Tag Archives: New York

Interest Rates Remain Low as Auto Sales Increase

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Comerica Bank releases a report every three months known as the “Auto Affordability Index.”  What the report does is take the median income for a family in the US and the average price of a new car and compares them to see how many weeks it would take to finance the purchase.  The most recent one brings good news to people who are having a difficult time due to having bad credit.

Auto Credit Express breaks down the report in their latest blog.  An averaged-priced new vehicle took 23.6 weeks of income to buy.  Buyer spent $900 more on new vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2012 than in the third of the same year.

Even though there was a rise of late in prices, sales continue to be very good.  Some of that is due to an up-tick because of Hurricane Sandy forcing many drivers back into dealership to replace destroyed cars.

What that means is that demand is rising and so will be interest rates.  As of right now, you can still get yourself a great deal.  If you’ve needed to purchase a vehicle but have been holding off, now is the time to take advantage of the affordability before it goes up.

Contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge and see why we love to say yes.  We’ll help you find the new or pre-owned vehicle that suits your life-style.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all our monthly vehicle incentives.

Used Car Prices Going Down

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ID-100121023Car sales have been up.  There are a lot of reasons why this is happening.  One is that the average ages of vehicles are at the point where it’s cheaper to replace them rather than repair them.  Another, one that’s closer to heart here in New York, is because of Hurricane Sandy.  New Yorkers had their cars wrecked by the super-storm and were forced to get back in the market in the aftermath.  This influx of buyers caused the prices of used-vehicles to surge.  The used-car market has had a hard time keeping up in both inventory and by seeing the cost come close to that of a new car.  Not the best deal for someone looking to purchase pre-owned.  Thankfully, the higher cost is coming to an end.

Fi-magazine.com has the breakdown of why the analysts see a shift coming.  Before the beginning of the year, prices were already starting to go down, but Sandy broke that trend.  February showed that the market was finally getting away from that upswing, as the price for a used-vehicle was averaged at $9,752.  That figure is down 2.8 percent from the month of January.  The exception to the drop was the Mini SUV segment that went up 1.9 percent.

The sales figures for used vehicles remain strong as the year goes on.  The franchised dealers were up by 11.6% in February and the independent dealers were up 4.4%.

If you’ve been having cold feet about coming into Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge due to the recent news of increased used-car prices, there’s no need.  Now is the best time to come in and work with the dealership to leave in the vehicle that best suits your needs.  We love to say yes!  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see more news and special monthly offers.

How to Spot ID Theft on Your Credit Report

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ID-10060832An important aspect of qualifying for an auto loan, even with troubled credit, is your credit score.  One of the best ways an applicant can prepare for the process is to go over their report and ensure that everything listed is correct.  Any number of things can work against you, which is why everyone always recommends a look over before making any major financial decisions.  Be on the lookout for anything that doesn’t match up with your own records.  If you see something wrong, get it taken care of.  Another thing to be aware of if you see something unfamiliar on your credit report is that you may be a victim of identity theft.

TransUnion has some tips to help make sure you can avoid being a victim.  There are certain signs in your report that may point to fraud.  Here’s what you need to keep an eye out for:

  • If you see any accounts, payment histories, addresses, inquires, or Social Security Numbers that you don’t recognize.
  • If an unknown creditor tells you they got an application with your name and Social Security on it that you were unaware of.
  • If you’re getting calls or letters informing you of being approved or denied for credit but never applied.
  • If you have gotten credit card, utility, or telephone statements that are in your name but you never applied.
  • If you notice that your mail, including credit card statements, is not always being delivered to you.
  • If there are credit card purchases you don’t recognize.
  • If a collection agency contacts you about collecting on an account you never opened.

These are all important signs that someone has gotten ahold of your information and are using it for malicious purposes.  Make sure you are aware so that you can work to protect yourself.  Don’t let a thief drag down your credit and along with it the ability to apply for credit.

If you’re in the market for a vehicle then contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge and find out how we can help.  We love to say yes!  Browse our new and pre-owned inventory online.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more news and monthly offers.