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It appears that Volkswagen’s compact crossover SUV is starting to come into its own. In previous years, if “name a model of Volkswagen” were a category on Family Feud, the top four answers on the board would likely be the Beetle, the Jetta, the Golf, and the Passat; in that order. However, following some changes to this year’s model, the reviews for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan could mean adding a fifth answer on the board. When the folks at Volkswagen got to work on the 2016 Tiguan, a few of the words they wanted to stay at the forefront were fun, versatility, roomy, and safe. According to recent reviews of the vehicle, they hit the nail on the head on each of these counts. Let’s take a look at a few: more In their "First Drive" column, Investor's Monthly had this to say, "The Tiguan is heavily focused on all-wheel drive, though it offers six-speed manual versions of its 1.4l petrol four-cylinder (92kW) and base 1.6 TDI (85kW) as front-wheel drives." They continued, "The strongest two engines are turbocharged, with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing and the all-wheel drive models all use seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions." They continued by talking about the roominess and versatility of the Tiguan. "The car gives you the choice of rear seat or luggage as a priority. In its standard form it has a useful 615l (up 145l), and can grow as the rear seats slide forward up to 170mm. They also slide (and fold) independently, with a 60:40 split that allows a baby seat to stay in place while the larger side folds flat." When talking about the info-tainment system, they said, "If you’ve seen a Passat’s interior, you’ll be familiar with most of what goes on in the Tiguan, and that’s a good thing. The instrument panel has no analogue parts at all and is instead the stunning, fully digital TFT Active Info Display with seven different display options. On top of that, quite literally, is a head-up display. The glass unit rises from the instrument cluster and though the display area can be adjusted to suit the driver’s eye line, it never feels integrated and can be an annoyance in the peripheral vision rather than an intuitive aid." Overall, they said the Tiguan was “bordering on near perfection.” Car and Bike gave the Tiguan a 5 Star rating, noting its safety above all else, “The latest generation of Volkswagen's 7-seater premium SUV achieved 96 per cent of the maximum rating in the testing of occupant safety for adults and 84 per cent for child safety.” They also praised the measures Volkswagen has taken to ensure everyone in the vehicle has air bag protection: US News had a few good things to say as well. "The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan is just the ticket if you want a compact SUV with an upscale interior and performance that’s sportier than what you’d expect from a compact family SUV." "Tiguan is an excellent choice for driving enthusiasts who find themselves in need of more space than a VW Golf or Jetta offers. Front-wheel drive is standard on the Tiguan, and all-wheel drive is available. With its nimble handling, the Tiguan can feel more like a sporty sedan than an SUV." Edmunds.com starts off by calling the Tiguan an "odd duck" but then warms up a bit by saying it, "provides a lot of positive attributes. The seating position is high, seemingly higher, in fact, than many rivals, providing that tall, commanding view of the road ahead. Its smaller size, which is a detriment when trying to stuff in the contents of an overly exuberant Costco run, is a benefit when trying to maneuver in the parking lot during said Costco run. There's also a responsiveness and indisputable Germanic refinement to the Tiguan that makes it more pleasurable to drive than the typical small SUV. Hit the gas and the standard 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers energetic acceleration that's among the quickest in the segment." The info-tainment system also get a nod from Edmunds when they note that Volkswagen has made up serious ground on competitors in recent years with technology upgrades.

Cars.com has released their annual “best in class” for 2016, and guess who came out on top for mid-size sedans? The Volkswagen Passat gets the nod for the 2016 mid-size sedan challenge over some formidable competition. In drawing this conclusion, the folks at cars.com took into account a number of factors. They looked at cars from a previous challenge in 2014 where the Passat finished third, then “added models with significant redesigns or refreshes along with the segment sales leader.” A few of the things they looked at were, “automatic transmissions, get an EPA-estimated rating of 28 mpg combined and cost $28,000 or less.” more From there, they put the cars through a week long test. They drove them "on a 220-mile real-world mileage course in and around" a major American city. Their judges drove them "back-to-back-to-back on the same pavement to evaluate ride, handling, comfort, acceleration and more." Finally, they "brought in an in-market couple to test the cars for ride, handling, acceleration and more." Going up against the Passat were the Hyundai Sonata, who won the challenge two years ago, the Subaru Legacy, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Honda Accord, the Kia Optima, the Nissan Altima, and the Toyota Camry. Here are a few quotes that the judges from cars.com had about the Passat: "The 1.8-liter engine is smooth, and never really feels like a turbo, until you want it to." "The Passat's cushy seats, and pleasant ride and handling balance, make it long-trip comfortable." "The integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto add features and help future-proof the multimedia technology." "The collision-avoidance system with emergency braking is standard on the Passat." Judging different categories on a scale of one to ten, the Passat bested all competition with an 8 for interior quality, a 7.8 for comfort, a 7.6 for acceleration, a 9 for child safety seats, and a 7.6 for “worth the money.” Interestingly enough, the lowest score the Passat received in any category was for “tech and entertainment,” but even in that category, the judges noted the Passat’s ability to adapt to more users than their competition. One judge said, "Many automakers keep saying that their cars will eventually be equipped with both CarPlay and Android Auto, but few have delivered." Since the price range for their mid-sized sedan challenge was capped at $28,100, the judges didn’t base their rankings on price, but it is worth noting that of the 9 models they compared, 5 of them were priced higher than the Passat.

In South Louisiana, summer brings with it a natural desire to hit the road. School is out and there are endless possibilities for road trips. Whether you’re hitting the beach, heading down to New Orleans, exploring the plantations on River Road, or just skipping town for the weekend, you’re going to want a vehicle that helps you get the most out of your lifestyle. That is why we have put together 5 ways the Volkswagen Golf can get the most out of your summer. more Trip computer helps you get where you’re going efficiently. Are you get the most bang for your buck out of every tank of gas? Are you finding that you need to stop and fill up more often than you think you should? The trip computer in the Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI help alleviate these problems. You can minimize stops and get where you’re going faster by keeping track of your current and average fuel economy. The trip computer lets you know how much farther you can go on your current tank of gas, preventing you from stopping too soon, or missing your last opportunity before running out. The trip computer also records your average speed, allowing you to calculate how much time you have left until you reach your destination. Cargo room that allows for a quick getaway. If you have a day long road trip planned, or a weekend excursion, the Golf has more than enough room to keep you packed and prepared. The Golf has 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 52.7 cubic feet behind the front seats when the rear seats are folded down. In real terms, that means you can fit two standard airline carry-on bags and a 52 quart ice chest without folding the seats down, and have room to spare. Infotainment system helps you enjoy the ride. The infotainment system in your Volkswagen Golf offers a number of great features, but really sets itself apart by allowing you to fully integrate your smart phone with the vehicle. Through Apple’s Car Play or Android Auto, you have access to your phone and all the apps within it built into the console. Sunroof helps you enjoy the weather. In most places, this time of year is a great time of year to open the sunroof and let the breeze in. Here in South Louisiana, that idea can be met with, “are you crazy? You’re letting the air out!” Fortunately, the Volkswagen Golf comes with a panoramic glass sunroof so you have the option of letting the sunlight in, without letting the a/c out. Of course, once the sun goes down, feel free to fully enjoy the sweet southern summer night air. Rear view camera and park assist help when you are in unfamiliar territory. They say practice makes perfect; and for a lot of drivers, driver’s education was the last time they practiced parallel parking. But, if you find yourself in a place where you need it, park assist comes in handy. The rear view camera is even more valuable. If you’re leaving a busy mall, parked on the side of a street, or backing out of your own driveway, it greatly reduces blind spots and creates a safer experience. Of course, there are other features of the Golf that will help you get the most out of your summer. The turbo charged engine, 36 highway miles per gallon, 10 straight years ranked as one of Car and Driver’s 10 best vehicles, and more. If you want to learn more about the Volkswagen Golf, you can visit our website, or come in for a test drive.

As summer approaches, that usually means vacation time for the family. When considering your vacation destination, cost is almost always a factor. This often ends up leaving people grounded, nudging them towards opting for a road trip instead of flying. But, even if you go “Griswold,” you still want to keep your cost down. One of the ways to do that is to maximize your gas mileage before you hit the road. So, we have put together a list of 5 tips to increase your gas mileage. more Replace your air filter. A clean air filter improves air flow to the engine. This causes your engine to work more efficiently. That means it will take less acceleration to get the car moving, which means less gas that you have to give it to get up to your desired speed. Check your tire pressure. You want to do this anyway to extend the life of your tires. Over the course of a winter, as temperatures fluctuate, you can lose tire pressure. That reduction in pressure leads to more of the tire making contact with the road. That gives you more resistance, and lower fuel efficiency. Inflating the tires to their recommended pressure alleviates that resistance. It should be noted, that there is no benefit to over inflating your tires. Some people have bought into the myth that the more air you have above the recommended pressure, further reduces the resistance with the road. There is no data to support that myth. Furthermore, overinflating your tires reduces their life span, which means buying tires more frequently, which completely negates the idea of trying to save money. Manage your air conditioning. This is really a series of tips within a tip. Managing your air conditioning is difficult in South Louisiana. Ideally, the best gas mileage comes with the windows rolled up and the air conditioning turned off as the a/c is a major strain on fuel. But, I think we can all agree that that is never going to happen during a Louisiana summer. So, you are left with managing the a/c you use. Try parking in the shade when you can. Roll down your windows when you first get in the car to let the hot air out. Provided it’s comfortable, keep the windows down when you are traveling under 40 miles an hour, and don’t turn on the air until the windows are up. Above 40 miles per hour, switch to the a/c, because once you start getting to higher speeds, the windows being down creates more drag than the drain on the gas caused by the a/c. Keep your engine properly tuned. Fortunately, today’s vehicles have no problem sharing with you when there is something that needs to be addressed. Also, keeping with your service schedule at your Volkswagen dealer, means that you will be as tuned as you can be most of the time. But, if you drive an older vehicle, or don’t get regular maintenance, and something goes wrong, you can end up wasting as much in lost fuel efficiency as you can by paying to have your vehicle fixed. The most common problem that seems unimportant, but costs you dearly is having a faulty oxygen sensor. This can leave a 30 to 40% dent in your fuel efficiency. That means you will be back at the pump a third more often than you are now. Get your foot off the floor. The harder you accelerate, the more gas you use. By easing out of red lights and stop signs, you can reduce the amount of gas it takes to get you moving. Naturally, you don’t want to get the driver behind you mad, but you’re not drag racing either. The best way to describe what you should be doing, is to “accelerate smoothly.” A secondary tip to accompany this is to keep your speed down over all. The faster you are going, the more drag your vehicle creates. Anything over 55 miles per hour, and the drag increases significantly as you continue to raise you speed. So, every time you wonder if you’re “making good time,” try to keep in mind that “good time” can easily be negated by more frequently needing to stop for gas. There are dozens, if not hundreds of ways to improve your gas mileage. Adopting as many as you can is better for your car and better for your wallet. If we can help along the way, please contact our service department.

There are times where a car can go from one model year to the next with few, if any, noticeable changes. But, from time to time, car makers decide it is time to raise the bar. That is exactly what Volkswagen did in moving from the 2015 to the 2016 Passat. When taking a look at what is new with the new Passat, we found quite a bit worth sharing. The 2016 Passat offers new styling inside and out as well as a host of new connectivity and driver assistance features. more Let’s start with the exterior design. The 2016 Passat is far more aggressive than the 2015. It features a new hood, front fenders, grille, front and rear bumpers, trunklid and available LED headlights and taillights. Volkswagen’s head of design, Klaus Bischoff said the new design gives the car, “a dynamic presence and a more sophisticated look.” More specifically, slimmer headlights, a more substantial four-bar grille, and the muscular, domed hood all work together to give the Passat a wider, more planted stance from the front. There are some noticeable changes to the interior of the 2016 Passat as well, all with the intent of presenting a more sophisticated look and feel. The description from Volksagen USA tells us, “a new instrument panel features two large gauges and the center stack incorporates VW’s latest MIB II infotainment system.  The interior also features upgraded materials, a new steering wheel and column stalk design, two-tone décor panels, and refined chrome and piano black trim.  Heatable rear seats are a new available feature, along with Easy-Open keyless access that opens the trunk via moving a foot near the rear of the vehicle.” Technology upgrades are where the 2016 Passat truly raises the bar as it features Volkswagen’s second-generation “modular infotainment platform”, also known as MIB II. The system features touchscreens as standard equipment on all models. On most models, the display utilizes a capacitive touch sensor (similar to smartphone and tablet technology) enabling gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming rather than the resistive touchscreens that require pressure and have slightly longer response times.  Most MIB II units also feature a proximity sensor, which detects when a hand is nearby and automatically switches its display to allow easier selection of specific features. USB and Bluetooth® connectivity are standard on all 2016 Passat models. The MIB II system also serves as the foundation for the available Volkswagen Car-Net® system, one of the most comprehensive suites of connected vehicle services and features available in the automotive industry today. VW Car-Net includes App-Connect technology, featuring the three major smartphone integration platforms—Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®. This allows seamless integration with the vast majority of smartphones available today. Since Volkswagen has a reputation for putting safety at the forefront, the 2016 Passat has numerous features that help live up to that reputation. It features, the automatic post-collision braking system, which applies the brakes after a primary collision in anticipation of a secondary collision, since most accidents are rarely a single, instantaneous event. Also standard on all Passats is a rearview camera.  Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, lane assist, and park assist are available on most, but not all Passat models.

Very few cars can claim to have as storied and rich of a history as the Volkswagen Beetle. From its inception to its modern concept, the Beetle has been one of, if not the most recognizable cars in the world. This recognition has allowed the Beetle to adopt a personality and life of its own. Sure, it’s fun, sporty, and safe, but there’s so much more to it than that. Along with any storied history, there are a few details you might not have known so we have put together 5 things you didn’t know about the Volkswagen Beetle. more Hitler stole the concept. Originally designed by Joseph Ganz, the Beetle was discovered by Adolf Hitler at an auto show in 1933. At the time, Ganz’s car was known as the Standard Superior. Hitler’s vision was to have a very basic vehicle, capable of transporting 2 adults and 3 children, regular Germans could afford. The Volkswagen Beetle was to be known as “the people’s car.” In fact, the moniker “Volkswagen” translates to mean the people’s car. Of course, once Hitler got his hands on it, Ganz’s name all but disappeared from history. Designed by Porsche. (Yeah, that Porsche) Once he knew what he wanted, Hitler called on Ferdinand Porsche for the actual development. Since this was to be “the people’s car,” Porsche was tasked with two main objectives. The first was to insure that parts could be easily and affordably replaced. The second was to make sure the engine was air-cooled. Liquid coolant wasn’t as prevalent at the time, and considered to be more for luxury vehicles. Porsche, though more frequently associated with luxury vehicles, was able to achieve both objectives and the first Volkswagens became available in 1939. Interestingly, though the Beetle was supposed to be the people’s car, World War 2 limited production and only Germany’s elite could afford one. It wasn’t until after the war that production of the Beetle began to boom. You can get a birth certificate. This is just for the classic Volkswagen Beetles made before production halted in 1979. As a point of clarification, there were Beetles being made up until 2003, but from 1979 to 2003, they were manufactured at a plant in Pueblo, Mexico for taxi fleets. As for the classic Beetles, they garnered so much interest that the Stiftung Auto Museum offers birth certificates as a way for owners to learn more about their cars. If you send them 50 Euro, they will send you a birth certificate; for 25 more, they will send you a data sheet to go with it. Be patient, though. This is a very popular program, so it may take months before your certificate arrives. From telematics to heated mirrors. While the original Volkswagen Beetle may have been the most basic of cars, that was over 80 years ago. Today, the Beetle can come with up to 60 different available options, all while remaining “the people’s car.” Stars in its own series of movies. How many cars can say they are the star of multiple movies? Well, other than Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater? The Volkswagen Beetle starred as Herbie in the 1968 film, The Love Bug. Herbie then came back for five sequels, including Herbie Fully Loaded in 2005.

It’s that time of year again. After hours of checking and sorting, you’ve filed your taxes and can finally stop biting your nails. Now that your heart’s beating normally again and that tension headache is subsiding, it’s time to decide what to do with the tax refund your hard work has earned over the past year. With that refund padding your pocket, you’ve got the time and money to take a long hard look at your purchases. Replace your old TV or laptop or tablet! There are so many gadgets on the market, that tension migraine might rear its ugly head just thinking about all of your options… So how about turning your attention to something you depend on every day? You trust your car with your life and your family, but is it trustworthy still? more Purchasing a car is such a big commitment, you exclaim. But have you thought about leasing? Maybe you should. Since you’re only paying for the car’s depreciation during your lease, you have a lower down payment and monthly payment —perfect for stretching that tax return. You don’t have the headache of resale. Things change! In three years, you might need a bigger car for an expanding family, or maybe your nest emptied and you’ll want something smaller or a second car for errands around Baton Rouge. With the three-year leases available at Southpoint Volkswagen, you have the ability to change your mind in just a few short years—without worrying about paying off your current car loan or depreciating trade-in value. And with Southpoint Volkswagen’s certified service department, the routine maintenance for your leased car is a breeze; plus, you don’t have to deal with the groans and squeaks of a car growing older. This year, let Southpoint Volkswagen help point your tax refund in the right direction. Head on over to southpointvw.com for more information and the latest leasing offers on brand-new 2016 Volkswagen vehicles.

When it comes to the SUV market, Volkswagen is known for two main options, their compact crossover, the Tiguan, and their midsize Toureg. But, There is about to be a new option on the market, and some in the media are taking notice. Coming soon, crossover and SUV lovers will be able to get a closer look at the Tiguan GTE, which recently made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in January. more The vehicle’s most striking innovation is its efficient plug-in hybrid system that uses two electric motors and a gasoline engine, which can supply all four wheels with power, either automatically or at the push of a button. This concept proves how much potential plug-in hybrid systems have. The all-wheel-drive system’s technology ensures that this SUV can offer supreme off-road performance, even in all-electric mode.  The five-seat concept is based on the completely redeveloped second-generation Tiguan. The GTE Active Concept reflects the great technical versatility of the new SUV, which will arrive to the U.S. market in 2017 with a longer wheelbase and available seven-seat functionality. According to Volkswagen, “the new Tiguan marks the kickoff of an SUV product offensive that will significantly expand the range of vehicles offered, especially in North America.” It will be available to the public in 2017 along with another model that is expected to be a midsize SUV that is a little smaller than the Toureg. Below is a collection of photos of the Tiguan GTE:

As the Super Bowl approaches, anticipation for all facets of the overall event starts to build. There is the game itself, the pomp and circumstance surrounding the entire week, the all-out media circus surrounding Super Bowl week, the viewing parties on Super Bowl Sunday, and of course, the commercials that air during the game itself. Super Bowl commercials are as talked about as the game itself. They are remembered, critiqued, ranked, and some go down as the greatest of all time. With Super Bowl 50 just around the corner, we’ve been seeing some of those critiques and rankings pop up, and sure enough, Volkswagen ranks among the Super Bowl’s best of all time. more The spot was titled, “The Force.” It featured a child in a Darth Vader costume, Composer John Williams’ Imperial March from Star Wars, a 2012 Volkswagen Passat, a father feeding his child’s imagination, and not a single word of dialogue. If you have never seen it, check it out: The spot was actually released on line the week before the Super Bowl. While most companies kept their Super Bowl commercials under wraps until they are revealed during the big game, seventeen million people had seen The Force before kickoff. The result was that it ended up being the most talked about commercial of the year, and remains the most “shared” Super Bowl ad of all time. Beyond just going viral, Sports Illustrated ranked The Force as the tenth best Super Bowl ad ever, saying it “ruled the galaxy.” Watchmojo.com ranked it as the sixth best of all time (see video below). USA Today’s Ad Meter ranked it fourth highest. But, taking note of combination of both the online and on air response to The Force, Time Magazine has dubbed it as “ the ad that changed Super Bowl commercials forever.”

Every year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) releases their list of top safety picks. To qualify as a top safety pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in five crashworthiness tests: small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints. It also needs a basic rating for front crash prevention. To qualify as a top safety pick plus, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention. Volkswagen routinely finds its vehicles represented on IIHS lists every year, and 2016 is no exception. The Passat, Jetta, GTI, and Golf all qualify as IIHS top safety picks plus for 2016. more The Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen GTI are top safety pick plus for the second straight year, and have been a top safety pick for seven straight years. The Golf and GTI both feature front and rear head curtain airbags as well as front seat-mounted torso airbags. They also have electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and daytime running lights. A new addition to this year's models is a rollover sensor that is designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover. Here’s a look at the small overlap test for the GTI: This is the second straight year for the Volkswagen Jetta to get the nod as an IIHS top safety pick plus and the first year for the Volkswagen Passat. Much like the Golf and the GTI, both the Passat and Jetta have front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags. They also feature electronic stability control, antilock brakes, daytime running lights, and the rollover sensor that is designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover. Below is video of the small overlap test for the Jetta and for the Passat: These Volkswagen models earned their rankings even as IIHS toughened their standards. According to an article on PR Newswire, “A number of previous winners are missing from the new lists, including many small and midsize cars. Last year, vehicles with an acceptable small overlap rating could qualify for either award if their other four crashworthiness ratings were good. An available front crash prevention system was required only for TOP SAFETY PICK+ and not TOP SAFETY PICK. More than 20 winners of the 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK award and four plus-award winners don't qualify under the 2016 criteria. The tougher criteria are intended to encourage manufacturers to continue to build safer vehicles, a focus that has helped to dramatically reduce crash deaths during the past two decades.”

When it comes to getting your vehicle repaired, there has always been a battle of where to go; a garage or the dealership where you bought the vehicle. The local garage may demonstrate a number of advantages in their advertising trying to attract your business, but our dealership has its own list of reasons for your business. So, to answer the question, "should I get my car services at the dealership?" We are giving you six benefits of choosing your dealership over a garage. more - Facilities: When a local mechanic wants to open a garage, they start small and grow as they get better and more successful at what they do. When your dealership opened, the manufacturer provided them with state of the art equipment that exists solely to service the brand of vehicle that they make. We have all heard the phrase, you need the right tool for the job. Well, in terms of the service department at your dealership, they have exactly that. Where a local garage needs to service many makes, models, and brands, your dealership can specialize in just one brand. This isn't to say that they can't service other brands, in fact, they do everyday. But, when it comes to a Volkswagen, wouldn't you trust the facilities that have the Volkswagen emblem on the front door?   - Technical expertise: Along with the facilities being laid out specifically for the brand of vehicle that you drive, the technicians working there see that type of car all day long. In other words, they get tons of practice. The training they receive comes from the people that made your car, and it doesn't stop. Just as it is important to know how to maintain and repair a particular make and model of vehicle, it is equally important to know the changes made to that vehicle from year to year. While the mechanic at a local garage can have this knowledge, the technician at your dealership most assuredly will have that knowledge.   - Guaranties & warranties: If your vehicle is under warranty, taking it to the dealership is a "no brainer" as they are the ones who honor that warranty so the work being done will almost always be free of charge. Straying from the dealership could lead to unforeseen charges as often times, the warranty doesn't extend beyond where the dealership can guarantee the quality of work being done. Also, keeping the vehicle at the dealership opens the door to additional warranties as the service department at the dealership will use Original Equipment Manufacturer parts. OEM parts come with their own warranties. Local garages have access to the same OEM parts, but they aren't always as readily available. Your Volkswagen dealership knows day in and day out that they need Volkswagen parts on hand. A garage that services all makes, models, and brands of vehicles physically can't keep parts for everything in inventory. This usually means the owner of the vehicle has to wait a few days while the necessary part is ordered.   - Quality of parts: Following seamlessly behind guarantees and warranties, the quality of parts isn't a certainty outside of the dealership as not all garages use OEM parts. As a cost saving measure, some mechanics use re-manufactured or refurbished parts. They can explain and demonstrate how they work just as well as an OEM part, but at the end of the day, it's a used part going in your car and it doesn't come with the peace of mind that the warranty on the OEM part brings you.   - Recalls: If there is a recall on a part in your vehicle, your dealership contacts you and replaces the part. If the recalled part is causing an alert to go off in your vehicle, an independent garage will likely have no idea that a specific part has been recalled and will not be able to diagnose the problem as quickly, which can lead to potentially expensive bills for unnecessary repairs. Some garages make it a point to stay as tuned in to recalls as possible, but it is quite cumbersome to cover every make and model of every brand of vehicle. Also, along with recalls, there Technical Service Bulletins. According to the NHTSA, a TSB is an advisory issued by an automotive manufacturer to its dealership service departments detailing a fix for a known concern or difficult repair. In these cases, there is no recall of a part, but there is a blueprint for something that needs fixing and how to fix it.   - Personal service/customer satisfaction: This is a benefit that you may not consider going in, but is certainly present. The dealership has a vested interest in keeping you happy. Why? Because your experience as a customer began with the purchase of your vehicle and will hopefully continue through the purchase of your next vehicle. To go along with that, the dealership will have a history of your vehicle. They will know about previous service and maintenance. They know that when it comes to building a lifelong relationship with a customer, the steps along the way are important to keeping that relationship going. That's not to say that some independent garages don't provide terrific service, but when you look at the larger picture, the dealership has more tools and a greater want to do so.   While independent garages go out of their way to tell you that they save you money; they never explain how they save you money. Cheaper parts, less training, less equipment, and fewer guarantees all factor into an equation that can trim a few dollars off of the current visit, but once something breaks a second time, those savings are washed out and you end up paying even more in the long run.

A number of factors go into the car purchasing process. Shoppers weigh the benefits of different makes and models, different dealerships, and financing options. One question that many people ask along the way is, how much of a down payment do I need to buy a car? The answer to this question can be simultaneously simple and varied. We have put together a quick and easy guide explaining some of the more important things to consider when determining how much down payment you should make when purchasing a car. more The first thing you want to do is establish how much you can afford to spend on a car. Before you get wrapped up in make or model, you need to know how much is leaving your bank account every month to pay for it. If you buy more car than you can afford, you put a number of things at risk, including losing the car you just bought. So, you will need to sit down and figure out a monthly budget. Factoring in your income and other current expenses, how much is left for a car payment? This may seem like common sense, but you’d be amazed by the number of people that skip this step and just say, “if I couldn’t afford it, they wouldn’t have approved it.” This is obviously not the case, and is a trap you want to avoid. Once you know your budget, then you want to determine your credit score. This will help you learn how much you can finance on your car purchase. Knowing how much you can finance gives you a better idea of the general price range of vehicle you can afford. There are a few places to check your score for free online. It is recommended that you get your score from all three major reporting agencies. Next, you can start shopping. Bear in mind shopping is not the same as buying. You want to gather as much information as possible on as many vehicles as possible that meet the criteria you want in your next car. Start very broad, and winnow the choices as you go. It may be a good idea to put together a checklist of priorities ahead of time so you don’t get wrapped up in the experience. This is similar to having a shopping list before you go to the grocery store. Once you have narrowed down your choices to the top two or three, it becomes time to start mapping out a forecasted payment schedule. This will give you a very real sense of how far your dollars can go. By taking the information you gathered checking your credit score, and meshing it with your monthly budget, you can pair that with the price of your top choices of vehicle you want. Take your monthly car budget, multiply it by the number of months you want to finance the vehicle, then subtract that total from the price of the car. The remainder is what you will need for a down payment. That equation may seem oversimplified, but it is a great way to start. Once you have determined that initial down payment estimate, feel free to tinker with the numbers a bit. Have you maxed out what you can afford per month? Do you want to finance for five years instead of four? Did you factor in interest? These things and many more will all come into play before you actually purchase your vehicle, but determining your down payment should involve a closer look than just “how much money do I currently have?”