Buying a Used Car in SC: Tips for Timing it Right

“Your best work involves timing. If someone wrote the best hip hop song of all time in the Middle Ages, he had bad timing.” –Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert

You’ve heard the timing clichés before. Timing is everything. Strike while the iron’s hot. And now: don’t write hip hop if the people want medieval chants.

What does this have to do with buying a used car? A successful used car buying experience relies on timing. Consider the things that need to happen for your used car purchase to be successful. You have to:

• Secure an affordable auto loan
• Find the right car for sale at the right price
• Close the deal with a seller you trust

All three factors rely on timing. Let’s take a look at each one.

Securing an affordable auto loan

Your financing costs are impacted by market conditions and by your credit history. Market conditions in early 2013 are favorable for used car buyers. According to a report from Experian Automotive, longer loan terms and low interest rates have kept monthly loan payments affordable for both new and used car buyers in recent months. Experian also found that average credit scores had declined—meaning that auto financing was easier to get than it had been the year before.

Your individual credit history is also a significant factor. It determines whether you get the best available interest rate, or something slightly higher. You may want to request your credit report from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Seeing your report provides two benefits:

• You’ll have more realistic expectations about interest rates.
• You’ll have the opportunity to dispute any errors in your file.

You can estimate what your rate might be, but you won’t know for sure until you apply for a loan. When you’re ready for this step, you can complete a finance application on the Dodgeland of Columbia website. Dodgeland does work with several local banks to provide you with competitive loan rates.

Choosing the right car

Choosing the right used or pre-owned car usually involves a trade-off between what you want and what you can afford. To make this decision easier, create a prioritized list of what’s important to you. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but common considerations include:

• Warranty
• Maintenance costs
• Fuel economy
• Legroom
• Cargo space
• Exterior styling

Stay focused on features, rather than specific models and colors. Remember what Scott Adams says about hip hop in the Middle Ages. Your car search will be disappointing if you only want red 2010 Dodge Charger and there isn’t one for sale within the entire state of South Carolina.

Finding the right seller 

Choosing the right dealer is as important as choosing the right car. This is particularly true in South Carolina, where lemon laws don’t apply to used car purchases and there’s no buyer’s remorse law that lets you cancel a contract. You have to know a dealer is providing reputable service and good value. You should feel confident that you can ask your dealer for help identifying suitable vehicles. When you have that kind of confidence in a dealership, you know the time is right for you to buy.

When the Time is Right to Buy a Used Car

Dodgeland of Columbia has you covered as the dealer you can trust. We invite you to drop in and see for yourself. Test drive some of our used cars. Ask us about our service philosophy. Chat with the folks in the parts department. Get a sense of who we are and how we treat our customers. Take a moment to see what others have to say about their experiences with us.

Owned by JT’s Cars, Dodgeland of Columbia has been serving the community for 20 years and has some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the southeast. The Dodgeland Paint & Collision Center is I-CAR Gold Class certified, DRP (Direct Repair Program) and certified by most insurance companies. Even better, repair costs average 33% less than other dealerships and collision centers! Visit Dodgeland or any one of the JT’s dealerships today; we’re here to exceed your expectations.

 

Lighting the Way to 2014 with American Muscle: the Future of Dodge

While we can’t give you a crystal ball to see into the rest of the year, we’ve come across some very exciting predictions for Dodge in 2014…  and if the predictions are true, American muscle is really about to flex!

Large cars: Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, etc

With thanks to source Mopar392. All the large cars get the seven-inch configurable dashboard first seen on Dart and Ram 1500; a new steering wheel design that makes playing with the dashboard easier; UConnect 2 with the 8.4 inch central screen; and eight-speed automatics across the board. They also all get new headlights with integrated daytime running lights (e.g. bright LEDs that remain on, unless the driver overrides them).

2014 Dodge Charger

For Hemi cars (and new to Challenger V6), a standard eight-speed automatic will increase both gas mileage and acceleration; it will be used on the standard, 6.4 (392) SRT8, and supercharged 6.2 “Hellcat” SRT8 engines.

Dodge Challenger moves to its new LA platform, nearly the same size but with numerous updates to allow for production flexibility and new automatics and electronics. Chrysler considers this a “refresh,” but in many ways it’s a new car. The front and rear will be revised; the interior will be overhauled; and of course the HellCat 6.2 supercharged Hemi and eight-speed transmission will be included. The SRT 392 will be differentiated from the 6.2 by wheels, badges, and perhaps a different hood. This might end up as part of the 2015 model year.

Dodge Charger gets the same changes as the other cars; the SRT8 version gets the Hellcat supercharged Hemi. The wheel shown on Charger Juiced might be launched on HellCat equipped cars, and a heat extracting hood might be used with HellCat.

2014 Dodge Challenger SRT8

The Alfa Romeo 169, based on the 300C or Charger, will appear around 2015.

One source, Mopar392, said that the Charger and 300 would become a modified Maserati Ghibli, with parts swapped as needed to reduce the cost; he described the Ghibli as being an LX with all the Mercedes “stuff” tossed out so it could have a true Maserati feel.

Ram Pickups and Chassis Cabs:   DS Ram 1500 • D2/DJ Ram HD • DD/DP Chassis Cabs

For 2014, Rams get better gas mileage than they did in 2012: the 2013 Ram 1500 came with stop/start technology and eight-speed automatics with both the V6 and Hemi, along with a tough, lightweight ZF axle. A plug-in hybrid was developed and held back in case of higher gas prices. (See the 2013 Ram 1500 page and the 2014 Ram HD (2500/3500) page).

A 6.4 Hemi option arrives for the Ram heavy duty trucks (the first time an SRT size engine is available for a non-SRT car), along with a new Aisin transmission to compete with the GM’s Allisons. Heavy duty Ram pickups get an optional air suspension setup, more rugged than the one in the Grand Cherokee. The Long Hauler concept used a Kelderman air suspension in front and rear, for higher capacity with a smoother ride; that model was based on the Ram 5500. The Long Hauler joins the lineup for 2014 at last.

2014 Dodge Ram

Other cars

Viper continues, and for 2014, a new Competition Coupe is released based on tuning done at tracks around the world.

• Dodge Avenger has a very short 2014 model year, with production stopping around January-February 2014.
• Dodge Charger is refreshed, essentially getting the same upgrades as Chrysler 300C (see above). There may be a supercharged Hemi in SRT versions.
• Dodge Dart gains all wheel drive. The R/T may or may not appear, using a turbocharged 2.4 liter engine.
• Dodge Journey continues for another year.

While all this can still neither be confirmed nor denied, Dodgeland of Columbia will remain your source for all the latest, from the trim levels to the lease specials!

Dodge Ram – The Mascot of Strength for Over 80 Years

Although Dodge had produced trucks since 1917, the 1981 pickups were the first to sport the Ram name. Dodge actually used a Ram’s head hood ornament back in 1933 to characterize its trucks as rugged vehicles. The symbol was dropped in the 1950s and then resurrected for 1981 when Dodge’s marketing team decided to name Dodge’s trucks after the tough beast and brought back the old mascot.  After over 30 years, the Dodge Ram is still the most highly sought-after model when it comes to Dodge truck muscle, so we decided to take a closer look at why:

• The new Ram 1500 is making a name for itself on the road and on the airwaves. Ruedas ESPN, the leading Spanish-language automotive radio show, named the 2013 Ram 1500 its Truck of the Year. Jamie Florez, Director and Host of Ruedas ESPN, cited it as an example of a vehicle being both attractive and efficient.
• The 2012 Ram 1500 is among the top again, as it was named A Consumers Digest Best Buy⁺ in the automotive category for the 2012 model year. Calling the Ram 1500 ride and handling first-rate, Consumers Digest also noted enhancements like the six-speed automatic transmission. The 2012 Ram 1500 was also recognized for the optional 5.7L HEMI® V8, which gets 390 HP and 20 HWY MPG
• It’s no surprise that the 2011 Ram 1500 was named to the prestigious Automobile magazine All-Stars list. A repeat winner, the Ram 1500 was honored for both its Best-in-Class driving dynamics and its array of comforts. Editors noted that the truck’s cabin “excels in attention to detail,” and that its hand-crafted interior compliments other crew cab storage features, like in-floor bins and the handy available RamBox® Cargo Management System.
• Off-Road Adventures magazine named the RAM brand its MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR, calling our 2011 lineup “one of the most innovative lineups of full-size trucks on the market… with great looks, refined interiors and durable engines.” We couldn’t agree more. We pride ourselves on making trucks, and making them better year after year. The result? A new lineup of fully-loaded pickups, with refined interiors, ample storage space and modern conveniences.
• The 2011 Ram 1500 rode away with the most prestigious honor given by the Texas Auto Writers Association — and for good reason. Ram 1500 has long been an exceptional all-around perfect truck for those who work hard and play hard. “You’ve got to love how tough it is and how comfortable it is,” said TAWA President Michael Herzing, “especially if you’re in a truck all day, like many Texans.” Ram 1500 swept every category it entered, following two days of intense scrutiny by more than 40 automotive journalists.
• Hunting, fishing, camping, boating. It’s all part of the Texas lifestyle. And no truck embodies that more than the rugged, versatile Ram 1500 Outdoorsman®. Maybe that’s why the 2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman was named “Full-size Pickup Truck of Texas” by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).
• The 2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn® was named the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) “Luxury Pickup Truck of the Year.” When it arrived at the Annual TAWA Truck Rodeo, judges could see there was something special about this truck. Something that spoke the language of the Lone Star State in luxurious materials, like burled walnut, leather and chrome. “Some of the added touches like the leather saddle bags and other Southwest details are uniquely Texan but appeal to everyone,” said TAWA President Michael Herzing.
• Edmunds.com wasn’t pulling any punches when it referred to the Ram 1500 as “the guy who regular Joes love to hate — it’s got the looks, the muscles and the talent.” And the Ram 1500 is the 2011 Edmunds.com Consumers’ Top Rated® Large Light-Duty Truck. Edmunds.com noted that the Ram 1500 offers “everything you need in a tough work truck” and that the “powerful engine lineup includes a brawny HEMI® V8.” Consumer comments praised the interior features and amenities, storage and fuel economy.

2012 Dodge Ram

As expected, the latest Dodge Ram generation offers more of everything — style, luxury and performance. However, it also offers something not typically seen in a traditional full-size pickup truck: a coil spring rear suspension as opposed to the old-fashioned (though certainly rugged) leaf spring design. Benefits include a smoother ride, lighter weight and improved off-road performance.

Beneath the handsome, sculpted lines is a more powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V8 making a healthy 390 horses. And thanks to an improved cylinder deactivation system and a more aerodynamic body, the big V8 rates the same gas mileage as the weakling base V6. The latter soldiers on with a four-speed automatic, while the 4.7-liter V8 (again paired with a five-speed automatic) offers better performance with virtually the same fuel mileage.

The cabin saw noticeable improvements in materials and build quality while storage spaces are plentiful — including, on crew cab models, watertight compartments under the rear floor.

2012 Dodge Ram Interior

Key options, depending on trim level, include the “RamBox” (a pair of large built-in compartments atop the bed sides), a rearview parking camera, a navigation system with real-time traffic reporting, Bluetooth, iPod integration, and heated/cooled front seats. The TRX package is geared toward off-roaders with its skid plates, heavy-duty rear shocks, tow hooks, two-tone paint and fender flares.

If there’s any more you need to know about the Dodge Ram, or any new or used truck in or around Columbia or Charlotte, SC, the only place to go is Dodgeland – SC’s hub for everything Dodge and more, not to mention the most modern collision center in the state.  At Dodgeland, the Paint and Collision Center costs average 33% less than other dealerships and body shops, and that’s just a glimpse of the savings and value.  Check out the new Ram specials now!

Collision Repair – Not Just Anywhere!

Accidents happen, no two ways about it; but do you know if the mechanic working on your automobile is certified or even the auto body shop? The fact is that most people who are involved in fender benders or other types of damage want to get their car fixed ASAP. The national average is that 75% of people polled do not even know if the auto body shop is even certified to work on their car, or even if they have a certified specialist that knows how your car works.

We here at the Dodgeland Body Shop want you to be informed and know who is working on your car, and some key questions to ask before choosing a auto body shop and starting repairs:

Is the auto body shop certified? And by who?
Is the recommendation coming from your insurance company?
What is their BBB rating?
If the company has an online site (Facebook, Twitter, General Website) what is others saying about their service?
How much experience does the mechanics have on working on different brands of cars? Do they specialize on your car?
Do they work with certified parts of your car manufacturer or use 3rd party parts? Do they give you a choice to choose which to use?
Do they offer online viewing of the car when it is being worked on?
Do they offer a warranty on their work and how long is the warranty?

Most auto body shops offer some sort of answer to the questions above. If the auto body shop does not then you need to talk to your insurance provider and find a auto body shop that will take care of you as much as your car. Always remember that you have the right to choose where your car is being worked on.  When it comes to collisions, the Dodgeland Paint & Collision center costs an average of 33% less than other body shops and collision centers!

As always, you can count on Dodgeland to have the most modern body shop equipment and expertise in South Carolina… our body shop is I-CAR Gold Class Certified and Direct Repair Program (DRP) certified by most insurance companies!

Dodge Certified Pre-Owned, Guaranteed Peace of Mind

Late in the 20th century, when the median transaction price for a new car passed $25,000, the concept of leasing was born. While it enabled consumers to pay a low down payment and only the depreciation of the car for the duration of the lease, it left dealerships with an abundance of low-mileage used cars in need of new drivers. The concept of Certified Pre-Owned was the solution – subject the vehicles to rigorous mechanical inspection, make an accurate assessment of the remaining life of the car, and sell it with the reassurance of a warranty.

With such a guarantee, and therefore alleviation of risk and anxiety, why would consumers still purchase from a private seller? “CPO” vehicles typically cost $1,500 – $2,000 more than a privately sold used car, but forgoing that premium also means forgoing any legal recourse if anything goes wrong with your new purchase. In fact, the discount found in buying privately is only valuable to those who don’t mind the risk, and who can accept a “what you do or don’t see is what you get” chance. Considering that chance may cost you far more than the extra cost of purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from a dealership, any buyer’s best bet is to buy something with certainty to begin with.

A CPO vehicles sold by Dodge come with the uncompromised standards of a brand new Dodge car or truck. All Dodge CPO vehicles are less than five model years old and have less than 65,000 miles and come with no frame damage, a clean title and a guarantee that any after-market accessories have not compromised emissions, safety or the operation of the CPO…

Dodge Certification Standards & Inspection

In addition to Dodge’s impeccable quality regulations, each Dodge CPO is guaranteed to be a well-maintained, late-model Dodge. Expertly trained technicians put every CPO vehicle through a 125-point inspection, a reconditioning process with Authentic Mopar parts and CARFAX Vehicle History Report review.

A Dodge CPO vehicle inspection includes, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Just Like New - Every Dodge CPO comes is equipped with the owners and warranty manuals, CARFAX Report, operational key and a CPO Consumer Warranty Booklet.
• Mechanical Standards - A pre-road test and under the hood and operational checks, steering performance, equipment operation, Powertrain and braking performance, vehicle comfort assurance and a post-road test.
• Maintenance Standards - Inspects and/or changes all fluid levels, filters, hose replacement, front and rear brake component condition, identifying all non-Mopar accessories, tires and wheels, shocks, struts, CV boots, exhaust system, suspension, steering components and a StarScan diagnostic.
• Looking Good - Includes interior and exterior checks on body and door panels, bumpers, glass, truck bed and bed liner (if applicable), instrument panel, seating, carpet, floor mats and luggage compartment/trunk.
• Clean as a Whistle - This portion of the inspection is for assurance of exterior and interior detailing to include a clean engine compartment, touch-ups (if necessary), wash, wax, removal of tar or bugs, and an overall interior cleaning that includes shampooing and vacuuming. It also assures that there are no leaks, odors or moisture.

Dodge takes its CPO vehicle inspections very seriously and if the vehicle does not pass any portion of the 125-point inspection, it will not be certified.

Peace of Mind

A Dodge CPO vehicle warranty is valid for 3-month/3,000 mile non-transferable Maximum Care® coverage with a $150 deductible. Dodge also provides a transferable (one-time only) 6-year/80,000 mile Powertrain warranty and limited lifetime warranty upgrades. The limited warranty includes repair and replacement of driveline, engine and transmission-with some exclusions. The Dodge CPO vehicle warranty also provides 24-hour roadside assistance and a car rental allowance.

There’s no price one can place on assurance as good as the Dodge CPO program, but it’s always good to know that Dodgeland of Columbia works with several banks to get you the best financing available!  Long after you take delivery, you’ll be driving with the peace of mind that Dodgeland will also keep that CPO running like new with their state-of-the-art maintenance facility with a fully-stocked parts department (no waiting!) and even a frame straightening machine!

Myths of Bad Credit and Car Loans – You Can Get Financed!

Over 1/3 of people today have bad credit, and even more are unaware of how it will affect purchases, especially something as important as a new or used car loan.  The truth is that a lot of good people have less-than-perfect credit scores for very understandable reasons, like medical bills and student loans, but a bad credit score doesn’t stop you from getting the family or commuter vehicle that’s perfect for you.  If you’ve believed one of the following common credit myths, it’s time you gave us a call…

1) Bad credit is uncommon. If you have bad credit you may feel as though you are being singled out, when in reality, having bad credit is a fairly common problem. 1 in 3 people have bad credit, and it’s not as big an obstacle as you might think!

2) Bad credit is forever. It all depends on the type of reasons that led to a bad credit score. Diamonds may be forever, but your credit score can literally change overnight.Making auto loan payments on time and paying off existing credit cards can be fast, effective ways to repair damaged credit. Eventually, the reasons for the decrease in credit score become less important, and a person’s history of responsibility holds more weight than their past.

3) Approval for bad credit auto loans takes a long time.  Dodgeland of Columbia understands that good people can have bad credit scores for lots of good reasons and makes it easy for you to start rebuilding with a fresh car loan quickly and easily. Just apply online with our online finance application if you’re still researching.

4) Bad credit auto loan terms are forever. Initially, the interest rate on a bad credit loan might be higher than its good-credit counterpart. However, if you are attentive about making payments on time and prove that you have good responsibility with the loan, you may eventually be able to negotiate refinancing at a more competitive rate.  Again, diamonds may be forever, but not the terms of your loan!

5) Getting a bad credit auto loan will damage your credit score. While there are many reasons that a person’s credit score falters, getting a bad credit loan is not one of them. In fact, if you make regular payments on the loan, over time a bad credit auto loan can actually help improve your credit score.

If you are ready to learn more about getting into a new or used car around Columbia, SC visit us online and pre-qualify in minutes. Our sales team is standing by to answer any questions you have, understand your individual needs and work out a way to hand you your new keys.

Even bad credit won’t keep new car keys out of your hands!

The 2013 Dodge Challenger – American Muscle meets the American Family

Unlike the Challenger, this is no retro homage, but rather an update of the basic aggressive shape of the previous model. And it really works… with some available upgrades, the Dodge Charger can easily rival luxury sedans that cost thousands more!

Quite the Supermodel

The first thing you notice is the pronounced shark nose front snout, with the four quadrant blacked-out grill. The lower front fascia with integrated fog lights and wide air duct completes the aggressive front-end styling. Picking up on the shark theme are the gill-like sculpted character lines that run from the front doors to the rear wheels. And that theme is also evident on top of the dual scalloped aluminum hood. The tapered silhouette roofline integrates nicely to the rear deck ending with an aggressive rear deck spoiler. The “racetrack” taillamp design incorporates 164 LED lights. Dual trapezoidal chrome exhaust tips peek menacingly out from the lower rear fascia.

2013 Dodge Charger

Twenty-five years from now, when people go to collector car auctions, they won’t be bidding on Camrys, Accords and Passats. But they will have their checkbooks out for this car.

The Dodge Charger gets Greener

The Pentastar V6 is an outstanding powerplant.  With 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, there’s plenty of get-up-and-go available at your right foot. You can still chirp the tires when leaving a stop light and have plenty of throttle response when powering out of a corner. There’s even a nice exhaust note, more reminiscent of a V8 than V6 when you press down hard on the “go” pedal.

Thankfully, however, it’s definitely not like a V8 in the fuel economy department with a 19-mpg city and 31-mpg highway rating; both figures confirmed by the cars MPG computer.

Some of the credit for the excellent gas mileage and performance goes to Dodge’s new 8-Speed transmission. It allows for excellent off the line power, while delivering the gas mileage of a much smaller less powerful car. The shifts are smooth, and while in normal D-mode the transmission will try to up-shift quickly for mileage purposes. In Sport mode you’ll see higher rpm before up-shifts for more spirited motoring.

Solid and Smooth

The Charger SXT Plus weighs in at nearly two tons, and it feels like it – but in a good way. It is solid as a bank vault cruising down the road, but it handles like a car weighing much less – perhaps in part due to the performance suspension that comes with the Rally Appearance package. That package includes the aforementioned 20-inch wheels and paddle shifters, amongst other goodies.

It corners flat with little body lean, and it almost feels tossable in side-to-side transitions. And being rear wheel drive, it allows for some entertaining driver-induced oversteer when the stability control is turned off.  It’s a fun car to drive aggressively and still offers the excellent ride quality that is easy to live with every day, in all driving conditions.

Luxury on the Inside

The cabin is an inviting environment to spend time in and has benefited greatly from Chrysler’s company-wide attention to interior upgrades. Sound dampening windshield and side glass helps to make the interior whisper quiet. The ‘Plus” package includes power, glove-soft Nappa leather seats, with 4-way lumbar controls and are heated in front and rear. The seats are well bolstered and comfortable. But what really set this interior of our test car off from its silver exterior was the lipstick red color of all the seats, a welcome departure from the black, charcoal grey and beige colors that seem to be the only choices on cars today.

The dash is a clean and simple with the right amount of brightwork and ambient LED lighting to make everything easy to see at night and

2013 Dodge Charger Cockpit

rich-looking soft-touch materials are spread throughout. Dash inserts have a woven metallic look, which offsets the black dash nicely. There is an iPod interface in the console and a lot of excellent and unusual amenities for a car in this price range. Some of those include two memory seat positions, electric tilt and long travel telescopic steering column, electric adjustable foot controls, a lane departure warning system, radar cruise control, not to mention heated and cooled illuminated cupholders, which really work, and even a heated steering wheel.

The large navigation screen that dominates the top of the center stack is touch sensitive and controls the functions for the Heating/Air system, (and there are also simple redundant controls for that beneath the screen) as well as the radio, heated seats, and the telephone interface. All are easy to use and access and a much better system than the console mounted multifunction knob that has become fashionable on so many cars.

The Dodge Charger is a large full size machine, so there is actual room for five adults. Rear seat passengers will enjoy plenty of legroom and despite the sloping roofline, headroom is also good. They have their own 12-volt outlet and controls for their heated seats. The rear seats have a nice center armrest, and the 60/40 split seatbacks fold down to offer more cargo room to the already huge trunk.  It is really a great family vehicle, even if your sons are sized to play pro sports.

Access is easy thanks to doors that open to almost a 90-degree angle, but you have to be careful with that, because if you get into the car while the door is wide open, you’ll need to get back out of it again to be able to grab the handle to close it. Fortunately, there is a detent stop at the normal opening angle, so you learn quickly to find that place before you get into the car. But if you are putting a child in a car seat, that wide opening will be a blessing.

With all that said, visit Dodgeland of Columbia online to learn more about what has literally become the family sedan – enough muscle to keep Dad in the “cool crowd,” safe enough to leave Mom without a worry, and room for the whole family.  With all the amenities, even the longest road trip is a pleasure!