2018 Best Cars for Summer

With the exception of an occasional cold day, the end of winter is in sight and the sun is finally peeking through the clouds! We’ve had a long, cold winter and now we can all look forward to hanging up our coats and unpacking our tees! This change in the weather brings big changes in our lifestyles too. More time outside, exercise, fresh air, and lots more fun are on tap for the coming months!

Spring is when it all begins again; beach trips, Saturdays in the park, boating, golfing, surfing… too many to list right? It’s easy to get excited about travel and vacationing this time of year. So, you and your family are ready, but what about the family ride? The right car is essential to enjoying the Spring and Summer. After all that time indoors, you’re planning on getting some distance between you and home! Yup, enjoying a good beach breeze and a drive along the coast in a cool convertible would be awesome. Check out this 2007 Ford Mustang in our inventory right now. What a great way to kick off Spring Break!

More like the Griswold family… Wally World? Spring Break is coming fast so check out this 2010 Chevy Traverse with plenty of legroom. It may be your best choice! There’s plenty of space for the kids, cargo, coolers and friends, including the four legged variety.

Spring is every weekend warrior’s favorite season. Whether it’s for work of play, something more functional with lots of space for equipment and tools is always great choice. Trucks like this Ford F450 or Ford F150  are ideal for tough jobs. This is the perfect time of year for catching up your home improvement list; could be fun with a new truck! Own a construction company and need more space? Check out this pristine extended cargo van and the cab forward box truck that has plenty of room for a growing business.

 

Top down tooling around or truck bed full of tools; embrace a new season with a new ride. Whatever your lifestyle, TM Auto has the right car for you! Experience stress free car buying with TM Auto’s Guaranteed Credit Approval, and cruise into summer 2018 in style! Email me at mike@tmautova.com or phone/ text me at 757-560-4252. Ask for Mike Love. I’m always happy to answer your questions get you in the car you want!  

To Grandmother’s House We Go

Travel In Comfort This Holiday Season

The autumn chill has settled and the leaves are changing, bright pops of reds and oranges along the highways. Holidays are just around the corner, and we can all look forward to spending time in our cars, whether it be a short trip to the grocery store for extra stuffing or a long drive to Grandma’s house. The journey is the destination, as they say, and it’s important to keep comfort in mind during these long hours in the car.

 

Of course, comfort means different things to different people. When you’re looking for a new vehicle, it’s important to keep your specific needs in mind. For example, if you’re headed across state lines with four kids and a dog in tow, your first concern is space and durability. Are you looking for an SUV or a minivan? Would you prefer easy to clean leather seats? Then again, if your family goes all out on decorations, you might consider something with room to store your lights, trees, and figurines, like a pickup truck. But what if you’re looking forward to a romantic holiday of two? Something smaller and sportier might suit your needs. You can keep costs down on your get-away by going for a fuel-efficient option, too.

With your specific needs in consideration, it’s time to narrow down what exactly you’re looking for in a car — and how much you can afford. Start by creating a checklist of features you prioritize in a vehicle and narrow down your options from there.

Some things to consider while creating this list might be:

  • Safety Features 
  • 4WD, All-Wheel Drive, 2WD
  • Wheel Base / Leg Room
  • Luxury / Comfort
  • Towing Capacity
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Reliability
  • Maintenance Costs
  • Price

 

Once you have your ‘Must Haves’ and a solid budget, it’s time to start looking at cars! Check out TM Auto’s inventory online, and feel free to call 757-560-4252 and ask for Mike Love. I’ll be happy to answer your questions and guide you through your next car purchase.  

The Big Gift

THE BIG GIFT!

Is this the year? You know… for your teen’s BIG GIFT! That long awaited iconic symbol of freedom, sovereignty, and coolness. The singular most important possession that let’s everyone, everywhere know with absolute certainty, “I’m officially grown up.” This gift of all gifts represents the next chapter in your child’s life as well as your trust in them. It is the time-honored ticket to ride, their first car!

Like all astute parents and shoppers, you have questions… lots of questions. At the top of the list may be whether to buy new, used, or to pass down the family car. Well, rest assured that new, used, big or small, it’s going to be a hit. Your decision ultimately comes down to what makes the most sense.

The obvious choice is simply to pass down the family car. It’s often paid for and thoroughly road tested. When it comes to repairs and safety, nothing provides more peace of mind than knowing your car’s service record. It’s also likely to generate lower insurance premiums. There are plenty of good reasons to pass down the family car however; there are some “Not so good reasons” too. It’s a good idea to consider modern safety features such as side-curtain airbags, blind-spot indicators, backup cameras, and forward- and rear- collision alerts which are all good for new drivers. Passing down the family car makes sense as long as it’s safe and reliable.

New cars are also a strong consideration. The most up-to-date safety features and technology often come standard. Those with a good reliability record will need few or no repairs for at least the first three years of ownership. This means peace of mind, less headaches, and little or no maintenance costs. A new car is an easy sell as long as cost is not high on your list of concerns.  

Used cars are also a great choice. Affordable (not cheap) used automobiles are often the best way to go for teens and parents shopping for a starter vehicle. Buying the newest used car possible will likely get you the most up-to-date safety features available for your money. This is very important for novice drivers. By adding a few dollars for a good reliability record, you’ll have less repair costs and greater peace of mind. Check the CARFAX before buying to see it’s history. Small sedans and hatchbacks from mainstream brands, or even better, midsized sedans are great choices for fuel economy and lower insurance premiums.

This opportunity comes but once in a lifetime folks. Buy smart, enjoy the moment, and have a wonderful holiday! Find more articles on ASK MIKE’S blog here at www.tmautova.com and please share! Feel free to call or text (757) 560-4252 and ask for Mike Love. I’ll be happy to answer your questions and assist you with purchasing your next car, truck, or SUV.