Things to Consider when Getting Rid of Your Old Car

When you're getting ready to buy a new or used car, there will be a lot of things on your mind: how you're going to afford your next vehicle, the make and model of your next car, finding a car with a decent safety rating, etc. You'll be spending a lot of time looking for the best deal and the right model. Spending all of this time thinking about a new car may make you forget that you still need to do something with the old one. Whether you're considering donating it or selling it to someone who needs it, here are some things to consider before making a decision:

Evaluate Your Car's Condition

In order to successfully sell your car, you'll need to evaluate its condition beforehand to set a reasonable price. Kelley Blue Book has been a trusted resource for buyers and sellers for decades, and can give you a realistic estimate of the worth of your car. The Blue Book price is a good starting point, but you'll have to use your best judgment to see if there are any issues with or extra features of the vehicle that could raise or lower its price. 

Get ready for repair work

If there are any repairs that you know could improve the condition of your car, make them before you donate or sell it. Of course, you can always donate or sell a car "as-is," but you won't get nearly as much money. If you have a friend that's familiar with cars, you could have them give it quick check before taking it to the mechanic. That way, you'll know exactly what needs to be fixed, and avoid paying for repairs you don't need. Look for a service center in your area that only caters to people who drive your car brand. 

Get some expert advice

A Craigslist ad and a few Facebook statuses may be able to find you a few buyers but, if you want to get a good price, you should consider selling it to a dealership as a trade-in. You also might be able to find a mechanic who sells cars on the side. They could sell your car for a percentage of the sale and, because they already have regular customers, they may be able to find a buyer faster than you could. However, take care: some of these sellers can be notoriously shady, so you would need to vet your options well. A dealership trade-in would be far more secure.

Get rid of your "personal touches"

The bumper sticker with your favorite catchphrase may be perfect for your car, but it's pretty unlikely that NJ car dealers will like it as much as you do. Get rid any bumper stickers, spoilers, rims, and other special add-on items you've used to personalize your car. Don't wait until you find a buyer to remove them – do it before you start advertising your car to make it look more appealing!

3 Great New Toyota Vehicles for Teachers

Have you heard about Auto Land's new sale? For a limited time only, Auto Land is running a sale exclusively for teachers! Any teacher who buys or leases a new Toyota from Auto Land will have their first month's payment (up to $500) covered. But that's not all! We'll also throw in an extra $250 straight-A report debit card to help you purchase new supplies for your classroom! As one of the top NJ car dealers, Auto Land wants to give back to our teachers by helping to make both their commute and job as a teacher a little bit easier. If you're a teacher looking to cash in on this deal, we've got three great new Toyota vehicles in stock that we'd like to recommend! Here are our picks!

New 2015 Toyota Tundra

There are many things to love about the new 2015 Toyota Tundra. For one, it features 4-wheel drive, making it easy to handle in tough weather conditions like snow. You won't have to worry about finding a last minute substitute if your school remains open in a snowstorm. It also has a lot of open cargo space in the back, which is great for transporting supplies and furniture to your classroom. Other features include a 5.7L engine, an electronic 6-speed automatic transmission, cruise control with steering wheel controls, and many more. Learn more about the 2015 Toyota Tundra here.

New 2015 Toyota 4Runner

Okay, so maybe trucks aren't right for everyone and that's okay. The new 2015 Toyota 4Runner is another great option for teachers. This vehicle also has 4-wheel drive for tough weather conditions. It doesn't have the open back that the truck has, but it does hold up to five passengers, giving you plenty of room to store supplies or to even give one of your coworkers a ride home if they ever need it. Other features include a 4.0L V6 engine, electronic 5-speed automatic engine, cruise control with steering wheel controls, and other various modern-day luxuries. You can calculate your payments for this vehicle today by visiting our website.

New 2015 Toyota Avalon Sedan XLE Touring

If you're looking for a vehicle that's a bit sportier than the Tundra or the 4Runner, then the new 2015 Toyota Avalon Sedan XLE Touring is perfect for you! You'll be considered the coolest teacher in the whole school! This vehicle features a 3.5L engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, cruise control with steering wheel control, and many other luxurious features. It can hold up to five passengers, giving you room for supplies, field hockey team equipment – whatever you need. You can request a quote, make an offer, or even get pre-approved today!

Which of these teacher-approved vehicles would you most like to drive?  

Asking the Right Questions to Get the Best Price from NJ Car Dealers

Many people think that when they are buying a new car, there are only a few questions to ask. However, if you want to get the best deal possible from your local NJ car dealer, there are things that should be learned before shaking hands and going in to fill out paperwork.

Once the price of the car is negotiated, consumers need to ask what the out-of-the-door price is. In other words, what fees are going to be tacked on to the price of the car, and what is it actually going to cost to leave with it? Sometimes, the fees can be so exorbitant that what seemed like a good deal really isn't.

As a part of this process, also make sure to find out what the documentation fee will be. This is a fee that every dealership charges to draft and sign the contract. Some may have a relatively low doc fee, but some NJ car dealers may have high doc fees reaching upward of $600.

It is also important to learn what aftermarket items, or dealer add-ons, have been installed on the car. These add-ons can hike the price of the car up quite a bit. If the vehicle has features that are not wanted or needed, buyers should ask to see a similar vehicle without the extras.

It's wise to learn the vehicle's mileage as well. Most people assume that a new car will have only a few miles on it. However, if the car has been driven between different car dealers or has been on a number of test drives, the miles could total a few hundred. If this is the case, the buyer should negotiate a lower price.

Finally, if, after all of this, the deal does not seem so sweet, buyers should ask to see another car. If they are told that the car can be had without extras or for a cheaper price, buyers should ask if the car is actually on the lot. If it isn't, the deal can change abruptly.

Of course, at Autoland, we are proud of our reputation as an up-front, affordable, and easy to work with car dealership. We vow to give our customers the best deals possible with no hidden fees or unexpected costs – it's other dealerships where you might run into these problems – but never hesitate to ask us questions and learn more about how we can help you get a great car at a great price.