BayAreaCarGuy.com

Why I love Honda Certified Used Cars! Part I

I love selling certified Honda used cars!

Until recently I was the Internet Sales Manager for a major Honda dealership in the San Francisco/Bay area. I sold many, many certified Hondas to customers, friends, and friends of friends. These folks relied on my recommendations to find the right used vehicle for their needs, comfort, and budget. They trusted my judgment. And were so pleased with their experience that they sent their friends to me.

Selling a Certified Honda was a no brainer: there’s virtually no risk for my customers. Our mechanics not only put the vehicles through an extensive inspection – fixing any deficiencies they found – but Honda extended the warranty significantly.

NOW – I’m the Internet Sales Manager at Michael Stead’s Hilltop Ford. I continue to sell pre-owned Hondas and I continue to love the Honda Certified program. However, only an official Honda dealer can certified a Honda. “Too bad for me and my customers,” I thought.

BUT, to provide our customers with that “virtually no risk” experience when purchasing a Honda - Hilltop Ford has instituted a program that duplicates most of the Honda program AND provides better protection. We call this added level of protection our PremiumCare Extended Service package. 

What does this mean to you? It means that we DOUBLE the warranty!

 
Tommorrow - What is the powertrain warranty? And more about the added value you recieve with the PremiumCare package!

You can see the entire article here.

The 8 Biggest Mistakes – #5

Buying a used car can be one of the most stressful things that you’ll do this year. Yet, here are specific steps to:

• make the buying process easier
• ensure you get more than a good deal
• find a vehicle that will last you for years to come

I have compiled a list of the most common mistakes my customers have made when buying used cars. Making any one of these mistakes can cost you hundreds – even thousands of dollars more than necessary. Finally, you can get ahead of the learning curve and buy your next car with confidence.

Mistake #1 – Not test driving early in the buying process.

Mistake #2 – Not checking the CARFAX report.

Mistake #3 – Not looking at the vehicle inspection report.

Mistake #4 – Ignoring fuel consumption.

Mistake #5 – Ignoring Certified cars (CPOs) or extended warranties.

View my YouTube video, “How Can I Sell Used Cars to my Friends and They Won’t Hate Me Afterwards?” to see how my friends and I have remained friends after they purchased pre-owned vehicles from me. It’s a pretty simple formula – I first make sure that our cars are checked out mechanically, and then I try to make some form of warranty available so my friends are protected when problems occur. Here are some different scenarios:

• My mechanics have fully checked out every pre-owned vehicle before it is offered for sale, and every major component of every car has past muster. Then:

My friends buy a vehicle with remaining original factory warranty.

My friends buy a Ford Certified Pre-owned vehicle (CPO). These cars not only meet a higher standard, but Ford significantly extends the warranty at no extra charge.

My friends buy a Stead Certified Pre-owned Vehicle Package w/Warranty Wrap. This pre-owned vehicle meets a higher standard AND comes with an extended warranty. 

My friends buy an extended service contract to cover any future mechanical problems.

By following these steps I know that my friends won’t be mad after they purchase a pre-owned vehicle from me.

INSIDER INFORMATION - Cars, trucks, and SUVs have thousands of moving parts. It is unreasonable to believe that they won’t break down. No matter how well a vehicle is checked out by a mechanic, or looked after by it’s owner, problems will eventually arise. One of the reasons that I work where I do is the Ford Certified Used Car program – it is one of the best in the industry. I also work for the Stead Automotive Group, which demands that every pre-owned vehicle meets a higher standard, and we have the vehicle inspection and history reports to prove it.

Did you know that part of the requirements of the Ford Certified Used Car program and the Stead Automotive Group is to replace tires or brakes if 50-percent of their life isn’t remaining? Vehicles must also pass a minimum 150-point inspection by our mechanics.

Certified programs and extended warranties can get complicated – even confusing – especially when comparing one manufacturer’s program to another. Need help? I have a special CERTIFIED section on my website that will answer most of your questions. it also compares the many manufacturer’s CPO programs with the Stead Certified Pre-owned Vehicle Package w/Warranty Wrap. The Stead CPO package can often save you money while providing a more comprehensive warranty when compared to most manufacturer CPO programs. It’s a win-win situation for my customers. I’m also happy to answer any questions that you may have. Email them to james@BayAreaCarGuy.com

See the next article in the series:

Mistake #6 – Don’t comparison shop.

The 8 Biggest Mistakes – #1

Buying a used car can be one of the most stressful things that you’ll do this year.  Yet, here are specific steps to:

• make the buying process easier
• ensure you get more than a good deal
• find a vehicle that will last you for years to come

I have compiled a list of the most common mistakes my customers have made when buying used cars. Making any one of these mistakes can cost you hundreds – even thousands of dollars more than necessary. Finally, you can get ahead of the learning curve and buy your next car with confidence.

As the Internet Pre-owned Sales Manager for Honda of El Cerrito in the San Francisco/Bay area, I have watched my customers make the same mistakes over and over. However, it only takes a little knowledge to turn a bad car buying experience into one in which;

• you feel more in control
• even your family and friends are impressed with the deal you made

I hope that by sharing my experience I can help turn your next car buying experience into a postive and profitable one for you.

MISTAKE #1 – Not test driving early in the buying process.

As the Internet Pre-owned Sales Manager, I have worked with customers for weeks – even months – corresponding by email and talking on the telephone about price, color, specifications, and availability.

Steve W. spent months researching on the Internet before test driving the car he was hoping to buy. By the time I met him, Steve knew more about the engine, options, and specs of the car than I did. It was a big day when he finally came into the dealership to buy the car. However, when he sat in the driver’s seat for the first time, a sad look came over his face.

I don’t fit in this seat. The visability sucks. I can’t believe that I don’t even like this car. How did I make this kind of mistake?

A particular car may be:

• highly recommended by family and friends
• looks great on paper and has a good reputation
• gets great gas mileage and is priced right
• has all the options that you are looking for

However, none of this matters if you simply don’t like the car once you see it in person. Hands-on experience is crucial – please test drive early in the car buying process. As soon as your short list is reduced to just a few choices, test drive each one of them.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Which vehicle can I see myself driving for the next few years?
• More specifically: Will I still like this vehicle as I continue to make payments on it over the next few years?
• Which one is more comfortable?
• Does it have good visibility?
• Does it have all the options I want?
• Is the color okay?
• How is the gas mileage?
• Is it practical and affordable?

How does it drive on different terrains? Test drive it on:

• City streets
• Curvy roads, rough roads, roads under construction
• Major highways. How is the on-ramp speed?
• Try parallel parking

Open the trunk, the glove box, check the spare tire and tools, sit in the back seat, look under the hood, and kick the tires. After you do all that – well, see mistake #8 where it is crucial to follow your gut instinct.

Test drive early. It’s going to be your car for awhile, so don’t be afraid to go back and test drive a second time.

See the next article in this series:

Mistake #2 – Not checking the CARFAX report.