Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Lincoln Black Label

  


   Welcome to Lincoln Black Label, an ownership experience designed to exceed the expectations of even the most discerning luxury client. We want our Lincoln customers to feel they are in the peak of luxury. Centered on a curated collection of designer, interior themes – meticulously brought to life in rare, high-end materials – and a host of exclusive membership privileges, Lincoln Black Label not only engages the senses and imagination, it represents the ultimate in luxury, comfort and service. Choose from the following to customize your Lincoln Black Label experience.


Oasis

   Characterized by a harmonious, subtle, two-tone interior in soothing shades of cream and tan, Oasis evokes a desert spa sanctuary or perhaps the sandy dunes of a tropical paradise. Borrowing from Eastern influences, Oasis speaks to those who want to reduce the chaos in their lives and escape to a luxurious, calm, peaceful environment.
 

Center Stage

   Inspired equally by the fashion world and the theater district, this interior is for those with a flair for the dramatic. The Jet Black leather interior with Foxfire Red Alcantara® accents captures the excitement of standing center stage, while onyx wood (MKZ) and black striped wood (MKC) add a lush texture to this undeniably stylish design.


Indulgence

   Few things ignite our senses like fine chocolate, and such was the inspiration for this sumptuous theme. Uncommonly soft, beautiful leather, with a subtle antiqued finish, adds richness and depth to the interior, while Ziricote wood – usually reserved for high-end yachts and fine musical instruments – adds warmth without the need for dyes or stains.


Modern Heritage

   For those who appreciate a clean, modern aesthetic, look no further than this incredible theme. Featuring a high-contrast black-and-white interior highlighted by crimson stitching and Argento® wood trim, this clean color scheme marries the artful past of Lincoln to the vision for its future.



Materials of Black Label

   The materials used for Lincoln's Black Label are the richest of the rich. We’re all creatures of our environment, and thus we focused on the design of the interior – the place where the driver spends the most time. We’ve elevated the inside with rare materials such as Alcantara® and Venetian leather – a textile sought after by fashion pioneers. For the interior trim, we sourced premium woods seeking optimal color and richness in every grain – all elements working in harmony to create an unforgettable tactile experience.

Crafting the Black Label

   Black Label was created for individuals who are drawn to a certain kind of craftsmanship; those who appreciate the significance of space inside a seam, the warmth of a premium leather, and delicate touch of a fine-quality fabric.

The Leather of Black Label
   Journey through the tannery where you’ll be immersed in the intimate process of producing incredibly supple yet durable leather for Lincoln Black Label.


Shop our online inventory to create your own Lincoln Black Label. Visit our website or come into our dealership located at 320 E. Ireland Rd. South Bend, IN. 46614 and speak with one of our Lincoln Certified Product Specialists.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Buying Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned

With Certified comes Confidence.

   Why should I consider a Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned luxury vehicle? Three words – peace of mind. Before your vehicle is delivered, it receives a unique 200-point inspection. Any item(s) that does not pass our standards is replaced or repaired with a factory-authorized part. On top of that, every Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned vehicle comes with limited warranty coverage, optional upgrade coverage and other exclusive benefits.

The 200-point inspection includes the following:
  • Engine
  • Electrical System
  • Exterior Lights
  • Glass and Outside Mirrors
  • Vehicle Exterior
  • Vehicle Interior
  • Tires and Wheels
  • Brakes
  • Vehicle Frame
  • Fuel System
  • Road Test
  • Exhaust System
Every carefully selected Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned luxury vehicle has to meet stringent requirements:
  • There must be fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer.
  • To identify potential issues, a CARFAX vehicle history report is run to identify issues such as accident history and frame, flood and fire damage.
    • If a vehicle has been damaged, it may not meet our standards. That’s why we run a CARFAX Vehicle History Report to identify any potential issues, such as:
      • Flood vehicle
      • Fire damage
      • Frame damage
      • Salvage vehicle
      • Branded title
      • Odometer issues
      • Accident history
      • Vehicle title history
Warranty:
   Coverage for all Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned vehicles includes repair or replacement of covered components for six years from the original Lincoln New-Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage start date or up to 100,000 miles on the odometer, whichever comes first.

Having the correct information about the car buying process is important in purchasing any type of vehicle, whether it's new, used or certified pre-owned. Now that you how the certified pre-owned program works, shop here for our certified pre-owned Lincoln inventory or visit our showroom located at 320 E. Ireland Rd. South Bend, IN. 46614 to speak with one of our Lincoln Certified Product Specialists.

Ford Certified Pre-owned and the Benefits of buying certified pre-owned

   Not so long ago, buying a used car was a dicey proposition. Actually, it still can be. But it is so much easier now to buy a used vehicle that is in excellent working condition―and to find one whose reliability will allow you to sleep at night. Part of the reason for this is the emergence of the pre-owned certified car market. As these cars grow in popularity, more and more groups are getting into the picture. Car dealers and third-party companies are now joining an area that was once the domain of vehicle manufacturers.
   For a vehicle to be Ford certified, a pre-owned vehicle has to be less than six years old and have fewer than 80,000 miles on the odometer. It then has to pass a 172-point inspection. What's involved in the 172-point inspection? Several things are involved when running the inspection on the vehicle, including:

  • Vehicle history
  • Road test
  • Exterior/Interior appearance and condition
  • Diagnostics
  • Underhood/Underbody components
  • Hybrid system
  • Convenience features

  • Who certifies vehicles to make sure they can be sold certified pre-owned?
       Ford factory-trained dealer technicians go through each vehicle, performing a rigorous 172-point inspection, including obtaining a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. Any part(s) that doesn’t meet our standards is replaced with a factory-authorized part. For added peace of mind, each vehicle comes with comprehensive limited warranty coverage and powertrain limited warranty coverage backed by Ford Motor Company.

    Why is a CARFAX vehicle history report so important?
       The CARFAX vehicle history report can identify any vehicle that does not meet our strict standards. The report is part of our 172-point inspection process, and it includes checks for:

    • Flood vehicles
    • Fire damage
    • Frame damage
    • Salvage vehicles
    • Branded title
    • Odometer issues
    • Accident history
    • Vehicle title history

    Do Ford-Certified Pre-Owned vehicles come with warranty coverage?
       Yes, every Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicle comes with a comprehensive limited warranty backed by Ford Motor Company covering more than 1000 components for 12 months/12,000 miles plus seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty coverage.
     
    What areas are included in the comprehensive limited warranty?
    • Engine
    • Transmission
    • Rear-wheel drive system
    • Front-wheel drive system
    • Steering components
    • Brakes
    • Front and rear suspension
    • Electrical system
    • Air conditioning and heating
    • Technology components
    • Emissions components
    • Factory audio system
    • Safety systems

    Now that you're armed with information about Certified Pre-Owned and the benefits of buying, shop our Ford Certified Pre-Owned inventory online or visit or showroom located at 320 E. Ireland Rd. South Bend, IN. 46614 and speak with one of our Ford Certified Product Specialists and be confident in knowing you're making a great vehicle choice in buying certified pre-owned.

    Tuesday, June 9, 2015

    Getting an Auto Loan

    Buying a car can be fun. Figuring out how to pay for it? Not so much.

    Unless you have the luxury of paying with cash, you'll need to deal with auto financing. Financing requires just as much thought and time as figuring out what car you want to buy. If you don't make the right decision now, you might penalize yourself financially and cause headaches for yourself for years to come. So with that in mind, here are some things you should think about when considering an auto loan.

    1.Compare Rates

     Shop around for the best rates. To do this:
    • Call around to local banks and ask what the interest rates are for car loans.
      • Start with your own bank or credit union; credit unions often have better rates than banks.
      • The easiest way to find out rates is just visit one of the online sites that lists national and local bank loan rates, as well as those of online lenders.
    Use the annual percentage rate (APR) of the loan as your standard when comparing. A difference of just 1% adds up over a loan's lifetime. Be sure to check out online lender sites, too. They have great rates and a variety of contract lengths. Finding out the cost of a loan doesn't take a math degree. Most online financing sites have calculators that crunch the numbers for you.

    2. Dealer Financing

      Of course, you can always go with dealer financing. The dealer might have the best deal available―if not, find the best rate elsewhere and ask the dealer to beat it. But beware when dealing with the dealer. The dealer's just the middleman, and usually it's the most expensive way to go. Of course, those 0% financing deals sure do seem attractive and sometimes they really are a great deal, but beware because they usually come with short-term leases. Also, to qualify for those leases, your credit needs to be top-notch. And a large down payment is usually required. If you decide to go with dealer or manufacturer financing, make sure the transaction is completed and approved before you leave the dealership. If you fail to do this, the dealer might call you in a few days to tell you that the financing fell through, and then try to stick you with another lender at a higher interest rate.

    Factors Affecting Your Interest Rate

    •    The exact interest rate you'll pay depends on a number of factors. The top factor being your credit. The higher the number, the lower your rate. It's a good idea to obtain a recent credit report to make sure you know what's on it.
    • The longer the length of the loan, the higher the interest rate you'll pay. And usually, used car loans have higher rates than new car ones. Also, it's easier to get a longer-term loan for a new car than for a used one.
    • The most popular loan contracts are for either 48 or 60 months. Longer lengths enable you to have a lower monthly payment, and they also might make a higher-priced car suddenly fit into your budget.  More months equals higher interest rates equals more money.
    • A long loan length also may not make sense if you don't want to keep the car for more than a couple of years. 
     Keep in mind that having an existing loan makes it more difficult to trade in a car.


    Now that you're armed with loan knowledge, shop our selection or new, used and certified pre-owned cars!

    Tuesday, June 2, 2015

    Try Before You Buy


    Test-driving a new or used vehicle does not obligate you to buy anything or even to make an offer, but you can get the most value out of your time spent test driving by sticking to a routine and thoroughly checking out the vehicle. It is a critical part of buying a car. When you've picked out the car you want, naturally you're going to want to take it on a test drive. Here are some tips to remember when you head out on the road.

    1. The actual driving part of the test drive should be brief but thorough. Check the Engine, Suspension, Steering and Cornering, and on-board amenities including the heating and air conditioning. The test drive should also include stop and go street driving as well as highway driving.
    2. When you're on the streets, make sure you pay attention to the steering ability of the car while taking a left and right turns. This will give you an idea of the brakes, transmission and engine behavior.
    3. While driving on the highway, go ahead and check the vehicle's acceleration. Make note of how smoothly the car rides when it's accelerated. Also, make note of the noise from the engine and exhaust.
    4. After some highway driving, head back to the seller's location and preferably get more street driving in to ensure the car doesn't run hot or rough after highway driving. You should also find a place to check the cars stopping power by hitting the brakes hard.
    5. Drive the car long enough to get the engine to regular operating temperature. The street and highway driving should include running in all gears and going in reverse at some point.
    6. Run the heat to ensure that it emits hot air and check the air conditioning for cold air. Be sure to run the air conditioning longer so you can check the impact it has on the engine
    7. Make sure you allow the car to sit idle for at least five minutes after driving to ensure it doesn't run hot or rough after any type of driving.

    Be sure to take advantage of your test drive and come up with some questions or additional information about the car or it's performance. You should feel comfortable that you have thoroughly tested the vehicle before buying and a test drive is the best way to do it. Don't forget to have fun!

    Shop our online inventory here and schedule a test drive today!