Tips for Maintaining Your Used Car Correctly

February 11th, 2009

When it comes time to buy a used car, you always want to make sure that you buy a used car that has been properly inspected and that is in excellent working condition. However, regardless of whether or not your car is new or used, you can expect to have to perform routine maintenance on your car.

Because used cars have been working for longer, you may have to perform some maintenance tasks sooner than you would have to with a new car. Keep in mind that we inspect all of our used cars before we put them on the lot in order to ensure that they are in safe working condition and will be durable. However, you may need change certain parts sooner than with a new car, such as the tires, windshield wipers and more.

Here are some tips to help ensure that when you perform maintenance or check out your used car, that you are doing it correctly and in order to ensure optimum results.

Checking Oil

There are two important considerations that you need to think about when checking your oil. First, make sure that your car is on a level surface. If your car is parked on a tilt, then your oil check may not be as accurate as you’d like.

Second, make sure that you check your oil when the vehicle is cold. For example, check your oil before you begin driving your car or after your car has been parked for awhile. This will help to ensure that your oil level reading is accurate and that the oil has not expanded due to the elevated temperatures of a working engine.

Check Tires

Tires should be checked regularly (about every week) to make sure that they are durable and still have ample treads. You should plan on changing your tires about every five years in order to avoid a blow out. Also, rotating your tires each year or every two years may help to prolong their durability. Make sure that you have the correct tire pressure as well in order to prevent wear.

Fluids

No matter what the fluid is, all fluids in your car should be clear. If you have a fluid that is cloudy, dirty, or that has rust in it, then you could have some major issues up ahead. Have a mechanic inspect your car for you in such a case.

As always, feel free to contact us for more information at www.pickardlaneleasing.ca  about caring for your used car!

Maintaining Your Used Car

How to Get Car Financing Today, in Bolton

February 2nd, 2009

Whether you have been looking for a new or used car for months or have just decided today that you need an upgrade, chances are good that you’re ready to take action. The only thing keeping you from jumping into your next new car is financing, right? Wrong. By working with our experienced dealers and financial specialists, we’ll help you get you in your next new car today.

Unlike when you get your car financing through a bank or other lender, we take a hands-on approach by determining how much credit you have, how much of a loan you will be able to take out, and how much of a monthly payment you will be able to make for the next few years. All of these variables will help us to walk you through our lot of available cars until we find the car that’s just right for you and all of your needs.

Here’s how you can get car financing today so that you can drive off of the lot in hours.

1.       Fill out a credit application. Before you come into the dealership, we invite you to fill out our secure online credit application from the comfort of your own home. Otherwise, you are always welcome to fill out a credit application on-site at out dealership. This credit application will ask for information about your social security number, address history, job history, and more, so be sure that you have all of that information together if you fill your credit application out at the dealership.

2.       Allow us to review your credit application. When you apply for car loans, it is important for the dealer to review your credit application so that we can determine what kind of car might be most affordable for you and what kind of monthly loan payments you might be able to make each month. We’ll sit and talk with you about the many options that you will have.

3.       Select a car. After you know about how much money you are able to spend on your car, it’s time to find the car that suits your budget. When you get car loans, you should keep in mind that just because you have a car loan doesn’t mean that you should by the most expensive car for your budget. Instead, we recommend that many of our customers buy cars that are in the middle of their price range so that they have some extra spending money each month.

Contact us today at www.pickardlaneleasing.ca  to get a credit application or to learn more about our car loan and car financing programs that may help you get into that new or used car today.

 

 

Car Loan , ,

3 Reasons We Love Used Trucks, in Bolton, Ontario

January 21st, 2009

As you begin to look for used trucks that suit your needs, you’ll quickly find that many dealers have a large variety of used trucks in their inventories. Used trucks provide a host of benefits to buyers. Aside from affordability, used trucks can also offer buyers a range of options as well as guaranteed reliability that buyers often expect only from new vehicles.

Here are 3 reasons that we love used trucks:

They save buyers money. When you compared a used truck to a new truck of the same make, model, and year, you’ll find that there are plenty of similarities. In fact, new trucks and used trucks of the same model often have only a handful of differences, which include:

·         Mileage (usually greater on used trucks)

·         Ordinary wear and tear (usually mild on used trucks)

·         Warranty (usually shorter on used trucks)

·         Price (usually less on used trucks

While there are often only a few points of difference on comparable new and used trucks, most people pay the most attention to the price, which can be thousands of dollars less on a used truck than an almost identical new truck. It’s not always possible to compare new and used trucks of the same year, make, and model. However, it is important to keep in mind that used trucks are just as drivable, enjoyable, safe, and reliable as new trucks, in most cases.

They may offer more accessories and features that the buyer can afford. Remember: one of the greatest benefits of buying a used truck is that used trucks often save buyers money. For the same budget, many people can buy a fully-equipped and well-accessories used truck or they can buy a basic new truck that will require additional accessories. By buying a used truck, individuals often get additional features and accessories included with the price of the truck for little-to-no additional fee.

They still have their warranties. When you buy a certified used truck from a dealer, the used truck will still have a warranty. In most cases, if the truck is certified, the manufacturer backs the warranty. A certified warranty can only be obtained through an authorized dealer. In order to obtain the certified warranty classification, dealers have to put the used truck through a multi-point inspection to guarantee reliability and quality.

Contact us today at www.pickardlaneleasing.ca  for more information about why we love used trucks. We’re always happy to show off our wide selection of used trucks that suit the many needs and lifestyles of our customers.

Used Trucks ,

What You’ll Need to Get a Bad Credit Car Loan

January 9th, 2009

If you’re in the market for a car, but have less than perfect credit, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Thousands of people need to buy cars each year, but are unable to do so with cash and have bad credit. Dealers, like us, are happy to work with any financial situation in order to ensure that our customers are able to buy a car that suits their lifestyle and needs without breaking their bank accounts.

In order to get a bad credit car loan, there are a few things that you’ll need to show your dealer or other lender. Here are a few of those important things:

Identification

Your dealer will want to ensure that you are who you say you are by seeing at least one form of identification. Many dealers want to have two forms, such as a drivers license and a credit card. The lender will use this identification to run an official credit check. If you have bad credit, then this information will be uncovered in the credit check.

Proof of Income and/or Savings

If you have a job, then you will need to provide a pay stub proving that you have a regular source of income. If you are unemployed, then you may need to provide a bank statement indicating that you do have some financial means, even if it is not a lot.

Your lender wants to see your financial records because he or she wants to confirm that you will have the ability to repay the bad credit car loan in a timely manner and with some degree of reliability.

Co-Signer

Many folks with bad credit are unable to get an interest rate and loan amount that they had been looking for. If this is the case with your bad credit car loan, then it is important that you look into the possibility of having a co-signer work with you to get your loan. A co-signer offers an extra degree of assurance to a lender that the lender will be able to receive his or her monthly payment.

If you are unable to pay off the loan for any reason, then the co-signer will come into place. The lender can contact the co-signer in order to receive the payments that you are unable to make.

Contact us today to learn more about our financing program at www.pickardlaneleasing.ca  or to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our lenders today!

Uncategorized ,

What is Car Financing?

December 29th, 2008

You’ve probably heard about car financing if you’ve been looking to purchase a car. Dealers may have already offered you car financing options. You may have even seen advertisements for low interest rate car financing. However, none of these offers or advertisements can possibly mean anything to you unless you truly understand what car financing is. Here is a brief overview of what car financing is that can get you started thinking about whether or not car financing is right for you:

It Starts with Your Budget

Car financing is all about money and your budget. When you go to buy a car, you will need to have money to pay for the car. Many people do not have enough money to pay for the full price of a car outright. In such a situation, they can either wait to save their money or they can look into alternative options that will help them buy the car. Car financing is a system that can help you buy a car, but it’s not a short-term solution. Instead, car financing is a long-term solution that needs to suit your long-term budget and financial plan.

It’s a Loan

When you do not have enough money to buy a car outright, then you’ll need to take out a loan for the car. Some people get loans from family members or friends. Some people turn to banks. Our dealership offers its own competitive car financing program. These are all sources for car financing loans. However, whenever you take out a loan, you need to remember that the loan is a long-term financial responsibility. You’ll need to be committed to paying it back in monthly increments for the full term of the loan, which can be many years.

It Can Help Your Credit

If you are concerned about your credit history or the future of your credit, then you should know that car financing can actually help your credit. A credit history report is sort of like a report card showing how well you have been able to pay off previous loans and how well you have managed your money. When you take out a loan for car financing and are able to pay off the loan, then your credit history will show that you have been financing reliable, which will reflect well in the future when you go to take out a loan.

Contact us today www.pickardlaneleasing.ca  for more information about car financing and to learn about car financing programs that may help you to buy a car.

Uncategorized

Used Car Buying Guide

December 19th, 2008

Are you in the market for a used car? You’re not alone. Thousands of consumers head to dealerships each year in order to buy used cars that suit their budgets and their needs. In order for buy the used car that’s right for you, take these tips into consideration. Or, feel free to contact us for more information at www.pickardlaneleasing.ca  or to start looking through our used car inventory on line.

Do Your Research

You wouldn’t order from a dinner menu without knowing what you’ll get for the price you’re about to pay, right? Well, the same goes for buying a used car. When you buy a used car, you’ll need to dedicate a good deal of time to finding out which cars are right for you. The only way to figure it out is to spend some time looking around at available options. Here are some things you need to think about when doing your research:

·         Price

·         Size

·         Fuel efficiency

·         Resale value

·         Safety

·         Extra features

·         Style

·         Functionality (such as towing capacity, storage, roof rack)

·         Passenger capability

You’ll use this list to compare car models after you have determined exactly what your needs and wants are.

Test Drive Options

Chances are good that your list will include several different options for your car. These options may include cars in the same class, or they may include very different vehicles, such as an SUV and a sedan. Keeping your wants and needs in mind, head to the dealership to get behind the wheel of your top car choices. By test driving the cars, you’ll be able to immediately cross some options off of the list and move others higher up. Test driving helps you narrow down your list.

Discuss Pricing with the Dealer

In order to get a used car that suits your needs and your budget, you’ll need to discuss pricing options with the dealer. Some dealers are more flexible with others. Some dealers may also be able to offer you a trade-in dollar amount for your current car, if you have one. Plus, if you’re still working out your budget, a dealer can help you to get a loan so that you can maximize your spending potential in order to get the best car possible. 

Come in or contact us today at 905.857.1080  to test drive one of our cars or to learn more about how we can help you to arrange your budget so that you can truly afford the used car that best suits your needs and budget. At Pickard Lane Leasing we can find you the used car or truck that you want and a payment that can fit your budget.

Used Cars

5 Tips to Improve Your Credit

December 10th, 2008

You’ll hear it over and over again: your credit history and credit score can mean the difference in paying hundreds of dollars a year for a car loan or paying thousands of dollars a year for a car loan. Having a strong credit history can help you save money and have more options for spending that money. However, many people are not familiar with how credit works or how they can improve their bad credit.

 

Here are 5 simple tips to help you improve your credit starting now:

 

Pay Down Your Credit Card

By paying down your credit card as quickly as possible, you will not only save money by not paying interest rate fees, but you will also prove to lenders that you are capable of taking out a loan and paying it off. Start small if you can by cutting back on unnecessary expenses in your life. Small payments can add up to big results over a long period of time.

 

Don’t Sign with Friends

Many times, people will sign leases or loans for friends that have bad credit. If someone has good credit, their credit score can balance out a friend’s bad credit. Plus, when a lender sees two borrowers may increase the loan amount and impose a lower loan rate. However, if your friend fails to pay off the loan, you may be stuck with the bill - and the lower credit score. Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you avoid signing a loan with a friend.

 

Pay Bills on Time

This tip may seem obvious to many people - if you want a good credit history, pay bills on time. However, for whatever reason, some people may have a hard time paying their bills when they arrive. Most companies will offer a grace period of minimum payment amount that may make paying your bills easier. If you have a hard time paying your bills, contact the lender to discuss your options. Worst case scenario - pay your bills with a credit card and then develop a plan to pay the credit card off as soon as possible.

 

Stick to a Budget

One of the easiest ways for people to get into financial trouble is to not plan ahead. However, if you are able ot plan a budget that you can stick to, you should be able to pay off all expected bills and credit cards. Remember: finances can be cyclical. While you may have excess money one month, you may be strapped for cash the next. Therefore, always stash some money aside as an emergency fund for your budget.

 

Keep Your Loans to a Minimum

It may be true that lenders like to see that you have a history of having been able to take out loans and pay them off. However, lenders do not want to see that you have multiple unpaid credit cards and a handful of other loans that you need to pay down. By streamlining and minimizing the money that you owe to people, you will prove to lenders that you are financially responsible and do not rely upon loans alone.

 

 

Credit Tips , ,

Big Winter Savings at Pickard Lane Leasing

November 24th, 2008

Make sure you check out our great December savings. We are having a huge Winter Clearout.  Great deals on our entire inventory.  Bad Credit? Its OK. At Pickard Lane Leasing we will get you approved for your car loan, with payments to fit your budget.  Visit us online at: http://www.pickardlaneleasing.ca/, call at 905-857-1080, or come in today. We are located 12500 Hwy. 50 in Bolton, Ontario.

December Savings ,

No Credit Car Loans? We Can Do That

October 24th, 2008

No matter what your credit history or credit score is, we are proud to be able to offer you a no credit car loan. A no credit car loan is a car loan that we extend to our customers that either do not have a credit score or credit history (such as a recent college graduate) or to an individual that has such bad credit that his or her credit history cannot count in his or her favor. When a credit history or credit score does not work in favor of a customer, the client qualifies for a no credit car loan, meaning that the client does not bring a strong credit history to the table.

When you are in a situation in which you have no credit, sometimes thinking about making a huge purchase, like a car, can seem daunting. After all, many people spend the majority of their savings trying to afford a new or used car. On top of the down payment that they make for the car, they have to look ahead for many years in order to be able to afford monthly loan repayments.

Our sales agents are trained to counsel our customers in financial matters, including matters of no credit. We are prepared to offer most of our clients a car loan based on an agreement that they will repay the car loan on time. Plus, our sales agents work hard with each customer to ensure that the car that they want to buy is within their short-term and long-term budget.

When our clients buy their cars from us, they can trust that they are not only going to be getting a car that works, but their car will also be affordable for their unique budget requirements. Contact us today to learn more about how we can work with you to get a no credit car loan that will make buying your next car affordable for years to come.

no credit , ,

3 Easy Ways to Auto Finance that Works

October 9th, 2008

When it comes time to purchase a new car, it is important to remember that you have options - no matter what kind of car you are looking to purchase. Through auto finance opportunities, you can not only buy more car for your dollar, but you can also buy a car that works for you and your budget.

Auto financing can come in many ways. It can include loans from institutions, such as banks, and it can include more creative auto financing options as well. Here are 3 easy ways that you can get auto financing that will actually work with your budget:

Buy Together

If you have the option, finance your next car with your partner. Financing together may not only help to decrease the interest rate on your loan, but it can go a long way to making banks and other lending institutions more comfortable giving you a sizeable loan amount. Make sure that your partner has good credit, though. Having a partner with bad credit may actually bring your interest rate up. Also, make sure that your partner is willing to help you make the loan payments so that you are not stuck with having to pay them on your own unexpectedly.

Speak with the Dealership

Car dealerships are prepared to help you with auto finance - whether you are purchasing a new or a used car. Many dealerships require a large down payment - usually about ten to twenty five percent of the total cost of the car - before they agree to make the loan to you. Also, talk with the dealership about different payment schedules, such as a one year loan, two year, or even six year loan. You may want to get the loan paid off more quickly than six years though!

Buy on Credit

You may not get the advice to buy a car with a credit card too often, but consider this: if you have a credit card that offers miles back or other rewards, then you may just come out ahead…as long as you have a comfortable amount of money available to pay the credit card off. Some credit cards come with interest rates as low as zero percent for a year, which means that you could buy your car on credit, pay it off, and never once have to pay interest. Always analyze your budget against the interest rate and rewards on your credit card first.

Auto finance can be tricky, but with the right research and help, anyone can finance a car in a jiffy. Just remember to value your budget so that you do not purchase a car that you are unable to afford. Budgeting is the first step to sound auto finance.

auto finance ,