E-Z Way Auto Sales Blog - Your Used Car Dealership in Hickory, Morganton, Lincolnton, and Lenoir North Carolina

September 9, 2020September 9, 2020

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

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.

August 12, 2020August 12, 2020

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

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.

July 24, 2020July 24, 2020

How to Care for Your Unused Car

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.

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020

Get a Great Deal on a Used Vehicle

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.

May 27, 2020May 27, 2020

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

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.

April 7, 2020April 7, 2020

2020 Camaro Is A Racetrack Powerhouse

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.

March 19, 2020March 19, 2020

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

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.

February 27, 2020February 27, 2020

The 2019 Winners of the Best Resale Value Awards

Kelley Blue Book has unveiled the winners of the Best Resale Value Awards for 2019. Throughout the first five years of owning a vehicle, depreciation overall costs more than insurance, maintenance, and fuel combined. As such, it’s a good idea to opt for one of these vehicles, which can retain much of their value over time.

Truck options

Trucks tend to hold their value well, which is why they account for many of the winners on the Best Resale Value Awards list. On average, the capable and powerful Ford F-Series models can retain 50.6 percent of their resale value after 60 months and 57.5 percent after 36 months.

Combining both truck and SUV features, the uniquely-designed Honda Ridgeline retains 51.3 percent of its resale value after 60 months and 63.2 percent after 36 months. After 60 months, the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado holds 53.7 percent of its resale value. The strong GMC Sierra also has an impressive resale value, retaining 56.7 percent after 60 months.

The capable SUV

Made for both on and off-road adventures, the 2019 Jeep_® Wrangler snagged the second-highest spot on the list. The SUV retains 58.3 percent of its resale value after 60 months and 66.5 percent after 36 months.

Toyota models

Toyota earned three of the sought-after spots on the list with the 4Runner, Tundra, and Tacoma. According to Kelley Blue Book, the Tacoma has the best resale value of any other 2019 model. The truck retains 62.2% after 60 months and 69.4% after 36 months.

If you’re interested in any of these vehicles, be sure to visit E-Z Way Auto Sales to check out our used vehicle inventory.

January 28, 2020January 28, 2020

What is a CPO Vehicle?

If you’ve ever shopped for a used car, you’ve probably heard the term “CPO vehicle.” CPO stands for Certified Pre-Owned, which is a special category of used car that goes through a series of tests and meets certain qualifications to be considered “certified” by the dealership.

Qualifications

Every vehicle brand has its own rules, but in general, to be considered certified, a vehicle has to pass a rigorous inspection to guarantee it’s in good shape, be about six model years old or newer, have driven less than a certain number of miles, and have a clean vehicle history report.

The report means that the car doesn’t have any serious mechanical issues, obvious cosmetic defects, or significant crashes in its history.

Benefits

Buying a CPO vehicle is a little more expensive than buying a regular used car, but it comes with plenty of benefits, in addition to peace of mind. CPO programs usually offer exclusive warranties you wouldn’t get buying an uncertified used car, and you can even qualify for a special low-interest rate on your loan.

Many CPO programs feature other benefits like emergency roadside assistance, travel reimbursement, and other assistance in the event that you’re in an accident or need repairs or maintenance done on your vehicle.

To learn more about the Certified Pre-owned guarantees that each automaker offers and to browse our extensive CPO inventory, pay is a visit at E-Z Way Auto Sales.

December 30, 2019December 30, 2019

How Do Car Loans Work?

Car loans can be more complex than they seem on the surface, which is one reason it’s important to do your homework before car shopping. For instance, a lower monthly payment on your car often means that you’re spending more in the long run, and not all interest rates are designed to be equal. Finding the ideal car loan for you is key to saving money.

There are three basic components to a car loan: “loan amount,” “APR,” and “term.” You want the lowest loan amount possible, which you can either reduce by negotiating or making a larger down payment. The APR, or annual percentage rate, refers to the interest you pay on the principle (the loan amount) and fees. The lower the APR, the more you save. Finally, the loan term refers to how long you’ll pay off a car. Extending a term can significantly reduce your monthly payments, but it will cost you considerably more in interest.

Find the balance that works for you. Ideally, you want the lowest loan amount, rates, and loan terms, which often means choosing a car with a low sticker price. However, there isn’t one-size-fits-all way to get a car. If you want to spend a little more to get a new car or a luxury vehicle, just be sure to consider the added expense of extending a loan term or raising the APR.

If you have any questions about a car loan, swing by EZ way Auto Sales or give us a call. We’re ready and waiting to help.