUV and you have less than average credit or better, then RUN – don’t walk – to Michael Stead’s Hilltop Ford this President’s Day weekend for unheard savings on new Ford vehicles. Take advantage of one the few positive aspects of the economic downturn and save big while you can.
BTW, if you want to confirm your credit worthiness prior to coming in simply go to BetterLoanBetterCar.com and fill out our online credit application. Write “ATT: James” in the application and it will come straight to my desk.
Good luck and good shopping. And remember: Don’t believe all the doom and gloom, at least not while you can get 0% for the next 72 months/6-years on a new Ford vehicle + possibly even cash back! Tune in tomorrow to find out exact figures on the savings you can earn this weekend.
