What to do on Memorial Day?

With Memorial Day quickly approaching, we have many options we can choose to do. We all see the advertisements on TV and the internet promoting sales at different businesses and that presents a question. Do you travel, spend time at home with family, or head out to do some shopping?  Please choose one of the three categories and provide us with examples of what you choose to do.

 

Trading in Your Vehicle

Trading in Your Vehicle

 

March 27 2015    

This is a situation most vehicle owners will face at some point in time, but knowing when to make the trade can help owners feel at little more at ease about their decision. Here are some tips and guidelines about what you need to do, know and research before trading in your vehicle.

1. Determine your trade value – This will help set the perimeters in terms of what type vehicle you will be looking to trade for. We recommend bringing your vehicle in to your local dealership to receive a quote.
2. Equity – Do you have a small amount owing in your vehicle? If so, the money you will receive for your vehicle throughout the trade process could be added to your down payment.
3. Mechanical – With age, our vehicles start needing more and more maintenance. Pay close attention to how often and what type of issues (brakes, tires, etc.) you’re having with your current vehicle – it may be a sign that it is time to trade in for something newer. You will be saving money in the long run.
4. Time of the year – Typically, dealerships will have a blow-out sale to decrease existing inventory before the newer models arrive. Visit your nearest GM dealership today or visit our website www.waltmassey.com to check-out our inventory and promotions!
5. Age of vehicle – DoItYourself.com advises us that you will get the most “buck for your truck” if you trade it in before you hit 50,000 kilometers. However, between 30,000-40,000 kilometers is ideal to receive the optimum trade value.

Will I get more money selling my car private or trading it in at the dealership?

Determining whether to trade your car at a dealership or sell it privately is an important decision. Depending on the car in question, the difference in dollars you receive could be substantial.
Your first step should be to evaluate your current car situation. Ask yourself these questions.

• Do you owe money on your car?
• Is it a "desirable" model?
• What the condition of your car?

If you do owe money on your car, call your bank for a payoff amount. This number is going to play a huge role in your decision making process going forward.
The term "desirable" varies depending on the current market. For instance, when gas is expensive and the economic market is in a downturn, hybrid or economical cars are desirable and gas guzzlers such as a Hummer are not. However, a few years ago, large cars were moving off dealership lots steadily and buyers were willing to spend more for a larger car.
Next, look at your car with objective eyes. Take note of dents, scrapes, windshield dings, paint, and cleanliness. But also take a deeper look. When did you last service it? Are the tires in need of replacement? Does it make funny noises? How about the condition of the brakes? How many miles are on the car in relation to years? Do you have documentation for services and repairs you have done? Has it ever been in an accident? Be prepared to answer all these questions and more regardless of which way you decide to sell it.
Depending on the part of the country you live in, there are different value guides used by the automotive professionals. The most common are Kelly Blue Book, NADA and Black Book. The values you’ll find are not written in stone and certainly you know that the only way the car is worth what’s listed is if someone is willing to pay it.
If you owe money on your car and the amount you owe is more than the value you determined, that is most commonly called being "up side down". If you have the cash to make up the difference, then you are in the driver’s seat. If not, your decision whether to trade or sell privately really has just been made for you. The only way to make up the difference if you don’t have the cash is to trade the car and let the dealer add the negative equity to your next purchase. This isn’t the best scenario, but unfortunately very common.
On the other hand, if you have the cash or you have equity in your car, you may consider selling privately. It is possible to get more money for your car in a private party sale since you are taking the middle man (dealer) out of the equation. You do need to realize, however, that if faced with the exact same car, with the same price, a buyer is more likely to go to a dealer to purchase than to you.
Therefore, it needs to be beneficial to the buyer to buy from you. You could offer an extended warranty (you can buy it from a dealer or transfer your existing one), offer a great price, or even an incentive like a free gas card. You want to be priced at the lower end of your competition to get buyers interested in your car.
In addition, selling to a private party can be a hassle and downright dangerous. Be sure you are aware that strangers will be calling you at all times and coming to see your car. Have plenty of pictures and a great description of the car. It’s always an option to try to privately sell and if it’s not working out then you could decide to trade.
When trading your car in, you will probably get less for your car. The up side is that you won’t have to hassle with the selling process, go to DMV, get your car smog tested (if necessary), answer the phone and meet to negotiate with strangers.
Still undecided? Take your car to a couple of dealers and ask them what they would pay you for it. Go to dealerships that carry the brand you are selling. Also try the dealership where you want to purchase your new car. You will know after going to at least three what the average value to a dealer will be.
The bottom line is this: there is no right or wrong answer to the question of whether to sell privately or trade your car to a dealership. Making an informed decision is the key to making the right one.

Internet Radio

How long do you think it will take before CD player’s are obsolete in the future of automobiles?

 

Walt Massey Automotive and Pee Wee Football!

Walt Massey Automotive Kicks off the Season with the George County Pee Wee Football League

Walt Massey Automotive sponsors George County Pee Wee Football League and helps raise thousands of dollars with a vehicle giveaway.

Walt Massey Automotive of Lucedale is partnering with George County Pee Wee Football League to provide the league’s players and coaches with equipment, a monetary donation, and a chance to raise up to $10,000.

In support of Lucedale’s youth, Walt Massey Automotive will provide George County Pee Wee Football League with football kits which include equipment bags, footballs, water bottle carriers, yard marker set, helmet-sticker decals, and t-shirts.

Offering additional support to the community, George County Pee Wee Football League will have the opportunity to raise as much as $10,000 through fundraising efforts where one lucky patron in the Nation will win a new 2013 Buick or GMC vehicle (MSRP not to exceed $30,000). Walt Massey Automotive and other GMC dealerships across the Nation are donating the vehicle to the participating leagues. One second prize winner will be selected from the LMA-area to win a Gas Grill. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to the participating leagues, and they can use the funds in any way they choose.  Some of the leagues have reported they plan to grant scholarships to families who cannot afford to enroll their children in the league, while others have said they will use the funds to improve fields and equipment.

“GMC and youth football, It’s a great combination,” says Tom Wilder of Walt Massey Automotive. “We are proud to be able to help the kids in our community by donating equipment and giving them the opportunity to raise much needed funds for their league. We are excited to be part of the effort this year, and anticipate a fun-filled season of George County Pee Wee Football League football.”

Play Ball! Walt Massey Automotive Teams Up With Youth Baseball

Walt Massey Automotive Is Ready to Play Ball with George County Eastern Youth Baseball as Part of National Chevrolet Youth Baseball Program

Walt Massey Automotive to provide George County Eastern Youth Baseball with new equipment, monetary donation and instructional clinics

Lucedale, March 2, 2012- Walt Massey Automotive is partnering with the George County Eastern Youth Baseball in Lucedale. Walt Massey Automotive has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, a monetary donation and an opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 through a Chevrolet vehicle sweepstakes. The program kicks off March 1 and runs through July 15, 2012.

"Youth baseball provides positive and productive life lessons for young people across America, and the Chevrolet Youth Baseball program is an extension of Chevrolet's commitment to baseball, community and families. Walt Massey Automotive is bringing that same dedication to youth baseball,"said Tom Wilder, BDC Manager for Walt Massey Automotive.

"There is nothing more American than Chevrolet and baseball and Walt Massey Automotive wants to combine America's favorite brand and favorite pastime together for our families in Lucedale to enjoy," added Wilder.

The Chevrolet Youth Baseball program is beginning its seventh year, and has helped raise more than $13 million to aid local teams, affecting more than 2.7 million young people in communities where Chevrolet's customers live, work and play. This year, about 1,600 Chevrolet dealers are participating.

Walt Massey Automotive will present the George County Eastern Youth Baseball with 10 new equipment kits complete with equipment bags, baseball buckets, whiffle balls, hitting net, batting tees and Chevrolet Youth Baseball T-shirts. The sponsorship also includes youth clinics featuring former MLB/MiLB players and coaches and instructors from Ripken Baseball.

In addition, Walt Massey Automotive will present a check representing a one-time monetary donation to George County Eastern Youth Baseball. The team also will have an opportunity to raise additional funds through a Chevrolet Youth Baseball Fund-raiser. Sponsored leagues across the country will each receive 2,000 fund-raiser entry tickets to distribute for a suggested donation, and each league will keep 100 percent of the proceeds it raises. At the end of the fund-raiser, five winners - one from each region - will win the Chevrolet Equinox or Chevrolet Cruze vehicle of their choice. Each participating market will award a secondary prize of a television and Blu-Ray player.

In addition to its commitment to youth baseball, Chevrolet also is the Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball™.

"Chevrolet vehicles are designed and built for families, so we hope young people and their parents will consider a Chevrolet as an official vehicle of their household," said Wilder.

As part of Chevrolet's continued support of communities and youth baseball, Chevrolet is also bringing back Diamonds & Dreams for its third year.

Participants can enter to win a baseball field makeover for their community. Chevrolet will award 12 weekly field makeover prizes and the opportunity to win the Grand Prize of an all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The sweepstakes will begin in mid-April; visit chevybaseball.com for more information.

For more information about Chevrolet Youth Baseball, please visit www.youthsportswired.com.

About Walt Massey Automotive

Chevy Bang For Your Buck - Verified!

Chevy wins two Edmunds.com True Cost To Own Awards^®

To choose the winners of its 2011 True Cost to Own^® Awards², the team at Edmunds.com gathered data on every 2011 vehicle on the market and estimated the five-year cost of owning each. After comparing every vehicle, Chevrolet came out on top twice: The 2011 Equinox and the 2011 Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab pickup.

“The 2011 Chevy Equinox is a stylish and comfortable entry in the highly competitive small-crossover segment,” Edmunds.com says. “RAV4 and CR-V shoppers should take notice.” They also note Equinox’s “premium look inside and out,” quiet cabin with tons of storage, and highly fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine.

For the Silverado, Edmunds.com says: “Notably improved with added capability, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is an excellent choice for a heavy-duty truck.” Some of the highlighted features are “impressive hauling and towing capabilities; refined and quiet ride; solid build quality; responsive steering; comfortable seats.”

The True Cost to Own^® takes multiple factors into account. The Total Cash Price includes MSRP, typically equipped options, and other standard charges, taxes and fees. Depreciation is the amount by which the value of a vehicle declines from its purchase price to the estimated resale value. Insurance and financing are based on a well-qualified purchaser.

Importantly, the calculation also includes fuel, based on revised EPA ratings, assuming 45% highway and 55% city driving, and maintenance and repairs. Maintenance is the estimated expense of both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including replacing tires and other parts.

See the Equinox and Silverado... CLICK