Benefits of Working with a Reputable Auto Broker

In addition to being on the right side of the law, you should consider buying from a reputable dealer because the car you buy will most likely be in good working condition. There are some shady brokers who take insurance salvage cars, do some major repairs and apply a fresh coat of paint before reselling the car to unsuspecting buyers. While the vehicle may look great, it is bound to develop some major problems in the future.

When looking for a new or used car to purchase, you can count on DriveWise Auto, a charity-driven auto brokerage firm. In addition to helping you find the right car to buy, DriveWise Auto can also help you get financing. Trade-ins are accepted while those who are interested in leasing can get the best cars at the best prices in the market. Visit drivewiseauto.com to learn more.

The post Los Angeles Auto Broker appeared first on Drivewise Auto.

All Types of Vehicles are In Play

It doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you wish to drive. DriveWise can arrange a suitable car, truck, van, crossover and more if that is what you choose. Provide all of the features that you want and your budget range for the transaction. The company will then look into what’s currently available in the market and present the most compelling options. Pick whichever you like best and we will do the rest of the work.

Impeccable Service with Great Results

Car buyers often waste a ton of time doing research, making inquiries, and sorting out all the documents required to finalize the deal. Now you don’t need to go through all that again. With DriveWise, every detail will be taken care of for you. You save a massive amount of time while being assured of competitive pricing. You can also use this service for leasing a vehicle, trading-in your old ride, or acquiring aftermarket items.

A Socially Responsible Automobile Acquisition

DriveWise takes corporate social responsibility seriously. That’s why part of the payments will always be set aside for donation to a charitable organization. Clients have the power to choose the charity as well so they know that the money will be in good hands and helping their preferred cause. Get a car and help those in need by teaming up with the best auto broker Los Angeles has to offer.

The post Auto Broker Los Angeles appeared first on Drivewise Auto.

Licensure

According to the State Board of Equalization, any person who sells or leases vehicles in California must have a lessor-retailer license. As such, look for a car broker who has acquired his/her license legally.

Return Options

Look for a car broker that gives buyers flexible return options. Car dealers and brokers generally allow car returns within a specific timeframe (usually days). However, if you decide to return your car, it must be in the same condition it was at the time of purchase, have the original paperwork, and the odometer reading should be within the dealer specified range for car returns.

Itemized Price List

Look for a car broker who can give you an itemized price list that covers everything including warranties. In fact, the Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights requires car dealers in California to furnish buyers with an exhaustive itemized price list.

Fee Structure

Look for a broker who charges affordable rates and has a transparent fee structure. On average, car brokers fees range anywhere from $200 to $1,000 depending on factors such as the car model, price, availability (rare or not), and whether it is new or used. As such, expect to pay a higher fee than the average if interested in a rare or high-end car.

Conclusion

If you are planning to buy a car, it is advisable to do so via a reputable auto broker in Santa Clarita Valley CA. This means a licensed broker who has a transparent fee structure and can offer an itemized price list. DriveWise Auto is one of the top car leasing and buying companies in Santa Clarita Valley CA. If you are looking for a reputable auto broker, contact DriveWise today. Additionally, visit www.drivewiseauto.com for information on how to choose the right car.

The post Auto Broker In Santa Clarita Valley CA appeared first on Drivewise Auto.

Auto Sales in Los Angeles

Apart from auto dealerships, consumers can also find vehicles for sale online. There are a number of eCommerce websites and auction sites where different make and models of vehicles for sale can be found. Usually, the buyer makes an offer and deposits the money into escrow pending inspection of the car by the buyer. If everything checks out, the funds are transferred to the seller.

As you can see, buying a car can be challenging and frustrating at times. Fortunately, DriveWise Auto, a charity-driven auto sales & leasing company has made the process easier and safer. As a charity-driven business, the main goal of DriveWise Auto is to connect buyers and sellers as well as individuals who want to lease vehicles, not just to profit from the transaction. Therefore, you can expect to find the best deals on auto sales in Los Angeles through the company.

If you need to trade-in your old car to get a new one, DriveWise Auto can help you out. The same applies to financing. Simply put, the company will take care of everything from helping you to find a vehicle that meets all your needs to making the necessary arrangements for affordable financing.

The post Auto Sales in Los Angeles appeared first on Drivewise Auto.

oday’s vehicles are packed full of new and very current technologies and safety features. Many of them have been around for quite some time, but until recently, technologies which are now available in very mass volume vehicles were only available in those that were exceedingly expensive. Today, many of the options below are available in cars under $30,000, and some are even standard. These are just a few of the advancements, amongst many others, that we are now seeing in today’s vehicles.

Lane Departure Warning – a system that gives the driver either an audible, visual or physical indication that he/she is drifting out of a lane and moving into another lane. Some systems actively bring the car back into the lane without the driver doing anything.

Pre-Collision Warning – a system that gives the driver either an audible, visual or physical indication that they are not coming to a stop or slowing down when they should be and/or are going to collide with an object. Some systems automatically bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

Blind-Spot Monitor – a feature that gives the driver an indication that something (an object, or otherwise) is in the driver’s blind spot on either the passenger or driver side of the vehicle.

Around View Cameras – a version of the backup camera that allows the driver to see what appears to be a top-down view of their vehicle, thus allowing them to see all the way around the car. These systems are incredibly helpful when it comes to parking.

Cross-Traffic Alert
– a feature that gives an audible or visual indication that there is cross-traffic when reversing from a parking spot. Yes, the car can sense not just that an object is behind it, but that an object (ie: another car) is approaching it from a perpendicular direction.

Night Vision
– a system using infrared scanners and cameras that allow the driver to see in surroundings that are pitch black. The systems in some vehicles not only allow the driver to see what is in front of them, but will also bring the vehicle to a stop if there is an object/animal/person in front of the car.

Active Park Assist – a feature that allows a vehicle to park itself. The driver must select the gearing, and use the gas and brake pedals, but the vehicle can identify a suitable parking space (even parallel) and steer the car into it.

Dynamic Laser Cruise Control
/ Distance Control Assist – a feature that allows a car to maintain a specified distance from the car in front of it. When the car in front slows, so too does the vehicle with this feature – likewise when the car in front speeds up, but not to a greater speed than was originally set.

Heads-Up Display – a feature that through the use of mirror reflections and a projector, display information into the line of sight of the driver so that the driver does not have to take his/her eyes off of the road. This feature traditionally displays things like speed, navigational directions and audio stations.

Keyless Lock/Unlock/Start/Stop – a feature that allows the driver to access, lock/unlock, and start/stop his or her vehicle without using an actual key. The system relies upon the presence and proximity of a ‘smart key’ held by the driver, making putting a key into the ignition or a door lock a thing of the past. Some vehicles even accept hand/foot gestures for the doors and/or tailgates to physically open/close.

Do you think that these technologies are impressive? There are tons more, and we have all the information you’re looking for about them.

Do you have questions about any of the above, or need more information? Call us. We’d be happy to help. And, if you’re looking for a new vehicle, and any of these features sound like must-haves for you, let us know and we can help you figure out what make and model has the feature(s) and is right for you.

The post New Cars and New Technologies appeared first on Drivewise Auto.

There is a litany of information out there that speaks to what you SHOULD do when you’re looking to buy or lease a car? But, what about all of the things that you SHOULDN’T do? That said, here are some tips and tricks of what NOT to do if you’re out there shopping for a car…and these are just a few:

1) Don’t ever let a dealership run your credit, unless of course you’re already through negotiations, and ready to actually leave with a new car. Running your credit isn’t necessary to quote pricing. Be armed with information and know your credit score before you even get to the lot. Any dealership should be able to give you approximate payments or finance rates based on the score you say you have. And, when giving your score, be honest – being dishonest will only set you up for disappointment later in the transaction.

2) You don’t need put all your cards on the table. This means, you don’t necessarily need to say what you plan to spend. Allow the dealership to pitch you a price first. For all you know it may be well within, or even below your budget. Also, and if you can avoid it, don’t give an indication of your ‘need’ for a new car or any time sensitivity around it. The pressure’s on when you do.

3) Unless an incentive program is coming to an end – which you can find out by looking online before your dealership visit – know that ‘this weekend only’ or ‘today only’ is almost never true. It is, however, something that is frequently (and falsely) said to create the sense that there is the risk of losing an opportunity.

4) Don’t believe everything you hear. If you’re at a Honda store, you’re bound to hear why their product is superior to their competitors’. That’s because they can’t sell you or help you with those products, so they have no choice but to tout their own. That’s understandable, but be sure that if you’re looking at multiple cars, that you do your research in advance of making a decision, or that you work with an unbiased 3rd party.

5) Don’t count on pricing you’ve been quoted over the phone. It’s all too often that when pricing is given over the phone, that important pieces of information are missing (like sales tax, registration and other fees) or that words are misunderstood. In a lease, for instance, a ‘down payment’ is money that is paid on top of what are called normal lease drive-offs. Don’t make the trip unless you’ve crossed your ‘t’s’ and dotted your ‘i’s’.

6) Don’t hide things that you know about a vehicle you’re trading in – like previously repaired damage, things malfunctioning or not working, or previous accidents. Believe it or not, every dealership has trade disclosures stating that if you misrepresented your trade-in, and even after closing the transaction, that your trade value is subject to change. Be honest about what you know.

7) If you haven’t done any research in advance of your visit to a dealership, don’t make any decisions on the spot. Gather the information you need, leave, think about it, do any appropriate research or comparisons, and then make a decision.

If you have questions about any of the above, and you’re looking for some strategies around your next visit to a dealership, feel free to call us. And, know that over the years, we’ve learned from our clients about the things that people don’t like that dealerships do, so we just don’t do them. Happy car shopping!

The post Car Buying and What NOT To Do! appeared first on Drivewise Auto.

The truth is that if a thief wants to steal your car, there’s very little you can do to prevent that from happening – professional car thieves know exactly what to do, and how to make your car disappear without leaving so much as a trace. But, not every car thief is a professional, so we thought we’d provide some info that might help prevent your vehicle from being stolen or broken into, or both! And, while some of the below may seem plainly obvious, they are things that many of us don’t do because we get into a comfort zone of believing “it couldn’t happen to me” or “not where I live” or “it’s never happened before,” or otherwise. In truth, car theft and burglary can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere.

Try these easy tips which may not eliminate all risk, but can significantly reduce it:
Never leave your car unlocked, even if just for a few minutes.
Never leave your keys in your car.
Don’t leave valuables in your car, and if you have to, leave them where they are not in plain sight.
Never leave your car running, or unattended.
Even on hot days, don’t leave your windows open. No, not even a little bit.
Instead of storing your registration/title/paperwork with your name/address in your car, carry it with you. (Note – if you let someone else drive your car, they need to have at least the registration and proof of insurance with them.)
When parking, park in a well lit area, and if in a parking garage, not near the entrance or exit.
Don’t leave a spare key inside, or attached to your vehicle. They’re too easy to find.
If you don’t have one, think about adding an alarm system with an ‘ignition kill’ to your vehicle.
Remove any portable electronic devices from sight, and if possible from the car – navigation systems, iPods, etc. Even leaving loose cords in the car is an indication to a car thief or burglar that the items normally connected to those cords are in the car.
If you have any valuable items in your car, don’t move them from one location to another in the car while in public view.
Unfortunately, and even doing all of the above, more than one million vehicles are stolen annually. If your car gets stolen, be sure to call the police and file a report, and to also call your insurance carrier.

Thoughts? Questions? Give us a call, and we’d be happy to help.

The post Car Theft and Burglary on The Rise – Cut Down Your Risk appeared first on Drivewise Auto.

Until the issue is resolved, we can best be reached by phone, so please call 818.345.5555.

Thank you for your patience in working through this! We truly appreciate it!

The post Uh-oh! We’re having email issues! appeared first on Drivewise Auto.

*as adapted from an Edmunds.com article. To read the full article, visit: http://www.edmunds.com/car-leasing/5-car-lease-strategies-you-didnt-know-about.html*

A lease contract can be both economical and flexible if you know the options that are available to customize the contract to your personal situation and budget.

As leasing grows in popularity, banks offer more finance options to serve a broader range of shoppers. However, only experts know many of these strategies. Furthermore, the rules of leasing programs are always changing, and not all lenders offer these options.

Here are five leasing strategies that can cut costs and customize leasing for your individual situation.

1. Make multiple REFUNDABLE security deposits to reduce your interest rate.
In most leasing contracts, the security deposit (if there is one) is equal to one month’s payment rounded up to the nearest $50. So, if your monthly payment is $425, the security deposit is $450. If you agree to pay two or more fully refundable security deposits, the leasing company reduces the interest rate because its risk is lower. A lower money factor means a reduced monthly payment.

This option isn’t available for all leasing programs, and many lenders limit the number of security deposits that you can use. However, if you have the money and you are not investing it, this strategy can sometimes save $1,000 or more over the three years of the lease.

2. Take advantage of a One-Pay Lease
A similar strategy to the multiple security deposits is the one-pay lease. A major benefit of leasing is that you know exactly what your total automotive expenses are for the length of the lease. In a one-pay lease you make all the payments upfront, and the leasing company reduces your interest rate in return for their having all of the money owed to them at the onset of the lease. By taking advantage of a lower interest rate, the overall cost of the lease decreases, sometimes drastically.

3. Continue your lease month-to-month until you are ready to get your next car.
Some people panic as the end of their lease approaches because they don’t know what car they will get next, but many leasing companies will allow you to keep the car on a month-to-month basis which can buy you time when it comes to your decision making process about your next car. Be mindful here, however, of registration and other fees that may come as a result of extending your lease.

4. It’s easier than you think to transfer your lease before the end of the contract.
According to SwapaLease, it is possible to transfer about 80 percent of leases with no strings attached. SwapaLease and its rival LeaseTrader connect lessees with people to take over the lease and, for a fee, handle the paperwork.

5. Customize the mileage to suit your needs.
Often, people say “‘I can’t lease because I drive too many miles.” Most people know that traditional leases are limited to 10k, 12k and 15k miles per year. Some lenders, though, are now offering leases with as low as 7500 miles per year. And, for those that do drive more than 15k miles per year, leases can be customized to any number of miles driven/allowed per year.

The post Strategize Around Your Next Car Lease! appeared first on Drivewise Auto.

Whether to put money down on a leased vehicle or not seems to be one of the questions we’re most frequently asked. Really, there is no single correct answer to the question. Like most things having to do with finances, the advice people can find around how to spend money can vary from one source to the next.

Vehicle leases and the “right” way to structure a lease is no different. If you ask around, you’re bound to get more than several “correct” answers varying from the recommendation that you put no money down at all (as in, sign and drive), to recommendations that you put a large sum down so that the lease payments are lower.

The truth is that the answer to the question of putting or not putting money down on a leased vehicle, and how much, is very personal and depends on how each person ‘sees’ money and where their personal financial parameters and ‘comfort zones’ lay.

In dollars and cents, putting money down on a leased vehicle and putting no money down makes very little difference, if any, to an the overall expenditure over the lease term.

Without getting too technical, and for example, a car that leases for $505 per month over the course of a 36 month lease with absolutely nothing to start (truly $0) will run $17,675 over the course of the lease – the total of 35 payments at $403 each. That same car with $3500 spent at lease inception will run $403 per month, yielding a total lease expenditure of $17605 – the total of 35 payments at $403 each, plus the initial $3500. So, spending the $3500 up front and at the beginning of the lease saves a total of $75 over the course of 3 years.

Where does the difference come from? In a lease, the primary costs that you pay for are depreciation and interest. Whether you put money down on a car or not, the total depreciation that you have to pay does not change. It’s fixed. But, you do have to finance that depreciation at an interest rate set by the leasing company. The more money you put down, the less depreciation you are ‘borrowing’ and the less interest you have to pay.

But why so little a difference? For this particular example, the reason for the small gap between the total expenditure in putting or not putting money down is because the interest rate attached to the lease is very low (less than 1%). However, the greater the interest rate attached to the lease, the greater the difference each $1000 put down at the beginning of a lease can make to the overall expenditure. Still, in today’s leasing environment, we almost never see interest rates go any higher than 4%, and even at 4% the ‘total expenditure spread’ isn’t very large. But, putting money down does reduce the monthly payment because you are paying the depreciation of the vehicle ‘down’ at the onset instead of over the course of the lease. Confused? It can be confusing.

At the end of the day, putting money down on a lease really becomes a matter of personal preference. Our general rule of thumb tells us to recommend that if our clients can be comfortable with a lease payment without putting any money down, that they shouldn’t. Their down payment funds are best kept in the bank or invested – working for them and earning interest.

On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with someone who puts money down so that they have a more palatable monthly payment, if they anticipated the down payment spend and have a certain monthly budget in mind. Using the example above, there are plenty of people who feel far more comfortable ‘forking over’ $3500 to start and having a $403 monthly payment than a $505 monthly payment. Both scenarios are near the same, but they ‘feel’ completely different from one another, and one is not ‘better’ than the other.

Long story, short…there’s no right or wrong when it comes to lease down payments. We do, however, have some baseline recommendations. Those are:
If you can, pay your first month’s payment, tax on that payment, and all of the lease fees up front. Not doing so just means that you are rolling these expenses into the remaining payments due on the lease, with interest.
Don’t put more than $5000 down on a lease. The greater the amount invested at the onset of the lease, the less likely it becomes that the victim of a car theft or total loss will recover those funds.
Leasing can seem very tricky to some, particularly to those who have never leased before. If you have questions, we’ll have or find answers. And, we’re always on your side trying to make sure that whatever decision you make, makes sense for you and your personal circumstances.

The post Lease Down Payments – Thumbs up, or down? appeared first on Drivewise Auto.