Your car needs a drink too!

As I type this I am drinking a bottle of water. I need water (fluids) to stay hydrated and work my best. All people need this. Cars are like us humans because they need to maintain the proper fluid levels.

The most obvious fluid you should have changed regularly is your engine oil. That is the lifeblood of your car. Others fluids to change include transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, differential fluid, and antifreeze/coolant. These other fluids don’t need changed nearly as often as your oil but it is a good idea to have your mechanic check them regularly. 

HELP WANTED: Automotive Sales Consultant

One of our sales consultants is retiring which means we are looking to hire a sales consultant. We are entering the busiest time of the year for our dealership so it is important that we fill this spot as soon as possible. If you are interested please read below for more info. 

You’re Responsibilities:

-         Create and maintain excellent relationships with customers

-         Learn and maintain in depth knowledge of a variety of makes and models

-         Learn and maintain in depth knowledge of our inventory

-         Demonstrate Our Vehicles

-         Follow up with sold and unsold customers

-         Work with sales and finance managers to ensure that goals are being achieved

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Other Characteristics:

-         Knowledge of automobiles.

-         Knowledge of sales and marketing. Knowledge of showing and promoting products.

-         Speaking Skills. Talking to others effectively.

-         Listening Skills. Giving full attention and understanding what others are saying.  

-         Basic Computer Skills

-         Ability to build rapport

-         You must be honest, persistent, and enthusiastic.

What We Offer You:

-         Weekly paycheck plus commission

-         5 Day Work Week

-         Flexible Work Schedule

-         Laid Back Work Environment

-         Health Insurance

-         Demo Program

-         Paid Vacation

Sales experience is a plus but not required. We are a drug free work environment. You must have a professional appearance. Valid driver’s license and strong attendance history is required.

To apply, stop in our showroom located at:

603 N 13 St (US 27)
Decatur IN 46733

Talk to Brian or Dan.

2011 Chevrolet Impala LT

We just got this 2011 Chevrolet Impala LT in this week! It only has 4,500 miles on it. It is loaded out with leather, heated seats, on-star, home link, bose sound system, and so much more!

Buying this Impala would be a much better decision than buying one brand new. The MSRP on this car brand new is over $27,000. We are asking $19,495. This saves you thousands. You still get a car that has hardly been driven, still in excellent condition, smells like new, and cheaper on insurance. It just makes sense to buy this one over a brand new one.

We have 2 car dealerships located just south of Fort Wayne Indiana. One showroom is on US 27 and the other is on US 224. So call us at 260-724-2210.

Introducing Dean Lloyd

Omniscient is defined by Dictionary.com as "having infinite knowledge or understanding". Dean is like that. He knows a little something about everything. With 30+ years in the automotive industry he has acquired a lot of knowledge and can answer just about any car question you can think of. Since some of the office equipment has a bad habit of breaking down he has become pretty good at office equipment repair too! :)

Here at Custom Car Care Dean is the sales manager of the US 224 showroom. He stays busy with so many customers and other adminstrative duties. A lot of customers love the window stickers that are in most of our vehicles and they have Dean to thank for that! He spends a lot of time on those window stickers!

Dean lives near Bluffton with his wife and two kids. He works a lot of hours but when he isn't working he spends time with his family.

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

We have a 2009 Toyota Camry hybrid. With gas prices sky high hybrid cars are in high demand. This Camry is rated to get 33 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway. That is outstanding fuel economy that will limit the hurt of high prices at the pump.

The Camry is powered by the 2.4L I4. This is one of the most reliable engines out there. You can drive this Camry with the peace of mind knowing that you won’t have constant problems and high repairs.

For 13 of the last 14 years the Toyota Camry has been the best selling car in America. That is due to the quality and reliability of the Camry. You can buy this knowing you are getting a quality car.

We are one of the premier car dealerships in the Fort Wayne area. We are just a half hour south of Fort Wayne on US 27 and have another showroom just around the corner on US 224. Stop on in and take this Camry out on a test drive! 

 

Car Seats Contain Toxic Chemicals?

Healthystuff,org recently conducted a study on child car seats. They found that over half of all child car seats contain toxic chemicals. The chemicals include lead and chlorine among others.

The good thing is that car seats have improved an average of 64% since 2008. To see a list of best and worst car seats click here.

Meet Mike Rose

We are excited to introduce Mike Rose to our sales staff! Mike started back here this past April. He has worked here before and it’s great having him back!

Mike has been in the automotive industry nearly his whole life. He has worked for several different dealerships and held just about every position within a dealership. He has worked as a service writer, finance manager, and sales consultant.  

Mike stays very busy working so many hours but he always makes time for his family. He has a daughter in college and another daughter recently got married. 

Is this the future? Walgreens will install electric car charging stations at over 800 locations

Walgreens has announced they will have electric car charging stations installed in over 800 locations throughout the US. They have already begun to install these stations in Chicago and Texas. They will also install them in large metropolitan cities like Boston, LA, New York, and Washington D.C. among others.

The price to use the charging stations will depend on the location’s cost of electricity.

Is this a glimpse into the future? Will other retailers, such as Wal Mart, install electric car chargers too? Time will tell.

New government regulations means automakers must improve their fleet fuel economy average to about 34 MPG by 2016 and nearly 55 MPG by 2025. Electric motors will be a big part of automakers achieving such high MPG numbers.

Electric cars are starting to be introduced by automakers. Nissan introduced the all electric Leaf for 2011 and GM introduced the Chevrolet Volt, a plug in hybrid. Ford will soon release a electric version of the re-designed Ford Focus and the Ford C-Max, a hybrid/plug in hybrid hatchback. Toyota announced more versions of the Prius hybrid car that will include a plug in version of it.

Who knows how long before they come to Decatur or the Fort Wayne area in general? Before you know it we will have some electric cars on our lot at Custom Car Care and lots of retail stores like Walgreens will have charging stations. 

How to Keep Your Car Cool in Hot Weather

With the temperature reaching well over 90 degrees people want to know how to keep their vehicle cool. We put together a short list of ideas.

Try and keep your car in the shade. This sounds like a no brainer but a lot of people forget about it.

Cover your windows. Some people use windshield shades. You can find these at any local auto parts store. They go directly over the windshield and if you use one you should be parked facing the sun. It is really a good idea to cover all of your windows though. You can’t have to use an actual windshield shade. A white towel would work too.

Crack your windows a little. Letting a little air in the car would allow for some heat to get out. If you have remote start you can even start your car (with the A/C on) before you get in. A lot of people only think to use their remote start in the winter but it is nice to use in the summer too.

If you want to spend a little money you can tint your windows too. This will help cool the temperature of your vehicle too. 

Customer Service Complaints from Car Buyers

Customer service is important to your organization’s success; it doesn’t what where you work. CarGurus released a study regarding consumer’s top 5 complaints when it comes to car dealers.

#1 No response. Customers call or emails regarding a vehicle or issue but never hear back from the dealer.

#2 Bait and switch. This has been used by a lot of car dealers for years. The dealer advertises what seems like the perfect car and the right price only when you inquire about the car it has “just been sold”. It’s important to remember that sometimes if a dealer says that a car you are looking at has “just been sold” it might be true.

#3 Inconsistent communication. This happen consumers work with multiple employees at a dealership especially from different departments.

#4 Employee’s attitudes. No one wants to buy a car from someone who is rude or arrogant. It makes it even worse when they try and pressure customers into buying on the spot. People just want to be treated with respect and honesty.

#5 Wasted time. The worst is when someone drives to the dealership from a distance but the car they come to see is not available. Customers don’t like to wait in general. It doesn’t matter if you are in the checkout line at Wal Mart, having dinner at Pizza Hut, or buying a vehicle. No one likes the feeling of their time being wasted.

No More Spare Tire

For years a spare tire has been standard for all vehicles. A lot of people wont buy a vehicle unless it has a good spare tire. That will have to change.

Automakers are scrambling to improve fuel economy in order to meet new government regulations. One way they are doing this is getting rid of the spare tire and replacing it with a flat-fixing kit. This reduces the weight of the vehicle which improves fuel economy.

The no spare tire is a negative for many consumers. There are some bright spots besides better fuel economy though. The improvement in technology has decreased the chance of getting a flat tire in the first place. Another positive is roadside assistance. A lot of people have roadside assistance in some form which decreases the need for them to have a spare tire.

If having a spare tire is important for you to have you don't want to assume the next vehicle you buy will have one. If it is not important to you to have a spare tire you might want to consider taking the spare tire out of your vehicle and buying a flat-fixing kit.

Keep Track Of Your Fuel Economy

The average household will spend $700 more on gasoline this year then they did last year. Everyone wants to get the most miles per gallon out of their car. Few people know how to do this though.

The first step is to keep track of your miles per gallon. Data is used to keep track of performance in business, sports, etc. The key to keeping track of this data is being organized. People report that they see an improvement in their fuel economy just by keeping track of it and being aware of what it is.

FuelClinic.com allows you to be organized. It’s free to sign up and it will calculate your miles per gallon. You can read more about how it works here.

Saudi Prince doesn’t like the thought of alternative fuels

The 26^th richest man in the world doesn’t like the thought of alternative fuels. Saudi Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal said in an interview with CNN that he hopes that lower fuel prices will prevent America (along with other countries) from moving forward with alternative fuel vehicles.

Automaker’s fleet must reach an average of 35 MPG by 2016. The Obama Administration wants to raise that from 35 to anywhere from 47 to 62 MPG by 2025. Plus they are pushing the automakers to develop all electric cars. Nissan released the Leaf this year and Ford will offer an all-electric version of the Focus by the end of this year.

Bin Talal said he would like to see a barrel of oil between $70-$80 instead of the current price of over $100.  

Attention Prius Owners!

The Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient car in America at over 50 MPG. It first went on sale in 2000. Toyota sold less than 6,000 Prius hybrid in the first year but sales have risen and they have been selling over 100,000 Prius hybrids annually. Toyota recently sold the 1 millionth Prius in the United States.

Toyota is celebrating the milestone of 1 million Prius sold in the United States by giving away "Prius Goes Platinum" badges to Prius owners. The first 1,000 Prius owners will get a custom-molded, adhesive-backed badge. The next 10,000 will get their badge in sticker form with the rest getting their badge digitally.

If you are a Prius owner you can get your badge by clicking here!

60+ MPG by 2025?

The high price of gas is hurting many Americans and businesses. Improving fuel efficiency has become a priority for those throughout the automotive industry. There are multiple cars available today that get 40MPG or better. All electric vehicles are also starting to roll out.

Even with all this improvement does the government need to set MPG standard for automotive manufacturers? 35 MPG is required by 2016 but there is now a proposal for over 60 MPG by 2025!

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is asking the government to look at the impact 60+ MPG would have before making a decision. This could increase the cost of a new vehicle as well as eliminate jobs.

Go Kart Books

Brian Martin is the general manager here at Custom Car Care. He has been involved with cars all of his life and it all started with him and his dad building and racing go karts on the weekends. Over the years his dad noticed that less and less people were showing up to race each weekend. He figured it was just because few people knew how to build and race go karts. So he decided to write a series of books and founded Martin Motorsports to publish the books.

As a tribute to his father, Brian created http://www.gokartbooks.com/. The site is currently a work in progress but you can order several books (only $5.95 each!!!) including Competitive Karting, Go Kart Racing – Just For Kids, Go Kart Racing – Tools & Tips, Go Kart Racing – Chassis Setup, and 4-Cycle Kart Engines. Best part of all is FREE SHIPPING on all the books!

If you need a hobby this might be what you are looking for. If you have children this is something you can do with them just like Brian’s father did with him.  Brian is in the process of adding more content to the site.

Jalen Rose to Auction off 1969 Dodge Charger General Lee

Attention Duke of Hazzard fans! Former Indiana Pacer (and Michigan Wolverine) Jalen Rose has decided to auction off his 1969 Dodge Charger General Lee. The money will be donated to the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in Detroit. It’s a preparatory school for high school students.

This is not some replica of a car used in the Dukes of Hazard. It’s an actual car they used to film the show and is one of the few left. Jalen Rose and John Schneider (Bo Duke) autographed the car.

Jalen did make a couple changes to the car. He changed the numbers on the door to “05” (Jalen’s jersey number) and removed the Confederate flag from the roof.

The auction starts on May 23^rd with an opening bid of $45,000. To read more about this and to preview the auction click here.

2010 Ford Fusions

Check out our video on the 2010 Ford Fusions we have in stock!

Worst Drivers Ever

Found this to be very entertaining. Enjoy!

Avoid Odometer Rollback

A lot of people think that odometer rollback fraud is a thing of the past but it is not. There were 450,000 reported cases of odometer rollback fraud costing consumers over $1 billion according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of course, that 450,000 doesn't include the number of cases unreported.

Even the digital odometers that cars use today can be switched. A lot of consumers believe that it can’t be done or that it is very difficult to do. It can and is being done though. 

When buying a vehicle there are some things that you can do to protect yourself from being a victim of this crime. First, ask for a vehicle history report. We offer an Auto Check here at Custom Car Care. They check for odometer rollback. You can also look at a Car Fax and get the same information. 

Look over the car. Is the wear and tear consistent with the miles? Granted this is not guaranteed to tell you if the odometer is rolled back it will give you a good idea. It’s also a great idea to have a 3^rd party mechanic you trust look over the vehicle you are considering purchasing.

We hope that you don’t fall victim to this crime. Safe shopping to all!

Indiana Bans Texting While Driving

The Indiana Senate voted 26-24 last Friday to ban texting while driving. Making cell phone calls while driving is still legal. Drivers who violate the texting ban can face a fine up to $500.

One question that remains on everyone’s mind is how will this law be enforced? How will a police officer know if someone is texting or messing with their radio?

A lot of states have put texting while driving bans into place. The Highway Loss Data Institute released a study reporting that laws banning texting while driving do not reduce accidents caused by texting. The research was done on California, Minnesota, Washington, and Louisiana right before and right after they put laws into place banning texting while driving. The study is not suggesting that texting while driving is safe (it is not!!!) but they are reporting that laws do not decrease the amount of people texting while driving.

Regardless of what the laws are we hope that people avoid texting while driving along with all other distractions.

Revenge of the Electric Car

Fuel efficiency has been a hot topic over the last 10 years as gas prices have consistently been rising. President Obama has a goal for 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2016.

There was a film recently released, titled “The Revenge of the Electric Car”. It is a documentary of Nissan, Chevrolet, and Telsa automotive manufacturer and their development of their electric cars.

Electric cars have come a long way over the years. They are more than just golf carts. Nissan and Chevrolet have recently entered the game of offering electric vehicles. Nissan recently introduced it’s electric car the Nissan Leaf. The Leaf can go around 70 miles on a single charge. Chevrolet introduced the Volt which has a electric motor and gasoline powered motor. The electric battery is good for 35-40 miles before the gasoline engine kicks in which gets around 35 miles per gallon. The average driver goes 1,000 miles before they have to fill up the gas tank.

Telsa Motors was found in 2004. It is an electric car manufacturer. They first started producing all electric sports cars but are set to launch an all electric sedan. Their CEO is Elon Musk (one of the founders of PayPal). Telsa Motors recently signed a partnership with Toyota and will be producing the electric engine for the new all electric Toyota RAV4.

Check out the movie’s website: http://www.revengeoftheelectriccar.com/index.html

There was a DVD released in 2006 titled “Who Killed the Electric Car?” This is a documentary about the end of electric car development in the late 90s and early 2000s. You can purchase “Who Killed the Electric Car?” on DVD through Amazon.com for $11.99. http://www.amazon.com/Who-Killed-Electric-Martin-Sheen/dp/B000I5Y8FU/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1303742088&sr=1-1

Bluetooth Car Kit

                                                       Hands free communication systems is becoming a must for so many car shoppers. Most of the luxury car brands offer them. Ford has a system called “SYNC” and a lot of the other manufactures are offering similar products.

Most people can’t afford to buy a luxury vehicle or a newer Ford that is equipped with SYNC. For those we have a solution. You need a Parrot. They offer kits for cars, motorcycles, and wireless kits. With these kits you can make phone calls and listen to your iPod all by  voice commands.

Check out their website. http://www.parrot.com/usa/

It’s pretty cool what technology can do. The great thing about these systems is it keeps you hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Losing Your Car Key is Costly

We misplace things all the time. We might lose everything from our cell phone, wallet/purse, and our car keys. Losing your car key use to not be a big deal 20 years ago because you could get another one made at your local hardware store, car dealer, or locksmith.

That is no longer the case. Part of this is good. It is much more difficult for thieves to steal your car thanks to the advances in technology. It does come at a price though as the price to replace a key is higher.

Key fobs are becoming more popular than ever before. Just a few years ago they were used to lock/unlock your car, open the trunk, set off the alarm, and if you are locking start your car.

Today the key fob is the key for a lot of automobiles. A lot of the new Chrysler and Dodge vehicles have the key fob as the actual key. You put in your fob and turn it just like you would a normal key. A lot of the luxury brands have this as well. Push start technology is also becoming popular. All it takes to start some vehicles is the touch of a button. You just have to have the key fob inside the car with you.

These keys are costly. A simple fob to lock/unlock your car can be anywhere from $50-$100. Plus you have to pay someone (the dealership) to program the fob. If you need a key that will actually start your car it can cost you a few hundred dollars.

For the sake of your bank account we hope that you don’t lose your car key. It costs a lot more today to replace one than it did before.

True Cost to Own

When buying a vehicle you need to take a lot into consideration. What car do you want/need? What options/features do you prefer? Will you pay cash or finance? It’s important to consider all of this but cost is another factor.

Cost is not just limited to the cost of the vehicle. Another cost that is on everyone’s mind right now is the fuel costs. People desire fuel efficient cars so they pay less for gas. You have maintenance/repair costs. If you choose to finance you will have the cost of interest. Uncle Sam has to get his money so there is sales tax. You have auto insurance costs too. The biggest cost of all is depreciation.

According to Consumer Reports here is the cost of ownership breaks down over 5 years.

Tax = 3%

Maint. & Repair = 4%

Insurance = 10%

Interest = 12%

Fuel = 26%

Depreciation = 46%

Edmunds.com has a true cost to own tool on their website. Check it out…it’s pretty cool!

http://www.edmunds.com/tco.html

Safe Riding

As the weather starts to warm up there will be more and more people riding bicycles on the road. If you are one of those riders please take a few moments to read over these tips.

Don’t Forget Lights – This seems so obvious but a lot of people don’t have headlights and/or rear lights. You should treat riding a bike like driving a car. You wouldn’t drive your car without your lights on.

Get Your Construction Gear – Go to your local retailer and pick up a green or orange vest to wear while riding. It might not be the most fashionable thing to wear but it will help other drivers notice you.

Use a Mirror – A lot of riders don’t have a mirror and I wonder, why? It’s one of those things that once you start using one you will wonder how you rode without one.

Wear a Helmet – Just like a seatbelt you should always wear a helmet whenever you go ride your bicycle.

The above tips seem like common sense and they are. A lot of people don’t use lights, they wear dark clothing, their back lacks any mirrors, and their head has no helmet. These things are so simple and important. They can save your life.

It is said that whenever you are driving a car you should be a defensive driver. This is true. When it comes to riding a bicycle you should be a defensive driver x10. People do not watch out for riders. You should double and triple check when making a turn, crossing intersections, or entering a roadway. Use the sidewalk when possible too.

Safe riding!

Majoring in Automotive

Have you ever thought about working in the automotive industry? There are countless employers. You have dealerships, auto manufacturers, auto auctions, parts/service shops, and lots of vendors.

Work experience is important but maybe you want/need formal education. There are a lot of colleges/universities offering degrees that will prepare you for an automotive career. Business and computer technology degrees are good. If you like to work on cars there are automotive technology degrees.

There are a couple of local colleges that offer these degrees: Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne and Northwest Ohio in Lima. Northwest Ohio even has degrees in alternative fuels, diesel, and high-performance motorsports.

http://www.ivytech.edu/academics/programs-a-z.html

http://www.unoh.edu/academics/collegetechnologies/

There is one school that allows you to study the business side of the industry. Northwood University is growing online and there have several campuses throughout the country. The nearest one is located in Midland Michigan. You can major in aftermarket management (focusing on various aspects from wholesale, retail, to manufacturing) or automotive marketing and management. This degree focuses on all aspects of the dealership from advertising, budgeting, to used car management. They also offer an MBA for automotive professionals.

http://www.northwood.edu/degreeprograms/#automotivemarketing

Working in the automotive industry is both rewarding and interesting. It’s also constantly changing. There are so many positions available whether it is at a dealership, parts store, or auto auction. We encourage you to check it out!

Fourever Friends 2011 Memorial Scholarship

On Saturday March 26^th Angola was hit with a tragedy. Four high school seniors were driving back from a spring break trip when another car hit them head on. All four died at the scene.

Two local radio stations, US 93.3 and HOT 107.9, have raised over $65,000. Their goal was to give each family $10,000. Any amount over $40,000 is going to the "Fourever Friends 2011 Memorial Scholarship" in memory of Alexx Bauer, Matt Roe, Evan Weaver and Riley Zimmer.

Donations can be mailed to the Community Foundation at

1701 North Wayne Street

Angola IN 46703

You can also donate online at the Steuben County Community Foundation website.

http://www.steubenfoundation.org/

Review Our Dealership!

The internet has changed consumer shopping in so many ways. It has given consumers more information which is great! It is so easy to find what you want. One thing I personally do before I buy anything online is look at reviews of the product/service. Now the reviews will easy to find.

We are very excited to announce that customers will now be able to review us on Cars.com! We are in the process of getting set up for it so hopefully within the next week customers will be able to click on the link below, find us, and review us!

http://www.cars.com/dealers/reviews/

Of course there are other sites you can review us and other dealers. Check out our Google business page and Dealer Rater.

www.google.com Search for “Custom Car Care Decatur”. Below the map it says “Write a review” click on that.

http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/Custom-Car-Care-review-3896/

We believe that this will make the shopping experience better and hope that customers feel the same way. We encourage all of our customers to review us on these sites. The more reviews the better.

Saving Fuel Part 3

Gas prices only continue to climb. As they do we try to provide you with as much useful information as possible. These tips have more to do with saving money than with actual miles per gallon but saving money is the goal in the end.

- Oil companies will lower fuel prices if people boycott gas stations for a day

False. This is a popular chain letter and there are a lot of Facebook groups requesting that people boycott gas stations on a certain day. The reality is that they don’t work. We would have to stop driving all together for gas prices to fall.

- Trading in your gas-guzzler for a fuel-efficient car makes economic sense.

Depends on your situation. If you still owe money on your gas guzzler it probably won’t make good economic sense to add to your debt total. The most you will probably save is a couple thousands dollars a year and that is if you go from a gas-guzzler like a Chevrolet Suburban to a Toyota Prius. You should take fuel economy into consideration when car shopping but you shouldn’t look to buy a more fuel efficient car every time gas prices rise.

- Paying cash at the pump saves you money

True. Remember that it costs the stations when you pay with a credit card. Sometimes you can get as much as 5 cents off per gallon.

- Premium grade gasoline is better than regular gasoline.

False. Premium usually costs about 30 cents per gallon more than regular gasoline. If your owner’s manual doesn’t require it than don’t use it. It will not improve your fuel economy.

Hybrid Cars: Are They Worth It?

With gas prices rising people are looking for vehicles that have good fuel economy. This has many thinking about hybrid cars. Are hybrid cars really a good investment though?

A lot of people think so but often times that is not true. I was reading about a recent study that Car Gurus did on the break even point for hybrid vehicles. On average hybrid cars cost 17% more than non hybrid cars. So how high does gas have to go before you break even on a hybrid car? $3 per gallon? $4? $5? $6? Try $7 per gallon.

$7 per gallon is just the average. So some, like the Ford Escape hybrid, break even at $2.50 per gallon, while others, like the Cadillac Escalade hybrid, require you paying $15 per gallon before you break even.

The rising gas prices mean that the demand for fuel efficient cars is going up, especially hybrids. The high demand means the cost to buy these cars increases. Most people are better off buying a non hybrid car that is still fuel efficient. Good examples are the Ford Fusion, Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox, and Pontiac Vibe.

Do some research before you spend the extra money on a hybrid. Sometimes they make good financial sense but not always. We listed some good websites below.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ This site lists the government's offical MPG rating for all vehicles. 

http://www.nadaguides.com/ http://www.kbb.com/ They can give you a rough idea of what a vehicle's value is.

Introducing Phil Zeeff

Phil Zeeff is the finance manager at Custom Car Care. He came here in May 2009. He has worked in the automotive industry nearly all of his life. Before joining us he worked for a couple of dealers in Fort Wayne.

Being the only finance manager can be stressful. He is the go-to-guy regarding financing, laws, and warranties related to automobiles. He handles all the paperwork making him the last person our customers see before they drive home in their new car! He works with multiple banks and credit unions to help people secure financing.  

He grew up around Grand Rapids Michigan and attended college there. He now resides in Van Wert OH with his wife and two children. Even though he lives in Ohio and works in Indiana his loyalty remains in Michigan…Go Blue and Lions! When he has free time he enjoys rooting on his home teams (which has been painful for him recently) fishing, golfing, and watching his kids play sports.

Pre-Owned vs. Brand New

Buying a new vehicle can be a very exciting yet stressful time for people. It’s exciting to get anything new, right? It’s also stressful because financially speaking it’s one of the biggest decisions we make and because of all the choices out there.

Technology and design advance every year. We all want to drive the latest and coolest car. We want to have the latest cell phone, etc. That’s human nature.

Unfortunately when we buy anything brand new it cost more. Since buying a vehicle is such as huge financial decision not everyone can afford to buy a brand new vehicle.

On average new cars lose 60% of their value within the first four years. Only those who are filthy rich can afford to take a hit like that in terms of depreciation.

Other than not paying nearly as much depreciation there are a lot of other advantages to buying pre-owned over new. You don’t pay as much in terms of financing costs and your insurance will cost you less.

So next time you are looking for a new vehicle resist the temptation to buy brand new. Save your money and buy a pre-owned vehicle.

Saving Fuel Part 2

A couple of weeks ago we posted some tips that can save you fuel. Here are some more useful tips that will help the cause!

Obviously the technology of the automotive manufactures has a lot to do with the fuel economy of our vehicles. We, the drivers, have a lot more power than we think. Our driving habits a lot to do with the fuel economy we get. Below are some tips that, little by little, can add up to substantial increase in miles per gallon.

Avoid idling. When your car idles you get 0 MPG. Unfortunately we can not control the traffic lights so there will be some idling. There are a lot of places we can avoid that would avoid idling thus increase our gas mileage.

America’s most chosen method of doing business is the drive thru. It doesn’t matter if it is at your local McDonalds or Chase Bank consumers prefer to use the drive thru. This wastes your gas thus wasting your money. Often times you will find that choosing to go inside these places will save you time as there are less people inside than there is in the drive thru.

In the winter a lot of people like to let their cars warm up before get in it and go. This is understandable but it does get you 0 MPG. Just like using the drive thru it wastes gas thus wasting your money.

 If you are someone who frequently eats fast food, goes to the bank, etc you want to go inside as opposed to using the drive thru. This will save you gas/money and often time.

Introducing John Morgan

John Morgan is one of the sales managers here at Custom Car Care. He joined us in December of 2008 after spending the previous 5 years selling new Fords and Lincolns.

Prior to selling cars John laid flooring. He loved it! He enjoyed the process of starting something, finishing it and looking at the results. He also enjoys selling cars because it gives him a chance to work with a variety of people every day.

He keeps busy spending time with his wife Kim and 4 children. His oldest daughter recently got married and he has twin 22 year old boys that he has to keep up with. He has another daughter who started the 1rst grade this year!

One of John’s pride possessions is his 1983 Jeep Wrangler CJ. He has put a lot of work into it to make it his own, unique Jeep. He loves taking it out especially in the summer with the top off!

John is originally from Decatur but eventually got tired of the winters and moved to Florida. He decided to trade in his beach towel for snow boots so he and his wife can be closer to their families and moved back to Decatur.

Saving Fuel Part 1

 

Everyone has the desire to save money. It doesn’t matter if you are driving a gas guzzler or a fuel efficient car you can do the following to reduce the amount of money spent on fuel

- The biggest fuel savers are from car pooling and public transportation. You might not live in a city where public transportation is available but you can find someone to car pool with. Car pooling can reduce the amount you spend on fuel by 50%! Even if you have to make a small sacrifice it is worth it when you can reduce your spending on fuel by 50%.

- Reduce unnecessary weight. Remove unnecessary items/weight can save you on fuel.

- Watch your speed. Going 80 MPH might get you to your destination quicker but it won’t save you on fuel consumption and while it can be fun to go from 0 to 60 in a matter of a few second it uses more fuel to do so. Accelerating slowly is the best way to go. Once you get up to speed use cruise to keep it steady.

 - Keep your tires inflated properly. This is often overlooked but if your tires are not inflated properly it will reduce your miles per gallon. To get the right inflation pressure look on the car’s doorjamb or the owner’s manual and not the tire’s sidewall.

There are a lot of things you can do to improve your fuel economy. Stay tuned for more tips in the near future!

This Takes Living In Your Car To A New Level!

Austrian architect Markus Voglreiter has taken his love for cars to another level! The design of his home is inspired by the Volkswagen Beetle. He loves his home so much he decided to build his restaurant to look like this same car.

Show Me The...Autocheck?

“Show Me The Car Fax!” We have all seen the commercials.  Almost everyone who is shopping for a pre owned vehicle asks for a Car Fax. Sometimes people are disappointed with the information that it shows or what it doesn’t show.

We prefer to use the alternative to Car Fax; Autocheck. It is the lesser known of the two but we believe it is the better report. It is more detailed and it is organized in a way that is easy to read.

We are not the only ones who believe Autocheck is the better of the two. EBay does too. They offer an Autocheck for all of the used vehicles listed on their site.

Autocheck uses over 150 sources to gather information on vehicles. They use state departments of motor vehicles, auto auctions, and insurance companies just to name a few.  

It’s important to remember that no vehicle history report can have the complete history on a car. The reports are only as good as the sources they use. We believe that Autocheck has better sources than Car Fax which is why we choose to use them.

Winter Driving Errors

Since we’ve had a little snow lately, and likely to get more sooner rather than later, it would be a good idea to keep some basic winter driving errors in mind.

#5. Poor Visibility

This sounds obvious but make sure all your windows are clear and that there is no snow on your roof. You’d be surprised to see how many people don’t clean their vehicle off properly before driving.

#4. Too Much Confidence in Your Vehicle

Remember that Anti-Lock Brakes, Traction Control, 4x4/AWD, and other stability control systems will not over compensate for driving too fast.

# 3. Overcorrecting

If you start to skid first do not panic! Be sure to take your foot off the accelerator. Do not brake and steer where you want the vehicle to go.

# 2. Following Others Too Closely

When the weather is nice you can allow a follow time of 3-4 seconds. You need to double that number in the winter. You will need more time to stop.

# 1. Driving Too Fast

Driving too fast is the number one cause for accidents in the winter. Accelerating too fast will cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Some helpful tips include looking ahead and brake before you enter a corner.

Mr. Clean

Have you ever ridden in a car that was dirty? Resembles a cafeteria more than an automobile? Trash everywhere and just not kept clean?  Wouldn’t you hate to be the one who cleaned out that car?!?

Here at Custom Car Care we have a detail shop dedicated to making our cars shine like they did when they were brand new! One of those employees is Doug Marbaugh.

Doug lives in Decatur and has been with us for about a year. He does just about everything in the detail shop from buffing the cars to cleaning the interiors.

While he puts in a lot of hours he always makes sure he has time for his family. He has three kids who keep him very busy! His son plays football at the middle school and he has a daughter who plays softball and dances at Razz M'Jazz here in Decatur.