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Helpful Tips for New Drivers

New Drivers - Hickory, NC

If you’re new to the ways of the road, it’s easy to get so caught up in the excitement of having a ride of your own that you don’t pay attention to its basic care. If you want to keep your car running like new for years to come, follow these tips for new drivers.

Pay attention to weird noises                  

Get in the habit of looking over your car before leaving the driveway and again when you get home. This will help you learn what your car looks, acts, and sounds like, and it will be easier to catch problems early. The sooner drivers get their car to the garage for service, the smaller the bill is likely to be. Some important things to watch for are proper tire pressure, unusual noises, lights that don’t turn on and any other changes you notice over time.

That light is not a decoration

Today’s cars and trucks have a whole array of warning lights and symbols that appear on the dashboard to warn you of impending problems. The car’s owner’s manual will have a complete listing of warning lights and what they mean, and many manuals can now be accessed through the manufacturer’s app on your phone. Once you know what the problem is, make sure to address it as soon as possible.

Stick to a routine maintenance schedule

Even if your car looks and sounds fine and there are no warning lights on the dash, you need to take it to the shop for regular maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations and fluid fill-ups. Trained mechanics will often identify problems that might develop in the future during these seasonal check-ups.

If you want some more tips from the experts — or to find the perfect car for the new driver in your life — don’t hesitate to contact us at E-Z Way Auto Sales, right here in beautiful Hickory, NC.

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Best Used Trucks

Used Trucks - Hickory, NC

At E-Z Way Auto Sales, you’ll always find a great deal on a new vehicle, whether you’re shopping for a new sedan, sports car, pickup truck, crossover, SUV, or minivan. Our inventory is packed with affordable used cars, including some of the best-used trucks on the market in Hickory and Lincolnton, North Carolina.

You can rest assured that we’re not claiming that without any proof, because of 10 best-used trucks under $10,000 and we have multiple of them in stock—including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Toyota Tacoma, and Toyota Tundra.

Car & Driver writer Austin Irwin noted the Silverado 1500 in particular as an excellent pickup truck to buy pre-owned, noting its reliability, ease of repair, and prevalence on the market (so you have many options to choose from).

He also praised the Toyota trucks for their versatility and long-lasting builds. Toyota certainly makes quality trucks that you can drive every day for commutes and use on weekends for carrying your friend’s new furniture.

Check out our current selection of pre-owned trucks at E-Z Way Auto Sales by browsing our online inventory now. We’re sure to have a model in stock at a price point you can afford and a condition you’ll appreciate.

 

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Celebrate Halloween at Home

Halloween at home - Hickory, NC

Not even unprecedented times can stop the spookiest season of the year. Halloween is here, and even if things are a bit different, you can still celebrate at home in style for 2020. With the right plans in place, Halloween in Hickory will be a treat for the whole family.

Carve jack-o’-lanterns

It just wouldn’t feel like Halloween if you didn’t carve out some time for making jack-o’-lanterns. Take a fall afternoon and make the trip north to Johnny Wilson Farm or south to Red Wolf Farm to pick out a pumpkin or 10 — just be sure to maintain safe social distance, wear your mask, and wash your hands.

Once you get your great gourds home, you can set about carving the scariest and silliest faces you can come up with. If you have young children, be mindful of the risks of letting them carve their own — let them draw the faces on and carve the pumpkins for them if possible. Or, if you want to avoid seeds and pulp altogether, try painting your pumpkins instead.

Share a scary story

What better way to get into the Halloween spirit than to share scary stories with the family. You can be as imaginative and creative as you want. Whether you’re reading stories out of a book in the comfort of your living room or making up a story as you go around the fire pit in the back yard, this is a great way to get everyone together to get good and scared.

You’ll find even more thrills if you turn to the silver scream screen for a midnight movie marathon. Pick out a few classic, audience-appropriate horror movies and put together a schedule for movie night. Be sure to pack in an intermission or two for a visit to your home concession stand, where you can pop some popcorn or even bake homemade pretzels or cookies.

Break out the decorations, heavy sweaters, and pumpkin spice flavor, because Halloween isn’t going anywhere. If you’ve got places to go this season, E-Z Way Auto Sales in Hickory, North Carolina, is your home for scary good deals on high-quality pre-owned vehicles. 

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How To Know You’re Buying A Safe Used Car?

Safe Family Car - Hickory, NC

Used cars today are much more reliable and trustworthy than they were in years past. Nevertheless, to ensure you purchase a safe used car for your family, be sure to keep these tips in mind.

 

View safety ratings

 

The NHTSA and IIHS give models safety scores each year, based on the models’ performance in crash tests. If a used car received four or five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, you can count on the car to protect your family.

 

Check the vehicle history report

 

A vehicle history report details a car’s service history and lets you know if the car has been in any accidents. Make sure you thoroughly read through this report before purchasing a used car, even if it doesn’t have any visible damage.

 

Go to a credible seller

 

While buying a used car directly from the previous owner may get you a decent deal, it can be risky, especially if the owner doesn’t have good credentials or documentation on past services. As such, it’s wise to buy from a seller with a great reputation, like a dealership.

 

When you’re in the market for your next safe family hauler, consider the used vehicles we have available at E-Z Way Auto Sales in Hickory, North Carolina.

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Is It a Good Idea to Buy a Pre-Owned EV?

Used EV - Hickory, NC

Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly and cost-saving options, due to their few maintenance needs and, of course, their absence of gas-burning engines. If you’re interested in saving even more money on your next vehicle purchase, a pre-owned EV may be the ideal pick for you.

 

The best reason to purchase a pre-owned EV over a new one is that it comes with a lower price tag, so you don’t have to break the bank when going car shopping. Depending on its age, a pre-owned EV should also have some warranty coverage left, so you won’t have to worry about unexpected repairs and replacements initially.

 

A new EV will decrease in value quickly during the first few years of ownership, even more so than a typical car. If you purchase a pre-owned EV, you won’t have to worry about it drastically depreciating in value. As such, when you decide to sell your pre-owned EV, you will appreciate just how much value it has retained.

 

Some pre-owned vehicles may require additional maintenance since they’ve undergone more wear and tear over the years. However, you can check to see that the EV you’re interested in has a clean history and is up to date on routine maintenance by viewing its vehicle history report.

 

We at E-Z Way Auto Sales have a wide selection of used hybrid and electric vehicles in Hickory, North Carolina. View them in our online inventory when you’re ready for your next car.

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How to Care for Your Unused Car

Unused Vehicle - Hickory, NC

Cars are meant to be driven, and sitting unused for long periods of time isn’t likely to be beneficial for your ride. If you’ve been driving less than usual, or if you have a second car that you don’t use often, check out these tips for keeping your idle vehicle in good shape.

Take a short drive

Taking your unused car out for a 20-minute drive each week is the No. 1 way to care for it. This will help charge up the battery, preserve moving components, protect the tires from flat spots, and keep rubber parts from drying out. Make sure you actually get your vehicle moving — just letting it idle doesn’t have the same effect, and can even be dangerous if done in an enclosed space.

Get protection from critters and crud

If you park your vehicle outside, make sure you clean it regularly so the exterior isn’t damaged by bird droppings or bad weather. You should also take care to park away from bushes or garbage cans, which can attract North Carolina wildlife that might want to make a new home in your engine compartment. If you haven’t started up your vehicle recently, you may want to tap on the hood to scare away any four-legged intruders.

If you experience any problems with your car after long periods of disuse, why not upgrade to a new one? Our sales staff here at E-Z Way Auto Sales in Hickory will be happy to find a vehicle that fits your lifestyle at a great price.

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Get a Great Deal on a Used Vehicle

Get A Great Deal - Hickory, NC

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the U.S. economy, touching every business, including the automotive industry. This economic upheaval, though, may provide a silver lining for you if you’re in the market for a used car. With the price of some used models showing notable decreases, now may be the right time to get an even greater deal on a used vehicle from E-Z Way Auto Sales.

When compared to March prices, the first half of April recorded an 11.8 percent price reduction, according to research published in the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index. In those first 15 April days, three-year-old vehicles were priced 4.8 percent lower. In fact, all major segments posted lower prices than in March.

Across the board, though, only a one percent decrease was posted for retail prices. This modest reduction may be the result of the economy’s prospective return to normalcy. Since retail value is holding close to steady, your trade-in car might not net you as much as you wanted, notes Consumer Affairs reporter Mark Huffman.

If you’re ready to upgrade your ride, you’ll find no limit to high-quality used vehicles from a variety of makers, all at a great price at E-Z Way Auto Sales. Our finance experts will work with you to determine financing or a loan that suits your budget.

Contact E-Z Way Auto Sales in Hickory, North Carolina, and get a great deal on the ideal pre-owned vehicle for your driving needs and budget.

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GMC Is One of the Longest-lasting Brands on the Road

GMC Canyon - Hickory, NC

iSeeCars.com’s recent survey of 15.8 million vehicles revealed GMC is one of the longest-lasting brands on the road, with approximately 1.4 percent of all GMC vehicles regularly hitting 200,000 miles. This impressive reliability put GMC in the study’s top three brands.

“The majority of the longest-lasting SUVs and pickups are American vehicles, which helps contribute to their above-average ranking on this list,” said iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly.

2020 GMC Yukon XL

Not only do GMC vehicles regularly keep going for 200,000 miles or more, one GMC vehicle — the Yukon XL — may add 100,000 miles to your life on the road. This full-size SUV bests its siblings to push the odometer past the 200,000-mile mark to reach nearly 300,000 miles, according to the study.

The Denali trim of the 2020 GMC Yukon XL delivers a potent performance thanks to its standard powertrain of a 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. Driver-assistance technologies designed to help you see hidden dangers such as Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and Front and Rear Park Assist are standard.

Modern technology like a 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot and smartphone integration via an eight-inch diagonal GMC Infotainment System with Navigation will help keep you and your passengers connected and entertained.

Contact E-Z Way Auto Sales in Hickory, North Carolina, to learn more about the dependable lineup of GMC vehicles.

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2020 Camaro Is A Racetrack Powerhouse

2020 Chevy Camaro - Hickory, NC

The 2020 Camaro was built to be racetrack-ready, which is why it’s no surprise that Chevy’s powerhouse performance car performed well during the recent Auto Club 500 race in San Bernadino in February.

The Auto Club 500’s top ten finishers included four Chevy drivers: Alex Bowman in first place, Kurt Busch in third place, Chase Elliot in fourth place, and Jimmie Johnson in seventh place. Over the 200 laps of the race, a Chevrolet driver was in first place for 127 total laps, or, about 63.5 percent of the race.

When asked if he believes the Camaro is partially responsible for his win, cup-winner Alex Bowman said, “I think the new body has helped us a lot, the new Camaro. Any change we make, we make for a reason, and Chevy did a good job with that car.”

If you want to live out your racing fantasies, the Chevrolet Camaro was built for speed. The newest model offers a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that delivers 650 lb-ft of torque and 650 horsepower, RECARO performance racing seats, and Magnetic Ride Control that will make you feel like the champion of the track. Sporty special packages like Redline, Shock, and Steel editions offer attractive customization options. Many of these features are also available on the used Camaros here at our dealership.

To learn more about the 2020 Camaro, give us a ring at E-Z Way Auto Sales.

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Lee Iacocca’s Dodge Viper Sells for Nearly $300,000

2014 Dodge Viper - Hickory, NC

How much money would you be willing to pay for the very first Dodge Viper ever produced? What if it was originally owned by one of the most influential figures in the automotive industry? If your answer was $285,000, congratulations, because that’s exactly how much Lee Iacocca’s Dodge Viper sold for at auction.

In early 2020, Bonham’s auction house in Scottsdale, Arizona, listed the very first Dodge Viper to ever roll off the assembly line. The Viper — a 1992 SRT-10 — was originally owned by Lee Iacocca. According to legend, Mr. Iacocca reportedly pointed to the first production Viper as it was unveiled at a media event and said, “This one right here is mine.”

When Iacocca’s estate initially put the Viper up for auction, it was estimated that the iconic sports car would fetch less than $150,000. The Viper, which had fewer than 6,500 miles and was a part of Mr. Iacocca’s extensive personal collection, ended up selling for more than twice the estimated sale price.

Iacocca, who passed away in 2019, was not only partially responsible for the creation of the Mustang during his time at Ford, but is also widely credited as being the savior of the Chrysler brand when it appeared the automaker was headed toward bankruptcy. Iacocca went on to later introduce the revolutionary Dodge Caravan during his time as Chrysler’s CEO.

Though E-Z Way Auto Sales may not have a huge stock of Dodge Viper’s, we would be thrilled to show you many other amazing vehicles Mr. Iacocca influenced during his time at Chrysler and Ford.