What To Expect When Buying A Car

Everything around us has changed, so why is car buying stuck in the dark ages? Reduce the time it takes for the final sale.

TM Auto Wholesalers makes it easy.

“How long is this going to take? No I don’t need that… How much for what protection, isn’t that under my warranty? You said one hour… that was two hours ago!” 

Sound familiar? It’s what most people expect when buying a car. We let it slide as first time car buyers, with less on our plate, and no technology, but that’s not now! The fact is we shouldn’t have to suffer through hours of paperwork and interrogation to purchase an automobile, but we expect it and slog through it with every purchase. So what should we expect?   

 

Let’s begin by examining what is actually needed from TM Auto to complete your next car purchase. Assuming you’ve already made your choice, have no further questions about your car, and are ready to finalize the deal. Start your stopwatch… write check, hand check to me, get keys! 

 

GONE IN 60 SECONDS! Seriously, that’s it, so why has that never happened? Well, it does if you purchase a car, SUV or truck from TM Auto, always. Well maybe not always but even when financing is tricky you’re driving in a fraction of the time. What’s the catch? No catch, just the right way to sell a car. Everything around us has changed, so why is car buying stuck in the dark ages? Like everything else in our lives this process can also be uncomplicated and fast if you’re on your game. The key to a smooth, fast, enjoyable car buying experience is preparation! Knowing what is needed, getting it fast, and communicating with customers. Reducing the time it takes for the final sale!

 

What to expect from a typical TM Auto sale start to finish, expect some extra steps for out of state purchases: 

 

CHOOSE YOUR NEXT CAR FROM THE TM AUTO WEBSITE

CLICK “RESERVE IT NOW”  – BUTTON ON OUR WEBSITE TO RESERVE ANY AUTOMOBILE

TEXT AN IMAGE OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE & PROOF OF INSURANCE ON THE CAR YOU’VE CHOSEN

I’LL TAKE CARE OF DMV

PERSONAL CHECK IS FINE

 

5 star reviews from TM Auto satisfied customers – see all reviews

 5/5/2021 FIVE STARS! Very smooth and easy transaction. Mike was great to work with — he did a video walk through with me and answered all my questions on a video call. I flew into Norfolk from South Carolina and Mike picked me up at the airport in the truck I was purchasing. We drove to his office to complete the transaction. I was on the road home in less than an hour. My son loves his new truck. Highly recommend. ~ Steve Sercy

11/23/2020 FIVE STARS! Thanks Mike for making this little lady very happy. Seamless transaction . Everything went perfectly. You are the car guy for us forever!! Professionalism in a crazy world is a rare commodity. You sir are extraordinary. Everything was ready to go upon our arrival and paperwork was perfect for DMV. Thank you for making this so easy. We highly recommend TM Auto to everyone. 

5/5/2020 FIVE STARS! By far the easiest car buying experience I have ever had! I told Mike what I was looking for and the first car he showed me was a perfect fit. There was no difficult or painful negotiation and I never felt any pressure to buy. He also took care of all the DMV paper work and then put the license plates on for me. My wife is happy to have transportation again and even happier with the vehicle he suggested. I can not imagine buying another car from anywhere else. ~Michael Gibson

 

 

Have questions? I’m all ears! Let’s answer those ahead of time so you can have the car and buying experience that you deserve. Call (757) 567-4252 and ask for Mike Love with TM Auto, home of THE EASY CAR BUYING EXPERIENCE.

 

Star Trek to Standard Equipment

Automobile Technology changes the way we drive & survive in Hampton Roads

Automobile technology is amazing, right! Do we take it for granted? When you consider that New York was the first state to pass a law, which required vehicle occupants to wear seat belts in 1984, yes we do! What was once space technology has become standard in many of today’s base models. Some of these advances are clearly for our comfort, but others are vital for our safety and the safety of our cars. Unbelievably the 2018 Toyota Camry has forward-collision warning, automatic forward braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a rearview camera and automatic high beams standard! Here’s what you can expect in the way of tech features on new and used cars today.

AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES

 

Front and Rear Park Assist: Active safety technology on the Chevrolet Suburban helps the driver park their vehicle and avoid crashing into nearby objects during low-speed vehicle maneuvering when driving forward or backing.

 

Rear Camera: You may not know that the first rear view camera was introduced in 1956! A bit bulky with a TV in the dashboard for viewing, but still! Backup cameras have become standard in many cars today like the 2013 Toyota Avalon and 2015 Ford Focus. The 360-Degree parking camera normally reserved for high-end luxury models is also available on a few affordable models like the 2016 Nissan Rogue.

 

Rear Cross Traffic Alert: The Chevrolet Suburban also has a system that monitors two areas behind you for vehicles approaching from the right or left. Rear cross traffic alert is active once the vehicle is shifted into REVERSE. When backing, you will receive a visual or auditory warning if an approaching vehicle enters the rear cross traffic alert detection areas.

 

Lane Keep Assist: In addition to lane-departure warning system, the lane-keep assist actively steers a car back into its lane if it detects that the car is starting to drift out. This technology generally offered on high-end luxury cars; is included in the Tech package and Ultimate package of the 2017 Hyundai Elantra.

 

Adaptive Cruise Control: is a feature that automatically slows down or speeds up your car to keep  you a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

Blind Spot warning System: The Chevrolet Suburban also features a blind spot warning system can “see” what the driver cannot and issue a visual or audible warning if it is unsafe to make a lane change

 

NEW TECHNOLOGY SAFETY SYSTEMS

  • Pothole Protection: This feature is available on the 2018 Ford Fusion V6 Sport. When the system detects one wheel, dropping into a hole in automatically adjusts the shock absorber to minimize the impact. This not only creates a smoother ride but can protect your car from damage and from an accident or blowout.  
  • Automatic Reverse Emergency Braking: You probably know about forward emergency braking. The 2018 Subaru Legacy has a system that works in tandem with rearward monitoring alerts and will automatically apply the car’s brakes to avoid a rear collision.
  • Intelligent Forward Collision Warning: The system available on the Nissan Altima for 2019 not only monitors the car in front of you, it also monitors the cars in front of the car in front of you!
  • Automated Parallel-Parking Systems:  This is available on vehicles as affordable as the Chrysler 200 midsize sedan. These systems can steer for you! Just shift and control braking until your car is parked.
  • Evasion Aid: The forward-facing camera detects a potential impact situation, and the driver begins to make an emergency-steering maneuver, the Evasion Aid can help guide the automobile safely into one of those spaces. Evasion Aid is available on the 2018 BMW 5 Series.

 

SAFETY FEATURES FOR EVERYONE

It’s vital that you purchase the safest car possible within your budget. Here are www.autobytel.com’s list of very important safety features to look for in your next automobile.

  • Strong Crash Test Ratings
  • LATCH Anchors – know how to use LATCH and to make sure the straps used with the metal anchors are fastened as tight as possible.
  • Stability Control – different from traction control, Stability control helps to keep a vehicle under control if it skids or slides.
  • Reverse Camera
  • Blind Spot Warning System (See Inventory)
  • Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Braking – the vehicle can determine situations in which your car may collide with traffic ahead, sound an audible and visual alert of some kind, and if you fail to respond can automatically apply the brakes.
  • Emergency Response and Rescue Service
  • Programmable Safety Features – programmable features that are designed to help monitor your child’s driving and report back to Mom and Dad about inappropriate use of the vehicle.
  • A Safe Driver – No substitute for this one!

This is just a sampling of the safety features available to us due to recent technology advances. Take time to research the car that you plan to buy and see what if offers; if you’d like more options, call or text (757) 560-4252 and ask for Mike Love. I can help you find the vehicle that you want with the features that you need!

Follow TM Auto on Facebook for inventory updates! NEXT MONTH – Automobile Tech Luxury

 

Sources:

https://www.autobytel.com/car-buying-guides/features/10-cars-with-the-best-safety-features-132646/

 

https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/7-advanced-safety-features-you-can-get-not-so-expe-254180

 

Oh the places you will go!

Finally! The sun is out, and the road to Summer vacation is calling your name. It’s time for a brand new adventure. A weekend in the woods, a day at the beach, a cross-country road trip or just a trip to the store can be exciting with the right set of wheels. 

 

The Road is Calling Your Name

 

A weekend drive along the coast with the top down could be an epic experience in a sporty BMW Z-4 convertible or 427 Ford Mustang Convertible or the more adventurous 4dr Jeep Grand Cherokee with climbing power, just depends on your cargo! Your kids and your family dog may squeeze into your current mode of transportation, but if you’re serious about beaching it, you need more.

 

It’s no news that these cars are ideal for summer travel, highlights to seal the deal for die-hard DRIVERS.

 

*Four-wheel-drive jeeps provide total beach access to FUN!

*Going topless, there’s nothing quite like it in a Jeep OR Sports Car

*Only enough room for two in your sports car, this is a good thing!

*Jeep Cherokee offers the advantages of an ultimate adventure mobile with added luxury for long trips 

*Most jeeps have a reasonably low base price so a used Jeep Wrangler or even a Rubicon are feasible options!

*If you’ve never driven a convertible classic like the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro then call me, it’s an experience everyone should have 

*5-6 speed manual transmission puts you in control of every peak and valley

*Sunroof and T-tops are standard options, awesome for sunny days and starry nights

*Bose, Infinity, & Blauplunkt sound systems are the norm, a necessity for cruising

*Most handle athletically for speedy turns, yet have comfortable interiors for long trips

*All the luxury options that you want, AC and power everything are usually standard

 

A weekend jaunt to the woods with all your gear begs for a roomy Ford Explorer or if you need more cargo room AND four doors then this loaded 2012 Ford F-150 will do the job perfectly! A few hours in most cars are doable, but for a family excursion along the coast or to the mountains, your time at the wheel is much more of a consideration. Make it count from driveway to journey’s end.

Road hugging, sporty, and fast or off-road adventurous driving, these vehicles welcome the challenge. Two door coupes and convertibles or four door, four wheel drive SUVs and trucks, fun awaits!

 

Think About Which Car is Right for YOU

You may not always have the need for speed and adventure but when you do… nothing satisfies better than putting some distance between you and home. See TM Auto’s inventory

Wherever the journey takes you, make every mile a memory. Your journey begins and ends with transportation and your ride can make or break the experience. Buy your vehicle with your journey in mind and you’ll never regret it. Sure, we all have a need for our daily driver, a trusty shuttle is essential. However, traveling in these can be great or not so great, depending on where you’re going and who’s tagging along. When selecting your car, it’s smart to look at the bigger picture. Whether you’re planning a perfect family beach day or a weekend camping trip, how you get to the promised land is important. Having the right vehicle for the occasion is vital so the journey is as memorable as the destination itself.

Every family, big and small, has different needs. There are plenty of makes and models to go around and one to fit every lifestyle and budget. Whatever your adventure and whichever vehicle you prefer, let me help you get there!  Please browse my website and See TM Auto’s Inventory. Choose from a wide variety of used vehicles.

If you don’t see what you’re looking for, I can find it for you! I’m always available to answer your questions, feel free to text or call (757) 560-4252 and ask for Mike Love.

On The Road… To Health & Fitness

With the sun shining and temperatures rising, more and more people are gearing up for outdoor adventures throughout Hampton Roads. Outdoor activities can spark your fitness life and do wonders for our health! So how do you keep your health and fitness fun?

Make It an Adventure

The Road to Health & FitnessTraveling to new places taps into our adventurous side, adding variety and interest to our active lifestyles. Keep changing up your exercises and activities and you’ll never get bored! It’s simple, just pack up the truck and head out to enjoy one of the dozens of hiking opportunities offered in Hampton Roads. Take Fido and your friends to add a little spontaneity and you’re off! Hampton Roads is also home to Virginia Beach and Sandbridge Beach; a couple five star spots with good surf, paddle-boarding, and a thriving boating community for those who are more at home in the water than next to it. Virginia Beach has an obstacle course in the trees and a beach conditioning facility on the sand. Sandbridge also has playgrounds and fishing and leans towards the back to nature side of fitness, with such spots as Back Bay Wildlife Refuge & False Cape State Park.

Whether you want to venture through tree lined paths and sandy dunes or catch a few waves, a healthy adventure is only a short drive away. TM Auto has your vehicle!

 

  1. Click to see – Small SUV
  2. Click to see – Full Size SUV
  3. Click to See – JEEP 

 

Fresh & Fun

Exercise is king, but health and fitness doesn’t stop there! Enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables instead of prepared or processed foods are one of the most important steps to staying fit. Luckily, for us, Hampton Roads is home to a wide variety of farmer’s markets and farm fields that are open to the public; just park and pick!

You Pick Farms Hampton RoadsFarmer’s markets stretch all across Hampton Roads, over a dozen all together. The experience of hand picking fresh fruits and vegetables ignites the back to basics side of us. It sets the tone for our entire summer! All across Hampton Roads are U-Pick Farms where you can grab a basket and harvest as many fruits and vegetables as you can carry. Check out the links below to find a close farmer’s market or u-pick farm and the TM Auto vehicle for the trip!

 

 

 

Farmer’s Market Guide http://hamptonroadsguide.blogspot.com/p/farmers-markets.html#.WRdL4IjytEY

U-Pick Farm Guide http://www.pickyourown.org/VAsoutheast.htm 

 

How to Get There

Every adventurer needs reliable transportation! TM Auto has a vehicle for every purpose to suit every lifestyle and budget. Please browse my website and See TM Auto’s Inventory. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, I can find it for you!

I’m always available to answer your questions, feel free to text or call (757) 560-4252 and ask for Mike Love.

Get out, get active, and have a great summer!

Every Car Has A Soul

Automobiles & Memories

In this age of throwaways, we sometimes take our automobile’s reliability — as well as its history with us, for granted. In many cases, it has delivered us safely to and from our destinations for years. Instead of “used” cars we might say, “loved” cars… as in family. Every car and car owner has a story to tell…

You walk on the lot and discover the most awesome car ever. Shiny and new-to-you, there’s nothing but a blank slate waiting to be filled as you pull off the lot. Work truck, SUV, 2 doors or 4, it makes no difference, it’s perfect for you and your friends.

First night with your new car, you take all of your friends on a long drive down the coast, windows down, music blowing with the breeze. The next morning on your drive to work, in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you smile thinking of your best friend butchering the lyrics of your favorite song.

A few years down the road, there’s a newborn in the back seat and you’re holding your best friend’s hand across the console, matching rings on your fingers. You drive ten miles under the speed limit and can’t stop looking in the rear-view at the bundle of blankets and tuft of hair in the baby seat behind you. Two weeks later, cleaning up a bottle of spilled milk in the back, you smile thinking of the love of your life taking two dozen pictures of Baby’s First Car Ride.

3 months later, you finally get a day off and head to the lake with a handful of friends. A cooler full of ice rattles in the trunk next to a stack of fishing poles. On the way home, you can’t stop laughing because one of your buds fell in the lake and has to ride back in nothing but a towel.

Beach trips, doctor’s visits, birthday parties, and picnics… they all change a car from a bunch of metal, wires and plastic to a collector of memories. Almost every adventure you’ve been on started with you buckled in and heading down the highway. It is these memories and the people you shared them with that give your car its soul.

Picking out the perfect car is important… like family. I’ll work hard to make your car buying experience enjoyable and fulfilling, ensuring your peace of mind from start to finish, guaranteed satisfaction. Let’s get you the perfect car to fill with memories of your own. See TM Auto’s Inventory

I’m always available to answer your questions, feel free to text or call (757) 560-4252 and ask for Mike Love.

 

Spring & Summer Vehicles

What Car is Best for Your Next Adventure?

When it comes to spring and summer travel, it’s all about fun. The question then becomes what type of travel is fun for you. Sitting high above the road, truck bed full of tents and fishing poles? A Jeep, rough and ready for adventure or something a little bit bigger, with plenty of room for your kids, friends, snacks, and whatever else your spring and summer road trips require?

 

Trucks

Windows down and radio up, a pickup truck is every outdoors-man’s best friend. Whether you’re hauling camping gear or an arsenal of tools for summer renovations, this vehicle offers all the space and power you need. The two pick-ups in my inventory are ready to help you tackle your next project and, when the job is finished, carry you to the lake to relax.

2005 Toyota Tundra

2008 Ford F 150

 

Jeeps

Maybe you’re looking for something with more of an edge? Adventure and Jeeps go hand-in-hand. Whether you’re trekking down the beaches of Carova and Oregon Inlet, flying down a highway or jumping and jostling across muddy hills, a Jeep with the top down can make any driver excited. I currently have two beautiful Wranglers in stock just itching to get some mud on their tires.

2007 Jeep Wrangler

2010 Jeep Wrangler

 

SUVs

For those looking to go on an adventure with their buds, an SUV is the perfect choice. With plenty of space for friends, family, and even four-legged compadres, SUVs are spacious enough for a family trip to the beach or a friendly road trip down the coast. With six different SUVs in stock, I have plenty of options!

 

Whether you’re looking for style or space, TM Auto Wholesalers specializes in “The stress free car buying experience” with Guaranteed Credit Approval. A purchase from my inventory can help you establish or repair your credit while saving you cash for spring and summer fun! Feel free to contact me online at mike@tmautova.com, or by phone or text at 757-560-4252. Ask for Mike Love. Here’s to your next great adventure!

 

The easiest car buying experience ever!

tm-auto-easy-car-buying

“Darren from Indianapolis” with his trade in and newly purchased 1993 Fox Body Mustang*

Purchasing an automobile is a big decision, and an exciting one too, but it can also be intimidating and confusing. A hassle free, enjoyable car buying experience is a welcome relief and gives customers the confidence to call back with questions and even send referrals to their family and friends. Being an independent used-car dealer for over 10 years I’ve learned that satisfied customers return. Building a trusting bond helps restore people’s faith in buying pre-owned automobiles. The used car business requires a fresh approach and that’s exactly what has made TM Auto successful.

As a Director on the Board of the Chesapeake Rotary Club, I strive to align my actions as a car-dealer with the Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self.” By elevating customer service to include pre-sale research, I’m able to help my customers determine exactly what kind of car within their price range suits them,as well as what type of financing will work best for their budget. Consulting is an important part of my customer service. With every purchase I provide a Carfax, state inspection, tags and title transfer, detailing, and in most cases delivery to our client’s front door.

“Mike makes buying a car as simple as we all wish it could be. He brought the car to me to look at first and for the purchase.” – Proud owner of a new-to-them Highlander

“Great guy! Not your usual car salesman.” – Cindy

“Mike made what I thought would be a annoying experience, into a very enjoyable one.” – Cody

*A recent customer traveled from Indianapolis to purchase a 1993 Fox Body Mustang. I asked what persuaded him to trek 800 miles to TM Auto Wholesalers, he replied, “I knew after talking with you over email, reading reviews of other out of town customers, and by you making sure I knew exactly what I was purchasing before I ever left IN. All of this reassured me that I found the right car dealer”

I’m always excited to have happy customers. Building long lasting relationships keeps our business growing; it’s what I value most. So when making the decision where to purchase your next used vehicle I hope you’ll remember to look at how the dealership treats its customers. Read their online reviews. If the customer service isn’t great, keep looking.
Mike Love ~ TM Auto Wholesalers