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]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2012/05/18/test/feed/ 0 Understanding and Acquiring a Car Loan in Louisville http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2012/05/01/understanding-and-acquiring-a-car-loan-in-louisville/ http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2012/05/01/understanding-and-acquiring-a-car-loan-in-louisville/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 00:35:55 +0000 admin http://used-cars-louisville.com/?p=45 Most of us do not purchase cars outright. Rather, we look to creditors to provide us with a car loan in Louisville that helps us buy the vehicle that we are looking at. Before you buy a used car in Louisville, take some time to understand the car loan finance process. Knowing how much car you can afford and what your car loan will look like before you peruse cars for sale makes the car buying process a lot easier on you.

Value Your Car Trade In

Often people use their old vehicle as a down payment on their next car in lieu of cash. Take time to see what a car dealer will be able to pay you for your car. You can use sites like Edmunds.com or ask a local dealer to value your trade. Remember that a dealer can’t afford to pay you retail. They have to put money into your car before they sell it and still make a profit when they turn it around.

Understand Car Loan Verbiage

Don’t be confused by the terms used to describe your auto loan. Here are the basics:

  • Principal- The amount of money that you borrow for your loan. Interest is applied to this figure.
  • Interest Rate- This number is a percentage. It represents the percentage of your principal that you pay. Often you will see the term APR (annual percentage rate) which is the percentage of principal you pay over the course of a year.
  • Amortization- Most car loans are structured this way. Basically, you divide your annual interest rate by number of annual payments. Then you multiply this number by your principal, the resulting figure is how much of your monthly payment goes purely to interest (paying your lender), the rest goes to reducing your principal and helping you get out of debt. If this sounds like more that you want to think about, simply use an online car payment calculator to help you estimate your payment. These calculators use an amortization formula.

Look Into your Credit Score

Your credit score determines your interest rate. The better your credit the lower your interest rate. Don’t worry though as MoneyUnder30.com points out:

Here’s the deal: unlike mortgages or a credit card, you can usually get a car loan even if you have pretty bad credit—you’ll just pay (a lot) more. The reason? It’s relatively easy for the banks to repossess a car if you don’t pay.

Credit isn’t always a popular topic. It is an important factor in life though, that shows up yet again when you want to finance a car.

Shop For a Loan

There lots of places to get car loans. You can get them from: banks, credit unions, finance companies and the dealership where you buy your car. Take some time to find the best rate that you can. A lower interest rate means that your car costs less in the end. There are a lot of opinions on who provides the best car loans. Shopping around is your best bet to save the most money. Different entities will have different interest rates and promotions at any given time. Some say that a dealership should be your last option. Don’t discount loans from the dealership itself as a viable option.  As Consumer Reports says:

At a time when automakers are offering aggressive low-interest financing incentives on many models, a dealership may be able to offer you the best financing terms. But you should do your homework beforehand by carefully shopping around for the best loan offers so you have a comparison point.

Once you have an idea of how much you can spend, and what your interest rate will be, it is time to go car shopping. Your knowledge of your car loan will let you eliminate cars that you cannot afford from your search and give you a clearer cut idea of which car you will end up in.

 

]]> Most of us do not purchase cars outright. Rather, we look to creditors to provide us with a car loan in Louisville that helps us buy the vehicle that we are looking at. Before you buy a used car in Louisville, take some time to understand the car loan finance process. Knowing how much car you can afford and what your car loan will look like before you peruse cars for sale makes the car buying process a lot easier on you.

Value Your Car Trade In

Often people use their old vehicle as a down payment on their next car in lieu of cash. Take time to see what a car dealer will be able to pay you for your car. You can use sites like Edmunds.com or ask a local dealer to value your trade. Remember that a dealer can’t afford to pay you retail. They have to put money into your car before they sell it and still make a profit when they turn it around.

Understand Car Loan Verbiage

Don’t be confused by the terms used to describe your auto loan. Here are the basics:

  • Principal- The amount of money that you borrow for your loan. Interest is applied to this figure.
  • Interest Rate- This number is a percentage. It represents the percentage of your principal that you pay. Often you will see the term APR (annual percentage rate) which is the percentage of principal you pay over the course of a year.
  • Amortization- Most car loans are structured this way. Basically, you divide your annual interest rate by number of annual payments. Then you multiply this number by your principal, the resulting figure is how much of your monthly payment goes purely to interest (paying your lender), the rest goes to reducing your principal and helping you get out of debt. If this sounds like more that you want to think about, simply use an online car payment calculator to help you estimate your payment. These calculators use an amortization formula.

Look Into your Credit Score

Your credit score determines your interest rate. The better your credit the lower your interest rate. Don’t worry though as MoneyUnder30.com points out:

Here’s the deal: unlike mortgages or a credit card, you can usually get a car loan even if you have pretty bad credit—you’ll just pay (a lot) more. The reason? It’s relatively easy for the banks to repossess a car if you don’t pay.

Credit isn’t always a popular topic. It is an important factor in life though, that shows up yet again when you want to finance a car.

Shop For a Loan

There lots of places to get car loans. You can get them from: banks, credit unions, finance companies and the dealership where you buy your car. Take some time to find the best rate that you can. A lower interest rate means that your car costs less in the end. There are a lot of opinions on who provides the best car loans. Shopping around is your best bet to save the most money. Different entities will have different interest rates and promotions at any given time. Some say that a dealership should be your last option. Don’t discount loans from the dealership itself as a viable option.  As Consumer Reports says:

At a time when automakers are offering aggressive low-interest financing incentives on many models, a dealership may be able to offer you the best financing terms. But you should do your homework beforehand by carefully shopping around for the best loan offers so you have a comparison point.

Once you have an idea of how much you can spend, and what your interest rate will be, it is time to go car shopping. Your knowledge of your car loan will let you eliminate cars that you cannot afford from your search and give you a clearer cut idea of which car you will end up in.

 

]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2012/05/01/understanding-and-acquiring-a-car-loan-in-louisville/feed/ 0 Buying KY Used Cars Part 1: Examining the Interior http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2012/01/03/buying-ky-used-cars-part-1-examining-the-interior/ http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2012/01/03/buying-ky-used-cars-part-1-examining-the-interior/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:17:36 +0000 admin http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2012/01/03/buying-ky-used-cars-part-1-examining-the-interior/ You might think that buying used cars in Kentucky is not much different than buying used cars elsewhere. In many ways you are correct; however, it is important to realize that many Kentuckians drive their cars and trucks differently than those living in other states because of the jobs, weather patterns, and terrain that cars in Kentucky are uniquely exposed to. For instance, cars that spend years in Kentucky are exposed to an ever-changing climate and terrain, which means the typical Kentucky car owner likely demands more of their vehicle than someone living in southern California would, for instance. Because Kentucky cars and trucks may be pushed harder than those in other states, it is important to thoroughly understand the vehicle’s history before taking it off someone else’s hands.

This is part one of a series of articles discussing items to take into consideration when buying KY used cars. This article focuses on what you will spend the most time directly experiencing as a car owner: the interior.

Ask yourself these six questions when evaluating your next KY used car:

How does it smell?
The smell of a car’s interior can indicate a lot about the car owner and potential problems with the car. A damp or moldy smell might indicate that the car has a leak (in the windshield, weatherstripping or heater core) and was not garage-kept (or at least has been parked outside for a long time).  A smoky smell would indicate that the owner or one of their close friends or relatives smoked in the vehicle repeatedly. Smoking can cause damage to the interior such as yellowing the fabric or clouding the windows.

What does the brake pedal look like?
A warn brake pedal will indicate that the car has been used a lot, especially around a town or city (not on the highway). A warn brake pedal can oftentimes be a better overall indicator of the car’s wear and tear than the odometer can communicate.

What does the dashboard look like?
If the portion of the dashboard that is exposed to light is a different color than the portion of the dashboard that is not exposed to natural light, then this may indicate that the KY used car has spent a majority of its time parked outside, in the sun.

Check for leaks
 Sunroofs can be a great feature – if they don’t leak. Make sure to test the security of the sunroof by spraying water over the used car’s sunroof. If the roof leaks, you’ve just improved your ability to negotiate a reduced price.

What does the driver’s seat and steering wheel look like?
Take a look at the driver’s seat and steering wheel: do they show signs of wear and tear? If they are warn out, this will communicate that the driver has spent a lot of time in the vehicle (or, perhaps more accurately, getting in and out of the vehicle, which would suggest a lot of stop-and-go trips – not good).

What do the floor mats and interior carpet look like?
Many used car sellers will try to fool potential buyers by buying new floor mats; don’t be a victim of this tactic. Make sure to lift up any and all floor mats and inspect the shape that the vehicle’s carpet is in. A used car or truck’s carpet can help you spot a leak, so take heed of these clues.

We hope this list of questions can help you. Feel free to print this list out and refer to it the next time you are looking to buy a used car.

Keep your eyes open for part two of our series on buying KY used cars, which will be on what to look and listen for when it comes to evaluating the engine.

]]> You might think that buying used cars in Kentucky is not much different than buying used cars elsewhere. In many ways you are correct; however, it is important to realize that many Kentuckians drive their cars and trucks differently than those living in other states because of the jobs, weather patterns, and terrain that cars in Kentucky are uniquely exposed to. For instance, cars that spend years in Kentucky are exposed to an ever-changing climate and terrain, which means the typical Kentucky car owner likely demands more of their vehicle than someone living in southern California would, for instance. Because Kentucky cars and trucks may be pushed harder than those in other states, it is important to thoroughly understand the vehicle’s history before taking it off someone else’s hands.

This is part one of a series of articles discussing items to take into consideration when buying KY used cars. This article focuses on what you will spend the most time directly experiencing as a car owner: the interior.

Ask yourself these six questions when evaluating your next KY used car:

How does it smell?
The smell of a car’s interior can indicate a lot about the car owner and potential problems with the car. A damp or moldy smell might indicate that the car has a leak (in the windshield, weatherstripping or heater core) and was not garage-kept (or at least has been parked outside for a long time).  A smoky smell would indicate that the owner or one of their close friends or relatives smoked in the vehicle repeatedly. Smoking can cause damage to the interior such as yellowing the fabric or clouding the windows.

What does the brake pedal look like?
A warn brake pedal will indicate that the car has been used a lot, especially around a town or city (not on the highway). A warn brake pedal can oftentimes be a better overall indicator of the car’s wear and tear than the odometer can communicate.

What does the dashboard look like?
If the portion of the dashboard that is exposed to light is a different color than the portion of the dashboard that is not exposed to natural light, then this may indicate that the KY used car has spent a majority of its time parked outside, in the sun.

Check for leaks
 Sunroofs can be a great feature – if they don’t leak. Make sure to test the security of the sunroof by spraying water over the used car’s sunroof. If the roof leaks, you’ve just improved your ability to negotiate a reduced price.

What does the driver’s seat and steering wheel look like?
Take a look at the driver’s seat and steering wheel: do they show signs of wear and tear? If they are warn out, this will communicate that the driver has spent a lot of time in the vehicle (or, perhaps more accurately, getting in and out of the vehicle, which would suggest a lot of stop-and-go trips – not good).

What do the floor mats and interior carpet look like?
Many used car sellers will try to fool potential buyers by buying new floor mats; don’t be a victim of this tactic. Make sure to lift up any and all floor mats and inspect the shape that the vehicle’s carpet is in. A used car or truck’s carpet can help you spot a leak, so take heed of these clues.

We hope this list of questions can help you. Feel free to print this list out and refer to it the next time you are looking to buy a used car.

Keep your eyes open for part two of our series on buying KY used cars, which will be on what to look and listen for when it comes to evaluating the engine.

]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2012/01/03/buying-ky-used-cars-part-1-examining-the-interior/feed/ 0 Louisville Car Service Reviews http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/29/louisville-car-service-reviews/ http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/29/louisville-car-service-reviews/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:05:37 +0000 admin http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/29/louisville-car-service-reviews/ When it comes to getting your car repaired in Louisville, there are many options: Louisville car dealerships, dedicated Louisville car service shops, and perhaps your buddy Jim (or Bill, or John… you get what I mean). I imagine that many of you have had good and bad experiences getting your car serviced because that has certainly been the case for me.

In the past, I’ve taken chances with car service shops in Louisville that I was unfamiliar with merely because their locations were convenient. I now regret selecting car service shops in that way because of poor outcomes. I realized that it’s worth my time and gas money to go the extra mile (literally and figuratively) to research my options and select the one that has the best reputation for quality car care.

I’ve decided to list some Louisville car service shops that I have either directly done business with, or have had a close friend or relative who has used their services. I hope this list can help you gain some clarity in the otherwise confusing process of finding a Louisville car service shop.

 

The Kia Stores
Specialty: Kias
These guys are top shelf in terms of the manner and speed in which they process and service cars.

The warranty that Kia offers on its cars is the best in the industry (and the Kia products are continually improving as well – just sneak a peak at the new Kia Optima), but it’s not worth all that much if there isn’t a shop that can repair your covered vehicle. What’s nice is that there are four Kia Stores sprinkled throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana, so a lack of convenience is not a factor. They are certainly the go-to spot for Kia service in our area (and for buying Kias, for that matter) but can also service other vehicles as well.

Springdale Automotive
Specialty: none
Overall, I’ve had a pleasant experience with these folks, although I’ve found them to be a bit on the pricey side. They certainly do run professional shops and update you immediately when they have identified the cause of a problem. There have been times when they recommended more than was probably necessary to get fixed, but overall I have a positive opinion of these guys. They also have multiple locations in Louisville and Prospect, so a lack of convenience is also a non-issue (like the Kia Stores).

Panther Motors
Specialty: Imports
I know it might come as a surprise to you that I included Panther Motors on this short list, but I had to. I have had my car serviced at Panther Motors a couple of times and really enjoyed the experience. The shop is run by a man named Ishmael who is very thorough and always keeps you in the loop with the status of your car, your options and the cost you are likely to incur. He specializes in servicing imports.

Hunt & Knight Automotive Technicians
Specialty: Corvettes and classic car restoration
 This shop has been operating since 1976, so they have just about seen and worked on it all. They are able to do mild or complete restorations of cars, trucks or fleet vehicles.  Interestingly, they specialize in servicing Corvettes and classic cars. I recommend these folks based on their historical performance and variety of services.

Here are the locations of the Louisville car service centers I recommended. I sincerely hope I helped you. Feel free to comment below and share your opinions and care care experiences (good or bad) below.

The Kia Store
Website
5325 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40213
1.888.214.1809

Kia Store East
Website
7301 New LaGrange Road Louisville, KY 40222
1.888.208.8387

Kia Store Clarksville
Website
826 E. Lewis and Clark Parkway Clarksville, IN 47129
1.866.545.2429

Kia Store Elizabethtown
Website
1501 N. Dixie Highway Elizabethtown, KY 42701
1.888.933.9544

Springdale Automotive
Website
8005 Brownsboro Road Louisville, KY 40241
502.425.4830

9260 Westport Road Louisville, KY 40242
502.426.9090

13212 West Highway 42 Prospect, KY 40059
502.228.7705

Panther Motor Imports
2347 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, KY 40206
502.895.8889

Hunt & Knight Automotive Technicians

Website
2701 Watterson Trail Louisville, KY 40299
502.267.5160

http://www.kiastore.com/kia-optima.php
]]> When it comes to getting your car repaired in Louisville, there are many options: Louisville car dealerships, dedicated Louisville car service shops, and perhaps your buddy Jim (or Bill, or John… you get what I mean). I imagine that many of you have had good and bad experiences getting your car serviced because that has certainly been the case for me.

In the past, I’ve taken chances with car service shops in Louisville that I was unfamiliar with merely because their locations were convenient. I now regret selecting car service shops in that way because of poor outcomes. I realized that it’s worth my time and gas money to go the extra mile (literally and figuratively) to research my options and select the one that has the best reputation for quality car care.

I’ve decided to list some Louisville car service shops that I have either directly done business with, or have had a close friend or relative who has used their services. I hope this list can help you gain some clarity in the otherwise confusing process of finding a Louisville car service shop.

 

The Kia Stores
Specialty: Kias
These guys are top shelf in terms of the manner and speed in which they process and service cars.

The warranty that Kia offers on its cars is the best in the industry (and the Kia products are continually improving as well – just sneak a peak at the new Kia Optima), but it’s not worth all that much if there isn’t a shop that can repair your covered vehicle. What’s nice is that there are four Kia Stores sprinkled throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana, so a lack of convenience is not a factor. They are certainly the go-to spot for Kia service in our area (and for buying Kias, for that matter) but can also service other vehicles as well.

Springdale Automotive
Specialty: none
Overall, I’ve had a pleasant experience with these folks, although I’ve found them to be a bit on the pricey side. They certainly do run professional shops and update you immediately when they have identified the cause of a problem. There have been times when they recommended more than was probably necessary to get fixed, but overall I have a positive opinion of these guys. They also have multiple locations in Louisville and Prospect, so a lack of convenience is also a non-issue (like the Kia Stores).

Panther Motors
Specialty: Imports
I know it might come as a surprise to you that I included Panther Motors on this short list, but I had to. I have had my car serviced at Panther Motors a couple of times and really enjoyed the experience. The shop is run by a man named Ishmael who is very thorough and always keeps you in the loop with the status of your car, your options and the cost you are likely to incur. He specializes in servicing imports.

Hunt & Knight Automotive Technicians
Specialty: Corvettes and classic car restoration
 This shop has been operating since 1976, so they have just about seen and worked on it all. They are able to do mild or complete restorations of cars, trucks or fleet vehicles.  Interestingly, they specialize in servicing Corvettes and classic cars. I recommend these folks based on their historical performance and variety of services.

Here are the locations of the Louisville car service centers I recommended. I sincerely hope I helped you. Feel free to comment below and share your opinions and care care experiences (good or bad) below.

The Kia Store
Website
5325 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40213
1.888.214.1809

Kia Store East
Website
7301 New LaGrange Road Louisville, KY 40222
1.888.208.8387

Kia Store Clarksville
Website
826 E. Lewis and Clark Parkway Clarksville, IN 47129
1.866.545.2429

Kia Store Elizabethtown
Website
1501 N. Dixie Highway Elizabethtown, KY 42701
1.888.933.9544

Springdale Automotive
Website
8005 Brownsboro Road Louisville, KY 40241
502.425.4830

9260 Westport Road Louisville, KY 40242
502.426.9090

13212 West Highway 42 Prospect, KY 40059
502.228.7705

Panther Motor Imports
2347 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, KY 40206
502.895.8889

Hunt & Knight Automotive Technicians

Website
2701 Watterson Trail Louisville, KY 40299
502.267.5160

http://www.kiastore.com/kia-optima.php
]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/29/louisville-car-service-reviews/feed/ 0 Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf running low on consumer demand – Louisville cars http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/26/chevy-volt-nissan-leaf-running-low-on-consumer-demand-louisville-cars/ http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/26/chevy-volt-nissan-leaf-running-low-on-consumer-demand-louisville-cars/#comments Mon, 26 Dec 2011 21:36:20 +0000 admin http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/26/chevy-volt-nissan-leaf-running-low-on-consumer-demand-louisville-cars/ Chevrolet and Nissan dealerships may not be feeling charged up (in a good way) this holiday season due to a lack of consumer demand for their electric vehicles: the Volt and Leaf, respectively.

Snapshots of the electric cars:

The Chevrolet Volt
Sales of the Chevrolet Volt began in the United States in mid-December of 2010. It has a fuel economy of 93 mpg when only running on electricity (its all-electric range is an EPA estimated 37 miles) and 37 mpg when in gasoline-only mode. Its overall fuel efficiency is an EPA estimated 60 mpg. The base suggested retail prices of the Chevrolet Volt was $43,568. Among its many awards, it was named the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

The Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf was also introduced in December 2010. It was initially introduced in Japan and the United States. The Leaf’s combined fuel economy is an estimated 99 mpg. The retail prices of the Nissan Leaf is $32,780 in the United States. The Nissan Leaf won the 2011 European Car of the Year and the 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

Louisville’s Business First Magazine recently said this about the Volt and Leaf’s difficulty with creating/maintaining consumer demand:

A year ago, electric cars such as General Motor Co.’s Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf were all the rage. But not now.

As USA Today reports, U.S. consumers aren’t flocking to buy the electric cars as expected, and many are losing interest in the high-priced vehicles as a result of falling gas prices. Limited availability of charging stations for the cars also seems to be hurting sales.

The report said General Motors (NYSE: GM) has fallen well short of its goal of selling 10,000 Volts by the end of this year, and Nissan has sold less than 9,000 Leaf electric cars.

Despite the lower-than-expected interest in electrics, the report noted, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) are moving forward with plans to introduce their own electric vehicles next year.

Ford operates two manufacturing plants in Louisville, and Toyota bases its U.S. manufacturing headquarters in Northern Kentucky and operates its largest U.S. manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Ky.

Have you considered purchasing one of these electric cars in Louisville? Why or why not? Do you expect this lack of consumer demand for electric cars to remain flat, increase or decrease?

 

Cars mentioned in this article and associated Louisville car dealerships:

Chevrolet Volt
Montgomery Chevrolet (Big M Chevrolet)
5325 Preston Highway
Louisville, KY 40213

Bachman Chevrolet
9650 Bluegrass Parkway
Louisville, KY 40299

Nissan Leaf
Collins Nissan
4142 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40218

Byerly Nissan
4027 Dixie Highway
Louisville, KY 40216

]]> Chevrolet and Nissan dealerships may not be feeling charged up (in a good way) this holiday season due to a lack of consumer demand for their electric vehicles: the Volt and Leaf, respectively.

Snapshots of the electric cars:

The Chevrolet Volt
Sales of the Chevrolet Volt began in the United States in mid-December of 2010. It has a fuel economy of 93 mpg when only running on electricity (its all-electric range is an EPA estimated 37 miles) and 37 mpg when in gasoline-only mode. Its overall fuel efficiency is an EPA estimated 60 mpg. The base suggested retail prices of the Chevrolet Volt was $43,568. Among its many awards, it was named the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

The Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf was also introduced in December 2010. It was initially introduced in Japan and the United States. The Leaf’s combined fuel economy is an estimated 99 mpg. The retail prices of the Nissan Leaf is $32,780 in the United States. The Nissan Leaf won the 2011 European Car of the Year and the 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

Louisville’s Business First Magazine recently said this about the Volt and Leaf’s difficulty with creating/maintaining consumer demand:

A year ago, electric cars such as General Motor Co.’s Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf were all the rage. But not now.

As USA Today reports, U.S. consumers aren’t flocking to buy the electric cars as expected, and many are losing interest in the high-priced vehicles as a result of falling gas prices. Limited availability of charging stations for the cars also seems to be hurting sales.

The report said General Motors (NYSE: GM) has fallen well short of its goal of selling 10,000 Volts by the end of this year, and Nissan has sold less than 9,000 Leaf electric cars.

Despite the lower-than-expected interest in electrics, the report noted, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) are moving forward with plans to introduce their own electric vehicles next year.

Ford operates two manufacturing plants in Louisville, and Toyota bases its U.S. manufacturing headquarters in Northern Kentucky and operates its largest U.S. manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Ky.

Have you considered purchasing one of these electric cars in Louisville? Why or why not? Do you expect this lack of consumer demand for electric cars to remain flat, increase or decrease?

 

Cars mentioned in this article and associated Louisville car dealerships:

Chevrolet Volt
Montgomery Chevrolet (Big M Chevrolet)
5325 Preston Highway
Louisville, KY 40213

Bachman Chevrolet
9650 Bluegrass Parkway
Louisville, KY 40299

Nissan Leaf
Collins Nissan
4142 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40218

Byerly Nissan
4027 Dixie Highway
Louisville, KY 40216

]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/26/chevy-volt-nissan-leaf-running-low-on-consumer-demand-louisville-cars/feed/ 0 Toyota Camry feels crunch by Sonata, Optima – Louisville Cars http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/21/toyota-camry-feels-crunch-by-sonata-optima-louisville-cars/ http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/21/toyota-camry-feels-crunch-by-sonata-optima-louisville-cars/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:58:00 +0000 admin http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/21/toyota-camry-feels-crunch-by-sonata-optima-louisville-cars/ The Toyota Camry has enjoyed complete domination of the passenger car market. You can find many Camry’s on the blacktop among the many cars in Louisville. It has been the top-selling passenger car in all the land and now its historical reign may be in jeopardy due to the popularity of its competitors. Toyota is also feeling pressure due to a strengthening currency and Thailand’s recent floods.

Toyota’s stock has dropped nearly 19 percent year-to-date. It seems as though stockholders have become aware of the pressures discussed in this article recently published by the Courier-Journal:

Toyota Motor Corp. was already counting on the revamped Camry to spark a U.S. sales rally. The carmaker’s flagship model is now under additional pressure as a stronger currency and Thailand’s floods cut into profits.

The company has reduced its earnings forecast by more than 50 percent for the year ending in March, blaming a slump in production after Thailand’s worst floods in almost 70 years.

The 2012 Camry, which primarily is assembled in Georgetown, Ky., was released in October with a goal of boosting sales hurt by Japan’s earthquake and tsunami and retaining its title as the top-selling U.S. passenger car.

“There’s a lot of pressure on that car,” said Maryann Keller, an auto analyst and president at Maryann Keller & Associates. “It’s been reviewed as being competitive within the midsize sedan segment, but not that much better or worse than competitors. Right now, the perceived design leader is Hyundai’s Sonata, and Kia’s Optima is also doing well.”

While Toyota is set to lose its ranking as the world’s largest automaker this year to General Motors Co., the Toyota City, Japan-based company has said it’s determined to keep Camry the best-selling car in the U.S., a spot held for 13 of the past 14 years.

Rebounding from parts shortages and assembly disruptions may prove easier than overcoming rivals.

“Camry bears the lion’s share of whether they succeed in recovering both market share and profitability” in the U.S., said Larry Dominique, executive vice president of TrueCar.com and former head of Nissan Motor Co.’s North American product planning. “The reality is the best way to gain market share and profitability is new product, and Camry is their biggest.”

‘Pricing power’

The success of Hyundai Motor Co.’s Sonata and Kia Motors Corp.’s Optima as well as Ford Motor Co.’s Fusion, means Toyota no longer has the ability to price Camry above segment competitors, Keller said.

“The problem isn’t so much how many units of Camry they sell, but the margin of each vehicle,” she said. “They don’t have the kind of pricing power they once enjoyed.”

U.S. drivers bought 23,440 Camrys in November, 15,668 Sonatas and 9,533 Optimas.

While Camry remains the best-selling car in 2011, even after production delays helped cut sales 7.3 percent so far this year, Sonata volume is up 15 percent and Optima deliveries more than tripled from last year.

Toyota doesn’t disclose its profit for the Camry. Neither Keller nor Efraim Levy, a New York-based equity analyst for S&P Capital IQ, who rates Toyota’s American depositary receipts “hold,” had estimates for how much Toyota earns from the car.

Camry’s importance

“The success of the Camry is very important to Toyota,” Levy said. “It’s similar to Ford’s F-150 pickup, since in each case it’s the single biggest source of sales volume.”

Toyota has set a goal of selling at least 360,000 Camrys in the U.S. in 2012. The company has sold 275,004 in the first 11 months of 2011, leading Nissan’s Altima’s 243,005, which has surpassed Honda Motor Co.’s Accord, at 217,958, for the No. 2 selling car.

The best-selling midsize sedans of U.S. automakers are Ford’s Fusion at 226,445 and GM’s Chevrolet Chevrolet Malibu at 191,774. GM’s top-selling car is the Cruze compact at 215,057.

“We have been increasing the volume of shipments to our dealers since we began production in September,” Steve Curtis, a spokesman for the company’s U.S. sales unit. “We’ll get as many to customers as possible.”

Camrys for sale in North America are built at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, and under contract at affiliate Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.’s Subaru plant in Lafayette, Ind.

After a quake- and tsunami-related production slowdown in North America that lasted more than five months, Toyota has said it’s now working to build up inventory of Camry and other models as quickly as possible.

‘Full production’

“We are running full production on Camry lines as we continue to replenish inventory and meet market demand,” said Mike Goss, a spokesman for the company’s manufacturing unit, without elaborating.

Toyota’s best year for Camry was 473,108 sold in 2007. Between its Kentucky plant and the Subaru factory, the company has said it can produce about 500,000 of the cars.

The automaker estimates that more than 6.8 million Camry models are on the road in the U.S., the largest owner base of any midsize sedan.

Toyota touts the latest version of Camry as more fuel-efficient than the previous version, with a better ride and handling. The car has added safety features and last week received a top score in federal crash tests.

The new Camry’s exterior has squared off corners compared with the earlier version’s rounder edges. The redesigned model has a roomier rear seat and bigger trunk.

‘Extra scrutiny’

It’s essential for the new car to be seen by consumers as safe and high-quality, following the company’s recalls of Camry and other models for flaws linked to unintended acceleration, said Eric Noble, president of the Car Lab, an industry consultant in Orange, Calif.

“This model will receive extra scrutiny,” Noble said. “To much of America, Toyota is the Camry. What Toyota needs is at least an acceptable launch out of this car as a signal to the North American public that hey, we’re all right again.’”

Since sales began in October, most buyers of the new model are previous owners of Camrys and other Toyota models, Jim Lentz, president of Toyota’s U.S. sales unit, said in an interview last month.

Sales of Camry should rebound to about 30,000 units a month “sometime in February or March,” Lentz said. The car typically sold at that level or higher before the recalls and this year’s production slowdown.

Improvements

Camry sales were shrinking prior to this year’s natural disasters as Hyundai, Kia, Ford and GM raised competition with features matching or topping those of Camry. The latest Camry has an enlarged cabin and moves ahead of Accord, Sonata, Optima, Altima, Fusion and the Chevy Malibu with the highest fuel-economy rating among four-cylinder midsize sedans, at 25 miles per gallon of gas in city driving, 35 mpg highway.

The 2012 Camry Hybrid, whose 41 mpg average tops Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid at 37 mpg and the Fusion Hybrid at 39, is the highest among midsize sedans, according to Environmental Protection Agency data.

The price of a base model 4-cylinder engine 2012 Camry LE with an automatic transmission was trimmed about $200 to $22,500. That compares with $23,095 for a Sonata GLS model and $21,750 for an Optima LX.

Component shortages caused by Thailand’s floods disrupted production for Japanese automakers. Toyota said the floods will cut earnings by $1.55 billion.
I wonder if Louisvillians have noticed a shift in the number of new Toyotas Camrys being purchased in comparison to the number of Kia Optimas, Hyundai Sonatas and the Ford Fusions being purchased? The Camry is a solidly built car, but I would imagine that the current economic climate will push Louisville car buyers to look more seriously at the Optima and Sonata (especially considering that their designs have recently been dramatically improved).

The cars mentioned in this article and respective Louisville car dealers

The Kia Optima
Louisville Kia car dealers:
The Kia Store
5325 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40213
Website: http://www.kiastore.com
Telephone: 888-214-1809

Kia Store East
7301 New LaGrange Rd Louisville, KY 40222
Website: http://www.kiastoreeast.com
Telephone: 888-208-8387

Kia Store Clarksville
826 E Lewis & Clark Pkwy Clarksville, IN, 47129
Website: http://www.kiastoreclarksville.com
Telephone: 866-545-2429

Kia Store Etown
1501 N. Dixie Hwy Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Website: http://www.kiastoreetown.com
Telephone: 888-933-9544

The Toyota Camry
Louisville Toyota dealers
Toyota of Louisville
6514 Dixie Highway Louisville, KY 40258
Website: http://www.toyotaoflouisville.com/
Telephone: 888-334-8899 (sales)

Oxmoor Toyota
8003 Shelbyville Road Louisville, KY 40222
Website: http://www.oxmoortoyota.com
Telephone: 888-471-8170

The Hyundai Sonata
Louisville Hyundai dealers
Hyundai of Louisville
6633 Dixie Highway Louisville, KY 40258
Website: http://www.hyundaioflouisville.com
Telephone: 888-820-9572

Bales Hyundai
630 Broadway
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Website: http://www.baleshyundai.com/
Telephone: (866) 761-9954

The Ford Fusion
Louisville Hyundai dealers
Town and Country Ford
6015 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40219
Website: http://www.fordlouisville.com/
Telephone: 502-961-8421

 


]]> The Toyota Camry has enjoyed complete domination of the passenger car market. You can find many Camry’s on the blacktop among the many cars in Louisville. It has been the top-selling passenger car in all the land and now its historical reign may be in jeopardy due to the popularity of its competitors. Toyota is also feeling pressure due to a strengthening currency and Thailand’s recent floods.

Toyota’s stock has dropped nearly 19 percent year-to-date. It seems as though stockholders have become aware of the pressures discussed in this article recently published by the Courier-Journal:

Toyota Motor Corp. was already counting on the revamped Camry to spark a U.S. sales rally. The carmaker’s flagship model is now under additional pressure as a stronger currency and Thailand’s floods cut into profits.

The company has reduced its earnings forecast by more than 50 percent for the year ending in March, blaming a slump in production after Thailand’s worst floods in almost 70 years.

The 2012 Camry, which primarily is assembled in Georgetown, Ky., was released in October with a goal of boosting sales hurt by Japan’s earthquake and tsunami and retaining its title as the top-selling U.S. passenger car.

“There’s a lot of pressure on that car,” said Maryann Keller, an auto analyst and president at Maryann Keller & Associates. “It’s been reviewed as being competitive within the midsize sedan segment, but not that much better or worse than competitors. Right now, the perceived design leader is Hyundai’s Sonata, and Kia’s Optima is also doing well.”

While Toyota is set to lose its ranking as the world’s largest automaker this year to General Motors Co., the Toyota City, Japan-based company has said it’s determined to keep Camry the best-selling car in the U.S., a spot held for 13 of the past 14 years.

Rebounding from parts shortages and assembly disruptions may prove easier than overcoming rivals.

“Camry bears the lion’s share of whether they succeed in recovering both market share and profitability” in the U.S., said Larry Dominique, executive vice president of TrueCar.com and former head of Nissan Motor Co.’s North American product planning. “The reality is the best way to gain market share and profitability is new product, and Camry is their biggest.”

‘Pricing power’

The success of Hyundai Motor Co.’s Sonata and Kia Motors Corp.’s Optima as well as Ford Motor Co.’s Fusion, means Toyota no longer has the ability to price Camry above segment competitors, Keller said.

“The problem isn’t so much how many units of Camry they sell, but the margin of each vehicle,” she said. “They don’t have the kind of pricing power they once enjoyed.”

U.S. drivers bought 23,440 Camrys in November, 15,668 Sonatas and 9,533 Optimas.

While Camry remains the best-selling car in 2011, even after production delays helped cut sales 7.3 percent so far this year, Sonata volume is up 15 percent and Optima deliveries more than tripled from last year.

Toyota doesn’t disclose its profit for the Camry. Neither Keller nor Efraim Levy, a New York-based equity analyst for S&P Capital IQ, who rates Toyota’s American depositary receipts “hold,” had estimates for how much Toyota earns from the car.

Camry’s importance

“The success of the Camry is very important to Toyota,” Levy said. “It’s similar to Ford’s F-150 pickup, since in each case it’s the single biggest source of sales volume.”

Toyota has set a goal of selling at least 360,000 Camrys in the U.S. in 2012. The company has sold 275,004 in the first 11 months of 2011, leading Nissan’s Altima’s 243,005, which has surpassed Honda Motor Co.’s Accord, at 217,958, for the No. 2 selling car.

The best-selling midsize sedans of U.S. automakers are Ford’s Fusion at 226,445 and GM’s Chevrolet Chevrolet Malibu at 191,774. GM’s top-selling car is the Cruze compact at 215,057.

“We have been increasing the volume of shipments to our dealers since we began production in September,” Steve Curtis, a spokesman for the company’s U.S. sales unit. “We’ll get as many to customers as possible.”

Camrys for sale in North America are built at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, and under contract at affiliate Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.’s Subaru plant in Lafayette, Ind.

After a quake- and tsunami-related production slowdown in North America that lasted more than five months, Toyota has said it’s now working to build up inventory of Camry and other models as quickly as possible.

‘Full production’

“We are running full production on Camry lines as we continue to replenish inventory and meet market demand,” said Mike Goss, a spokesman for the company’s manufacturing unit, without elaborating.

Toyota’s best year for Camry was 473,108 sold in 2007. Between its Kentucky plant and the Subaru factory, the company has said it can produce about 500,000 of the cars.

The automaker estimates that more than 6.8 million Camry models are on the road in the U.S., the largest owner base of any midsize sedan.

Toyota touts the latest version of Camry as more fuel-efficient than the previous version, with a better ride and handling. The car has added safety features and last week received a top score in federal crash tests.

The new Camry’s exterior has squared off corners compared with the earlier version’s rounder edges. The redesigned model has a roomier rear seat and bigger trunk.

‘Extra scrutiny’

It’s essential for the new car to be seen by consumers as safe and high-quality, following the company’s recalls of Camry and other models for flaws linked to unintended acceleration, said Eric Noble, president of the Car Lab, an industry consultant in Orange, Calif.

“This model will receive extra scrutiny,” Noble said. “To much of America, Toyota is the Camry. What Toyota needs is at least an acceptable launch out of this car as a signal to the North American public that hey, we’re all right again.’”

Since sales began in October, most buyers of the new model are previous owners of Camrys and other Toyota models, Jim Lentz, president of Toyota’s U.S. sales unit, said in an interview last month.

Sales of Camry should rebound to about 30,000 units a month “sometime in February or March,” Lentz said. The car typically sold at that level or higher before the recalls and this year’s production slowdown.

Improvements

Camry sales were shrinking prior to this year’s natural disasters as Hyundai, Kia, Ford and GM raised competition with features matching or topping those of Camry. The latest Camry has an enlarged cabin and moves ahead of Accord, Sonata, Optima, Altima, Fusion and the Chevy Malibu with the highest fuel-economy rating among four-cylinder midsize sedans, at 25 miles per gallon of gas in city driving, 35 mpg highway.

The 2012 Camry Hybrid, whose 41 mpg average tops Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid at 37 mpg and the Fusion Hybrid at 39, is the highest among midsize sedans, according to Environmental Protection Agency data.

The price of a base model 4-cylinder engine 2012 Camry LE with an automatic transmission was trimmed about $200 to $22,500. That compares with $23,095 for a Sonata GLS model and $21,750 for an Optima LX.

Component shortages caused by Thailand’s floods disrupted production for Japanese automakers. Toyota said the floods will cut earnings by $1.55 billion.
I wonder if Louisvillians have noticed a shift in the number of new Toyotas Camrys being purchased in comparison to the number of Kia Optimas, Hyundai Sonatas and the Ford Fusions being purchased? The Camry is a solidly built car, but I would imagine that the current economic climate will push Louisville car buyers to look more seriously at the Optima and Sonata (especially considering that their designs have recently been dramatically improved).

The cars mentioned in this article and respective Louisville car dealers

The Kia Optima
Louisville Kia car dealers:
The Kia Store
5325 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40213
Website: http://www.kiastore.com
Telephone: 888-214-1809

Kia Store East
7301 New LaGrange Rd Louisville, KY 40222
Website: http://www.kiastoreeast.com
Telephone: 888-208-8387

Kia Store Clarksville
826 E Lewis & Clark Pkwy Clarksville, IN, 47129
Website: http://www.kiastoreclarksville.com
Telephone: 866-545-2429

Kia Store Etown
1501 N. Dixie Hwy Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Website: http://www.kiastoreetown.com
Telephone: 888-933-9544

The Toyota Camry
Louisville Toyota dealers
Toyota of Louisville
6514 Dixie Highway Louisville, KY 40258
Website: http://www.toyotaoflouisville.com/
Telephone: 888-334-8899 (sales)

Oxmoor Toyota
8003 Shelbyville Road Louisville, KY 40222
Website: http://www.oxmoortoyota.com
Telephone: 888-471-8170

The Hyundai Sonata
Louisville Hyundai dealers
Hyundai of Louisville
6633 Dixie Highway Louisville, KY 40258
Website: http://www.hyundaioflouisville.com
Telephone: 888-820-9572

Bales Hyundai
630 Broadway
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Website: http://www.baleshyundai.com/
Telephone: (866) 761-9954

The Ford Fusion
Louisville Hyundai dealers
Town and Country Ford
6015 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40219
Website: http://www.fordlouisville.com/
Telephone: 502-961-8421

 


]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/21/toyota-camry-feels-crunch-by-sonata-optima-louisville-cars/feed/ 0 2011 Kia Optima | Louisville Cars http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/20/2011-kia-optima-louisville-cars/ http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/20/2011-kia-optima-louisville-cars/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:16:32 +0000 admin http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/20/2011-kia-optima-louisville-cars/ Older models of the Kia Optima performed well and offered Louisville car buyers an affordable and safe mid-size sedan option with a great warranty; however, some said they lacked in terms of aesthetic appeal or luxury. The 2011 Kia Optima was completely redesigned to silence those critics.

If you are looking for a new car in Louisville, the 2011 Kia Optima now offers buyers a hard to beat mixture of great looks, safety, performance, and a great warranty at an affordable price for buyers.

Standard 2011 Kia Optima Features

  • Bluetooth phone connectivity
  • Driving wheel audio control panel
  • Cooled glove box
  • iPod/USB audio connectivity
  • 16-inch steel wheels (17- and 18-inch steel wheels are available)
  • Six airbags
  • Electronic stability control
  • Four-wheel antilock disc brakes
  • Stability and traction control
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Side airbags
  • Hill start assist

Optional 2011 Kia Optima Features

  • Infinity audio system
  • Rear camera
  • Heated and cooled seats
  • Touch-screen navigation
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Turbo-charged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine

2011 Kia Optima Safety Rating

The 2011 Kia Optima received a five-star rating (best available) for overall safety performance, including a five stars rating for frontal and side-impact crash tests.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2011 Kia Optima with a “Good” rating (best available) for frontal-offset and side-impact crash test performances.

In Edmunds brake testing, the Optima EX stopped in 121 feet after going at 60 miles per hour — a good performance.

2011 Kia Optima Professional Reviews

Here are what some of the world’s most well-respected car review sites are saying about the 2011 Kia Optima:

“…Thanks to an extreme makeover, the 2011 Kia Optima has emerged from its anonymous cocoon to be a striking butterfly of a family sedan. With sleek styling, substantial power and plenty of value, the latest Optima is an instant standout among its many rivals.”
Edmunds.com (Read the full review here)

“Today, the redesigned 2011 Kia Optima boasts sharp styling, competent driving dynamics and a cabin that leapfrogs other family sedans — and could stay in the lead for years to come.”

“Extravagant amenities, smart styling and, in all likelihood, good value stand to lift the car… The Optima’s slice [of the family mid-size sedan market] is poised to get bigger, and deservedly so.”
Cars.com (read the full review here)

“The 2011 Kia Optima is as all-new as it gets, offering sharper interior and exterior styling, new engine options (including a turbocharged variant) and new tech-savvy features”

“The 2011 Kia Optima backs up its standout styling with driving dynamics and an equipment list that outclass most of its competitors’. And price is still a strong suit.”

“Feature for feature, the Optima offers more for the money than competitors like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion.”
KBB.com (read the full review here)

The 2011 Kia Optima can be found at a number of car dealerships in and around Louisville, KY. You can schedule a test drive by visiting their sites (below):

]]> Older models of the Kia Optima performed well and offered Louisville car buyers an affordable and safe mid-size sedan option with a great warranty; however, some said they lacked in terms of aesthetic appeal or luxury. The 2011 Kia Optima was completely redesigned to silence those critics.

If you are looking for a new car in Louisville, the 2011 Kia Optima now offers buyers a hard to beat mixture of great looks, safety, performance, and a great warranty at an affordable price for buyers.

Standard 2011 Kia Optima Features

  • Bluetooth phone connectivity
  • Driving wheel audio control panel
  • Cooled glove box
  • iPod/USB audio connectivity
  • 16-inch steel wheels (17- and 18-inch steel wheels are available)
  • Six airbags
  • Electronic stability control
  • Four-wheel antilock disc brakes
  • Stability and traction control
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Side airbags
  • Hill start assist

Optional 2011 Kia Optima Features

  • Infinity audio system
  • Rear camera
  • Heated and cooled seats
  • Touch-screen navigation
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Turbo-charged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine

2011 Kia Optima Safety Rating

The 2011 Kia Optima received a five-star rating (best available) for overall safety performance, including a five stars rating for frontal and side-impact crash tests.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2011 Kia Optima with a “Good” rating (best available) for frontal-offset and side-impact crash test performances.

In Edmunds brake testing, the Optima EX stopped in 121 feet after going at 60 miles per hour — a good performance.

2011 Kia Optima Professional Reviews

Here are what some of the world’s most well-respected car review sites are saying about the 2011 Kia Optima:

“…Thanks to an extreme makeover, the 2011 Kia Optima has emerged from its anonymous cocoon to be a striking butterfly of a family sedan. With sleek styling, substantial power and plenty of value, the latest Optima is an instant standout among its many rivals.”
Edmunds.com (Read the full review here)

“Today, the redesigned 2011 Kia Optima boasts sharp styling, competent driving dynamics and a cabin that leapfrogs other family sedans — and could stay in the lead for years to come.”

“Extravagant amenities, smart styling and, in all likelihood, good value stand to lift the car… The Optima’s slice [of the family mid-size sedan market] is poised to get bigger, and deservedly so.”
Cars.com (read the full review here)

“The 2011 Kia Optima is as all-new as it gets, offering sharper interior and exterior styling, new engine options (including a turbocharged variant) and new tech-savvy features”

“The 2011 Kia Optima backs up its standout styling with driving dynamics and an equipment list that outclass most of its competitors’. And price is still a strong suit.”

“Feature for feature, the Optima offers more for the money than competitors like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion.”
KBB.com (read the full review here)

The 2011 Kia Optima can be found at a number of car dealerships in and around Louisville, KY. You can schedule a test drive by visiting their sites (below):

]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/20/2011-kia-optima-louisville-cars/feed/ 0 Kentucky Winter Weather Driving Tips http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/16/kentucky-winter-weather-driving-tips/ http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/16/kentucky-winter-weather-driving-tips/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:44:12 +0000 admin http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/16/kentucky-winter-weather-driving-tips/ Cold air and precipitation don’t mix well when it comes to creating ideal driving conditions. In fact, driving on slick roads can be downright miserable – especially if you are unfamiliar with how to handle your car under these conditions. Driving in Kentucky, with its winding country roads can pose an especially unique challenge to novice drivers (those driving cars in Louisville are not immune to these challenging scenarios).

The best way to protect yourself against becoming a victim of hazardous road conditions is to avoid driving altogether. But heck, that just isn’t always feasible with so many things to do this time of year. So, without further adieu, here are ten winter weather driving tips courtesy of edmunds.com for those of your driving your cars in Louisville, KY (or anywhere, for that matter). Drive safe, Kentucky!

  1. Get a grip. To have adequate snow traction, a tire requires at least 6/32-inch deep tread, according to The Tire Rack. (New passenger-car tires usually have 10/32-inch of tread.) Ultrahigh-performance “summer” tires have little or no grip in snow. Even “all-season” tires don’t necessarily have great snow traction: Some do, some don’t. If you live where the roads are regularly covered with snow, use snow tires (sometimes called “winter tires” by tiremakers). They have a “snowflake on the mountain” symbol on the sidewall, meaning they meet a tire-industry standard for snow traction.
  2. Make sure you can see. Replace windshield wiper blades. Clean the inside of your windows thoroughly. Apply a water-shedding material (such as Rain-X) to the outside of all windows, including the mirrors. Make sure your windshield washer system works and is full of an anti-icing fluid. Drain older fluid by running the washers until new fluid appears: Switching fluid colors makes this easy.
  3. Run the air-conditioner. In order to remove condensation and frost from the interior of windows, engage your air-conditioner and select the fresh air option: It’s fine to set the temperature on “hot.” Many cars automatically do this when you choose the defrost setting.
  4. Check your lights. Use your headlights so that others will see you and, we hope, not pull out in front of you. Make sure your headlights and taillights are clear of snow. If you have an older car with sand-pitted headlights, get a new set of lenses. To prevent future pitting, cover the new lens with a clear tape like that used to protect the leading edge of helicopter rotor blades and racecar wings. It’s available from auto-racing supply sites.
  5. Give yourself a brake. Learn how to get maximum efficiency from your brakes before an emergency. It’s easy to properly use antilock brakes: Stomp, stay and steer. Stomp on the pedal as if you were trying to snap it off. Stay hard on the pedal. Steer around the obstacle. (A warning: A little bit of steering goes a very long way in an emergency. See Tip 8.) If you drive on icy roads or roads that are covered with snow, modify your ABS technique: After you “Stomp” and the ABS begins cycling — you will feel pulses in the pedal or hear the system working — ease up slightly on the pedal until the pulsing happens only once a second.For vehicles without ABS, you’ll have to rely on the old-fashioned system: You. For non-ABS on a mixed-surface road, push the brake pedal hard until the wheels stop rolling, then immediately release the brake enough to allow the wheels to begin turning again. Repeat this sequence rapidly. This is not the same as “pumping the brake.” Your goal is to have the tires producing maximum grip regardless of whether the surface is snow, ice or damp pavement. Use the tips in “How To Survive the Top 10 Driving Emergencies” to practice before the emergency.
  6. Watch carefully for “black ice.” If the road looks slick, it probably is. This is especially true with one of winter’s worst hazards: “black ice.” Also called “glare ice,” this is nearly transparent ice that often looks like a harmless puddle or is overlooked entirely. Test the traction with a smooth brake application or slight turn of the wheel.
  7. Remember the tough spots. Race drivers must memorize the nuances of every track, so they can alter their path for changing track conditions. You must remember where icy roads tend to occur. Bridges and intersections are common places. Also: wherever water runs across the road. I know people who lost control on ice caused by homeowners draining above-ground pools and by an automatic lawn sprinkler that sprayed water onto a street in freezing temperatures.
  8. Too much steering is bad. If a slick section in a turn causes your front tires to lose grip, the common — but incorrect — reaction is to continue turning the steering wheel. That’s like writing checks on an overdrawn account: It won’t improve the situation and may make things worse. If the icy conditions end and the front tires regain grip, your car will dart whichever way the wheels are pointed. That may be into oncoming traffic or a telephone pole. Something very similar happens if you steer too much while braking with ABS. Sadly, there are situations where nothing will prevent a crash, but turning the steering too much never helps.
  9. Avoid rear-tire slides. First, choose a car with electronic stability control. Fortunately, ESC will be mandatory on all 2012 models. Next, make sure your rear tires have at least as much tread as your front tires. Finally, if you buy winter tires, get four.
  10. Technology offers no miracles. All-wheel drive and electronic stability control can get you into trouble by offering a false sense of security. AWD can only help a vehicle accelerate or keep moving: It can’t help you go around a snow-covered turn, much less stop at an icy intersection. ESC can prevent a spinout, but it can’t clear ice from the roads or give your tires more traction. Don’t let these lull you into overestimating the available traction.

Driving in Kentucky can be fun. Hopefully these tips can ensure your safe travels. We wish you safe driving this holiday season!

 

The Louisville Cars Team

 

]]> Cold air and precipitation don’t mix well when it comes to creating ideal driving conditions. In fact, driving on slick roads can be downright miserable – especially if you are unfamiliar with how to handle your car under these conditions. Driving in Kentucky, with its winding country roads can pose an especially unique challenge to novice drivers (those driving cars in Louisville are not immune to these challenging scenarios).

The best way to protect yourself against becoming a victim of hazardous road conditions is to avoid driving altogether. But heck, that just isn’t always feasible with so many things to do this time of year. So, without further adieu, here are ten winter weather driving tips courtesy of edmunds.com for those of your driving your cars in Louisville, KY (or anywhere, for that matter). Drive safe, Kentucky!

  1. Get a grip. To have adequate snow traction, a tire requires at least 6/32-inch deep tread, according to The Tire Rack. (New passenger-car tires usually have 10/32-inch of tread.) Ultrahigh-performance “summer” tires have little or no grip in snow. Even “all-season” tires don’t necessarily have great snow traction: Some do, some don’t. If you live where the roads are regularly covered with snow, use snow tires (sometimes called “winter tires” by tiremakers). They have a “snowflake on the mountain” symbol on the sidewall, meaning they meet a tire-industry standard for snow traction.
  2. Make sure you can see. Replace windshield wiper blades. Clean the inside of your windows thoroughly. Apply a water-shedding material (such as Rain-X) to the outside of all windows, including the mirrors. Make sure your windshield washer system works and is full of an anti-icing fluid. Drain older fluid by running the washers until new fluid appears: Switching fluid colors makes this easy.
  3. Run the air-conditioner. In order to remove condensation and frost from the interior of windows, engage your air-conditioner and select the fresh air option: It’s fine to set the temperature on “hot.” Many cars automatically do this when you choose the defrost setting.
  4. Check your lights. Use your headlights so that others will see you and, we hope, not pull out in front of you. Make sure your headlights and taillights are clear of snow. If you have an older car with sand-pitted headlights, get a new set of lenses. To prevent future pitting, cover the new lens with a clear tape like that used to protect the leading edge of helicopter rotor blades and racecar wings. It’s available from auto-racing supply sites.
  5. Give yourself a brake. Learn how to get maximum efficiency from your brakes before an emergency. It’s easy to properly use antilock brakes: Stomp, stay and steer. Stomp on the pedal as if you were trying to snap it off. Stay hard on the pedal. Steer around the obstacle. (A warning: A little bit of steering goes a very long way in an emergency. See Tip 8.) If you drive on icy roads or roads that are covered with snow, modify your ABS technique: After you “Stomp” and the ABS begins cycling — you will feel pulses in the pedal or hear the system working — ease up slightly on the pedal until the pulsing happens only once a second.For vehicles without ABS, you’ll have to rely on the old-fashioned system: You. For non-ABS on a mixed-surface road, push the brake pedal hard until the wheels stop rolling, then immediately release the brake enough to allow the wheels to begin turning again. Repeat this sequence rapidly. This is not the same as “pumping the brake.” Your goal is to have the tires producing maximum grip regardless of whether the surface is snow, ice or damp pavement. Use the tips in “How To Survive the Top 10 Driving Emergencies” to practice before the emergency.
  6. Watch carefully for “black ice.” If the road looks slick, it probably is. This is especially true with one of winter’s worst hazards: “black ice.” Also called “glare ice,” this is nearly transparent ice that often looks like a harmless puddle or is overlooked entirely. Test the traction with a smooth brake application or slight turn of the wheel.
  7. Remember the tough spots. Race drivers must memorize the nuances of every track, so they can alter their path for changing track conditions. You must remember where icy roads tend to occur. Bridges and intersections are common places. Also: wherever water runs across the road. I know people who lost control on ice caused by homeowners draining above-ground pools and by an automatic lawn sprinkler that sprayed water onto a street in freezing temperatures.
  8. Too much steering is bad. If a slick section in a turn causes your front tires to lose grip, the common — but incorrect — reaction is to continue turning the steering wheel. That’s like writing checks on an overdrawn account: It won’t improve the situation and may make things worse. If the icy conditions end and the front tires regain grip, your car will dart whichever way the wheels are pointed. That may be into oncoming traffic or a telephone pole. Something very similar happens if you steer too much while braking with ABS. Sadly, there are situations where nothing will prevent a crash, but turning the steering too much never helps.
  9. Avoid rear-tire slides. First, choose a car with electronic stability control. Fortunately, ESC will be mandatory on all 2012 models. Next, make sure your rear tires have at least as much tread as your front tires. Finally, if you buy winter tires, get four.
  10. Technology offers no miracles. All-wheel drive and electronic stability control can get you into trouble by offering a false sense of security. AWD can only help a vehicle accelerate or keep moving: It can’t help you go around a snow-covered turn, much less stop at an icy intersection. ESC can prevent a spinout, but it can’t clear ice from the roads or give your tires more traction. Don’t let these lull you into overestimating the available traction.

Driving in Kentucky can be fun. Hopefully these tips can ensure your safe travels. We wish you safe driving this holiday season!

 

The Louisville Cars Team

 

]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/12/16/kentucky-winter-weather-driving-tips/feed/ 0 Used Cars Louisville Ky Dealer: The Kia Store http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/05/20/used-cars-louisville-ky-dealer-the-kia-store/ http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/05/20/used-cars-louisville-ky-dealer-the-kia-store/#comments Fri, 20 May 2011 21:41:52 +0000 admin http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/05/20/used-cars-louisville-ky-dealer-the-kia-store/ Kia Store Louisville Review

Author: louisville-cars
http://www.louisville-cars.com

Louisville car dealership reviews. 

The Kia Store Louisville

5325 Preston Hwy, Louisville, KY 40213

(502) 968-6111‎ – (502) 962-3232‎ (Fax)

http://www.kiastore.com

Great Louisville Used Car Dealership

by Citysearch

The entire car buying experience is never fun, but buying from the Kia Store was a breath of fresh air. Its no secret that used cars lots are not for the weak minded. Nobody in their right mind would send their grandmother to a used car lot alone with her checkbook to buy a car. That is just the reputations used car lots have. The Kia Store is making a very strong push to break through that stereotype. Besides giving me the car for free, they could not have done much more for me. Throw away everything you know about buying a used car, the heckling, the buy now attitude, the hostage like negotiations with the dreaded sales managers in their Ivory tower on the other side of the room. Everything! When I was at the Kia Store it was more like going to any retail store, and just getting help from an employee. I wouldn’t be surprised if the salesmen didn’t even get commission. My salesmen’s only care seemed to be if I got good service or not.

Good Louisville used cars lots are not easy to come across. I consider myself very lucky to have found such an easy going trustworthy dealership. I will be recommending it to all my friends.

A review of Kia Store from DealerRater.com

My Review of The Kia Store:

I recently dealt with The Kia Store and had a great experience. Everyone who worked with me was very professional and friendly. I felt like they were very honest and genuinely cared about delivering good service. I did use the website to search their inventory first before I even went to the dealership, so I had a few cars in mind when I got there to check it out in person. I loved the website and the convenience of shopping their inventory online at their Louisville used car page and I highly recommend this a place to start for anyone looking to buy a used car. I found the prices to be good, maybe not the very best rock bottom prices, but I am willing to pay a little more for better customer service and the feeling that I am not being ripped off. With some of the super low prices you see you kind of have to wonder what’s going on with that car or that dealership so I am happy to avoid to “iffy” dealerships and their questionable low prices. Overall I highly recommend The Kia Store for used car sales.
Louisville Cars

7301B New LaGrange Rd

Louisville, KY 40222

(502) 814-0487

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1589543_31.html

 

 

The Kia Store

Used Cars Louisville

]]> Kia Store Louisville Review

Author: louisville-cars
http://www.louisville-cars.com

Louisville car dealership reviews. 

The Kia Store Louisville

5325 Preston Hwy, Louisville, KY 40213

(502) 968-6111‎ – (502) 962-3232‎ (Fax)

http://www.kiastore.com

Great Louisville Used Car Dealership

by Citysearch

The entire car buying experience is never fun, but buying from the Kia Store was a breath of fresh air. Its no secret that used cars lots are not for the weak minded. Nobody in their right mind would send their grandmother to a used car lot alone with her checkbook to buy a car. That is just the reputations used car lots have. The Kia Store is making a very strong push to break through that stereotype. Besides giving me the car for free, they could not have done much more for me. Throw away everything you know about buying a used car, the heckling, the buy now attitude, the hostage like negotiations with the dreaded sales managers in their Ivory tower on the other side of the room. Everything! When I was at the Kia Store it was more like going to any retail store, and just getting help from an employee. I wouldn’t be surprised if the salesmen didn’t even get commission. My salesmen’s only care seemed to be if I got good service or not.

Good Louisville used cars lots are not easy to come across. I consider myself very lucky to have found such an easy going trustworthy dealership. I will be recommending it to all my friends.

A review of Kia Store from DealerRater.com

My Review of The Kia Store:

I recently dealt with The Kia Store and had a great experience. Everyone who worked with me was very professional and friendly. I felt like they were very honest and genuinely cared about delivering good service. I did use the website to search their inventory first before I even went to the dealership, so I had a few cars in mind when I got there to check it out in person. I loved the website and the convenience of shopping their inventory online at their Louisville used car page and I highly recommend this a place to start for anyone looking to buy a used car. I found the prices to be good, maybe not the very best rock bottom prices, but I am willing to pay a little more for better customer service and the feeling that I am not being ripped off. With some of the super low prices you see you kind of have to wonder what’s going on with that car or that dealership so I am happy to avoid to “iffy” dealerships and their questionable low prices. Overall I highly recommend The Kia Store for used car sales.
Louisville Cars

7301B New LaGrange Rd

Louisville, KY 40222

(502) 814-0487

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1589543_31.html

 

 

The Kia Store

Used Cars Louisville

]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/05/20/used-cars-louisville-ky-dealer-the-kia-store/feed/ 0 A Louisville Used Car Buying Experience http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/05/19/9/ http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/05/19/9/#comments Thu, 19 May 2011 18:59:10 +0000 admin http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/05/19/9/ A Louisville Used Cars Buying Experience

I have recently purchased a new car in Louisville, Kentucky. I did a fair amount of research before buying the car, and would like to share a bit about my car buying experience. I visited many websites sites, and read many reviews on a lot of local car dealerships. Most dealerships had mixed reviews, but a couple dealers really stood out. I was very careful this time around because I had a bad experience the last time I bought a used car in Louisville. It took my about as long to buy a car as it did not pick out a stick of deordorant from the grocery story. I stook a look at a couple and then just went with one. Not the best idea when you are spending $10,000.

The last time I bought a car I was not careful at all, I did not do any background research on vehicles or even consider the reputation of the car dealership I was about to purchase from. I bought a used Honda Accord last year from the a Louisville Honda Dealer, and they gave me a raw deal. It was partially my fault because I never asked for a car fax, or did much background research on the vehicle. It had been wrecked and I was never made aware of it by my salesmen ( who probably did not know in all likelihood) or anyone else at the dealership. Â

Once I bought Honda, I knew I was stuck with it and I decided that I would stick it out and drive it for a year. Once that year was up I would go to the Louisville used cars dealer and upgrade to a something else.

I went to the Kia Store, and took and saw the Kia Soul for the first time.  I took it for a test drive and fell in love with it.  I was worried that the finances would not work out right, due to credit reasons, but they found a lender that was suitable for me.  The payments were right where I wanted them, and my interest rate down 10% from my last loan. Â

My salesmen was Jerome Harris, when I came in told him what I could do, and he listened to my needs and came through for me. There was no pressure once so ever, overall it was a very good experience.  Now I can drive around town listening to my XM radio, which stays on the Elvis channel!

]]> A Louisville Used Cars Buying Experience

I have recently purchased a new car in Louisville, Kentucky. I did a fair amount of research before buying the car, and would like to share a bit about my car buying experience. I visited many websites sites, and read many reviews on a lot of local car dealerships. Most dealerships had mixed reviews, but a couple dealers really stood out. I was very careful this time around because I had a bad experience the last time I bought a used car in Louisville. It took my about as long to buy a car as it did not pick out a stick of deordorant from the grocery story. I stook a look at a couple and then just went with one. Not the best idea when you are spending $10,000.

The last time I bought a car I was not careful at all, I did not do any background research on vehicles or even consider the reputation of the car dealership I was about to purchase from. I bought a used Honda Accord last year from the a Louisville Honda Dealer, and they gave me a raw deal. It was partially my fault because I never asked for a car fax, or did much background research on the vehicle. It had been wrecked and I was never made aware of it by my salesmen ( who probably did not know in all likelihood) or anyone else at the dealership. Â

Once I bought Honda, I knew I was stuck with it and I decided that I would stick it out and drive it for a year. Once that year was up I would go to the Louisville used cars dealer and upgrade to a something else.

I went to the Kia Store, and took and saw the Kia Soul for the first time.  I took it for a test drive and fell in love with it.  I was worried that the finances would not work out right, due to credit reasons, but they found a lender that was suitable for me.  The payments were right where I wanted them, and my interest rate down 10% from my last loan. Â

My salesmen was Jerome Harris, when I came in told him what I could do, and he listened to my needs and came through for me. There was no pressure once so ever, overall it was a very good experience.  Now I can drive around town listening to my XM radio, which stays on the Elvis channel!

]]> http://used-cars-louisville.com/blog/2011/05/19/9/feed/ 0