Lemons are for Lemonade, Not Used Vehicles: What to Look for When Buying a Pre-Owned Car

Buying a pre-owned vehicle doesn’t mean you have to settle for lower quality. With Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles (CPOVs), you can find a like-new car, truck, minivan or SUV that’s right for you. When shopping for your next CPOV, there are several things to look for to consider.

Certification and Inspection

Make sure you next pre-owned vehicle is certified. Look for a 125-point inspection that covers all these areas:

·        Qualification Standards – Clean title, mileage, age of car and frame condition.

·        Ownership Materials – Warranty and owner’s manuals and operational key.

·        Mechanical Standards – Pre-road test, road test, and post-road test with operational checks and performance checks and comfort.

·        Maintenance Standards – Fluid inspection and change, brakes, tires and wheels, hoses and belts.

·        Appearance Standards – Interior and exterior, lamp and wheel covers, carpet, headliner and instrument panel.

·        Detail Standards – Interior and exterior detailing, clean engine compartment, and free of odor and moisture leaks.

Vehicle History

It’s essential to know where the vehicle has been and how it’s been treated. Our CPOV’s come with a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report and CARFAX® Buyback Guarantee, so you can be sure the vehicle you select has no prior title obligations and has not been involved in any DMV-reported incidents, such as fire or flood, salvage, a lemon history or odometer discrepancies. With the occurrence of natural disasters in recent years, it’s especially important to make sure a vehicle has not been subjected to extended flood conditions.

Warranty

Buying a CPOV with an included warranty gives you something that’s priceless: peace of mind. Any reputable pre-owned vehicle dealer will offer a basic warranty with the option of purchasing an extended warranty. In addition to basic and extended warranty options, try to get a Lifetime Certified Upgrade Plan for qualifying vehicles.

Roadside Coverage

Accidents happen – tires go flat, keys get locked in the car, etc. When they do, it’s good to know you’ve got someone you can call, 24/7. Find a vehicle partner that also includes towing and roadside assistance so that you know you’re in good hands for those times you run out of gas or leave your lights on and need a jump start. It’s always a good idea to have your bases covered when things don’t go as planned. It would be good if roadside coverage offers even have a rental car allowance just in case a covered component fails. If your CPOV is inoperable and repairs take overnight, these plans often provide up to $35 a day with our rental car allowance.

Extras

When you shop for your ideal CPOV, there are details to look out for that sweet the deal, such as three complimentary months of SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, which can make the difference.

Questions

Send us your questions on what to look for or on how to shop for used cars. Leave a comment below or contact us here.

Banking on Peace of Mind: The Case for Extended Warranties

When a dealership’s finance department mentions purchasing an extended warranty, most people want to hide under the desk. After making one of the biggest purchases of your life, you may not be ready to face any extra money at the close of sale.

 Or, you might just think that you are paying out for nothing or on the slim chance that something might go wrong with your vehicle. However, there are many reasons why you should consider an extended warranty.

Measurable Benefits that Yield a Return on Investment

If you are buying a new car, you most likely think, “What could possibly go wrong? Plus, I have a warranty that comes with it already.” If you are purchasing a used vehicle, you may think it is better to gamble that nothing will go “too” wrong. However, the law of averages almost always seems to lead to the fact that something stops working on a vehicle just days after the standard warranty runs out.

Although most vehicles come with a 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, you will have no protection against mechanical breakdowns when that expires. That’s when you need to think about these reasons why an extended vehicle warranty will pay you back:

• The biggest benefit is saving on repair expenses when they do arise. Usually, the deductible is so small compared to what the repairs cost. And, some of the repairs in the long run will cost more than the warranty itself.
• Once the standard warranty runs out, the extended plan immediately kicks in so there is no lapse where a repair would not be covered.
• Having an extended warranty is a good selling point if an owner wants to re-sell the car down the line to someone else. Most plans can be transferred to the new vehicle owner.
• You can bring the car back to the dealership where you purchased it or to another certified dealer if you have moved since your original purchase. This provides you with peace of mind that the work is being completed by someone who knows your car, truck, or SUV from the inside out.

 Remember that buying an extended vehicle warranty at the point of purchase is cheaper than buying it a few years later just when the standards warranty runs out. Here’s why:

• You’ll find that you will less likely bother to make the investment then and take the gambling approach.
• Waiting to pick a plan as the existing warranty wraps up, you may find yourself selecting some type of Internet warranty company that turns out to not be a reputable business. Instead, purchasing this warranty through a dealership will ensure that you will be working with a trusted company.
• Plus, if you buy the extended warranty when you purchase the car, the warranty can be added into what gets financed.

Types of Extended Warranties

The best type of extended warranties is one that is considered comprehensive in nature. Offering the greatest value for you, these plans often include some key benefits like rental car allowances, free towing, trip-interruption coverage, lost key/lockout service and monthly payment options.

Even within the comprehensive category of extended warranties, there are a number of plans to consider. In working with a dealership, it is important that the finance department or your sales person covers the plans and works with you to figure out the one that is right for your situation.

The Right Approach

As a consumer, you need to know the facts:

• Be sure to ask what is covered under the warranty and what is not.
• Read the booklet and all the fine print.
• Learn how the warranty process works so you can be prepared to cover the deductible or any other costs that are not included. 

 Do you have questions or are you unsure of the process? Please submit your questions below and we will be happy to provide you some answers. You can also contact us directly to learn more.

Take Care of Your Tires and They’ll Take Care of You

You may not realize just how important your tires are to the safety and long-term value of your vehicle. While there have not been the critical tire problems faced by SUV drivers in the 1990s, there are still plenty of reasons to stay on top of tread and the four wheels that keep you rolling down the highway. This article provides some startling facts and some great tips on staying safe by starting with proactive tire maintenance.

Startling Facts about Tires

Two statistics stand out as presented by SafeTires.org:

• Two out of three drivers do not know how to tell if their tires are bald, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
• Nearly one in 10 vehicles is driving with at least one bald tire (2/32” of tread remaining), according to the U. S. Department of Transportation. That means nearly 23-million vehicles are driving with a bald tire (based on 230-million vehicles registered in the United States).

Poor tread and balding tires can cause hydroplaning to be worse in wet conditions. This can also lead to blowouts and other types of mishaps that can cause severe vehicle damage plus put you and your loved ones in danger.

Other Reasons for Watching Your Tires

There are many more reasons beside the safety factor in terms of why it pays to keep an eye on tire pressure and tread:

• The right air pressure helps tires do their job: keep traction, be responsive, and handle well on all types of roads and condition. You want to make sure that your tires can provide the extra assistance they need when it comes to steering and cornering.
• The correct tire pressure also helps economize on fuel, and, with gas prices as high as they are, this is a critical way to maximize your available gas budget.  
• Keeping air pressure topped up also creates a more comfortable ride.
• An overinflated tire can lead to less grip and traction control as well as lead to irregular tread wear on your tires.

Tips for Tires

Don’t take your tires for granted. If you do, you could be wasting valuable time and money on breakdowns and repair bills. Remember these easy tips to stay on top of your tires:

• Check your tires in all seasons. Extreme hot and cold weather can create air contraction that can quickly change tire pressure.
• Regularly inspect your tires for potential leaks and uneven wear at least once per month on smaller vehicles or more often on larger vehicles or if you have long commutes each day.
• Kicking and thumping tires does not tell you much. Instead, coins are a great way to measure how much treat you have let. Use a penny or quarter and check to see that part of Lincoln’s head or part of Washington's head is covered by the tread. If it is, then your tread is okay. Try this around various areas of the tire rather than just one spot to make sure the tread is not wearing in an uneven manner.
• Regularly rotate your tires to help keep tires balanced and to counteract any alignment issues. Otherwise, this can lead to uneven tire wear. Be sure to keep a log of when you replace or rotate a tire so you can keep track of performance levels of tires and see if the brand you selected is working for your vehicle. While your owner’s manual gives you the best guidelines, a general rule of thumb on rotating tires is every 5,000 to 10,000 miles.

Work with a Tire Pro

The best way to make sure your tires are working for their true life span is to have a tire pro or automotive expert regularly inspect and rotate your tires. They can also help you by recommending the best type and brand of tires for your vehicle and lifestyle.

What is your experience with tires? Do you stay on top of checking them or do you take them for granted? Do you have any questions that we can answer for you? Leave your comments or questions here.

Albuquerque Sci-Fi Expo Makes its Debut

We are proud to announce our lead sponsorship of an exciting new event in our local community of Albuquerque. Being the first of its kind in the Albuquerque area provides local businesses with additional tourism and a means of reinvesting in our community. 

Like the Sci-Fi genre, our dealership is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to exceptional service, value, and choice. We look forward to more of these events where we can serve as a sponsor and illustrate our commitment to the area and to our fellow citizens.

The first annual Sci-Fi Expo is a not-to-miss event for science fiction television, film, and print enthusiasts. It is set for Saturday, August 6-Sunday, August 7, 2011 at the Albuquerque Convention Center located at 401 2^nd Street, NW. The events each day are scheduled from 10:00am-6:00pm.

Celebrities and Artists

Confirmed for the event are such celebrities as Edward Furlong from Terminator 2, Ray Park (Darth Mall from Star Wars), Walter Koenig from Star Trek, Charisma Carpenter from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Daniel Logan (Boba Fett from Star Wars), Dean Stockwell from Quantum Leap, and Herbert Jefferson Jr. (Lt. Boomer from Battlestar Galactica) just to name a few. Also on hand are special effects artists, comic book artists, and writers. Autograph and photo sessions will be scheduled each day. More celebrities will be announced at a later date.

Event Highlights

Other exciting event highlights include:

·        Ram trucks on site for test drive;

·        A drawing to win a new truck from Melloy Dodge;

·        Free Melloy Dodge service coupons, hats, water bottles and pens;

·        The Best Original Alien Costume, Saturday and Sunday, $100 per day prize;

·        Best Sci-Fi Expo 2012 Poster Design: $100 1st Place, $75.00 2nd Place, $50.00 3rd Place (all rights belong to Sci-Fi Expo);

·        Warhammer 40K Tournament with $1,000 in prizes;

·        Magic the Gathering Tournament with $1,000 in prizes;

·        Cosplay strongly encouraged (schedule pending);

·        Artist alley; and

·        Large exhibitor space with vendors and dealers.

Tickets

Tickets are available online, including full day passes ($25), daily passes ($15), VIP passes for entire event ($50), children’s (ages 6-12) full event pass ($10) and children’s (ages 6-12) daily passes ($5). Children under the age of 6 are free with a paid adult. Albuquerque Store House Food Drive offers $5.00 off any ticket for five pounds of food donated at the door. Military, law enforcement, and fire fighter personnel are free. 

Melloy Dodge Is Now On Google Blogger

Melloy Dodge

Albuquerque, New Mexico

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(888) 760-4136

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Melloy Dodge of Albuquerque, New Mexico welcomes you to our new blog. We are a family owned and operated auto dealership and have been proudly serving the Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho and Santa Fe areas since 1955. Stop by and check out our full line of New, Pre-owned and Certified Pre-owned, Dodge and Ram, cars, truck and SUV's.