Category Archives: New Inventory

What 0% Financing Really Means

What 0% Financing Really Means… 
For years, you’ve heard the advertisements for zero percent financing on your favorite new vehicles. But what does that mean? No interest financing means you can borrow money from a lender, for free! The money you are borrowing is exactly the amount you’ll be paying back. You won’t pay any additional fees on that loan. What exactly does that mean for you? Depending on how much you’re borrowing, and how long you have to pay it back, that means you could save thousands of dollars on your loan! 

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The Best Navigation Apps

The days of paper maps folded haphazardly in the glove box are over! Technology has made them obsolete. Now, we get turn-by-turn directions in the palm of our hands, at the touch of a finger. Over the years, navigation devices and applications have grown by leaps and bounds. From a separate GPS device to a built-in touch screen in our vehicles – and, now, on every mobile device – navigation applications and maps have become practically omnipresent. Now the question is: which navigation app is best?

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Should I Turn In or Buy Out My Lease?

Your lease is almost up. What are you going to do? Of course, you can turn it in. Sometimes it’s almost as easy as just handing over the keys. But sometimes you may owe money for mileage overages, wear and tear or accidental damage. Did you know that you might have another option? Have you ever considered buying out your lease? Most lease contracts allow you to purchase your leased vehicle for a pre-specified buyout price. Just like buying a used car, you can often finance that amount or simply pay it in full, in cash. But should you? There are several things to consider before making that decision.

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Latest Car Technologies You Didn’t Know You Needed

 
Today’s cars are more than just transportation; they’re sophisticated machines packed with cutting-edge technology designed to enhance safety, convenience, and driving pleasure. While some tech features, such as Bluetooth connectivity and backup cameras, have become standard, there’s a wave of new automotive technologies transforming the driving experience—some you might not even know existed, but will quickly realize you can’t live without.

 

One standout innovation is adaptive cruise control (ACC). Unlike traditional cruise control, ACC automatically adjusts your vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe following distance from the car ahead, even in stop-and-go traffic. This reduces driver fatigue, enhances safety, and can help mitigate the stress of congested commutes.

Another exciting advancement is the 360-degree camera system. This tech stitches together images from multiple cameras around your vehicle, giving you a comprehensive overhead view displayed on your infotainment screen. Ideal for parking in tight spots, navigating crowded streets, or avoiding obstacles, this system significantly improves driver visibility and confidence.

Automakers have also started integrating advanced heads-up displays (HUD). Modern HUD systems project critical information, such as speed, navigation instructions, and safety alerts, directly onto the windshield within the driver’s line of sight. This minimizes distractions, allowing drivers to stay focused on the road ahead.

Lane-keeping assist and lane-centering technologies are becoming increasingly common, too. These systems gently steer your vehicle back into its lane if it detects unintentional drifting, providing enhanced safety and peace of mind, especially on long highway drives. Paired with blind-spot monitoring—which alerts drivers when another vehicle is in their blind spot—these technologies significantly decrease the risk of accidents related to lane changes.

Wireless charging pads, once a luxury feature, are now more accessible than ever. By simply placing your compatible smartphone on a designated charging pad within the car, you can charge your device without cumbersome cords and connectors, ensuring you arrive at your destination with a fully charged phone.

Another innovation gaining traction is remote vehicle management via smartphone apps. These intuitive apps allow drivers to remotely start engines, lock and unlock doors, check fuel levels, and even set climate controls ahead of entering the car. Imagine stepping into a warm, defrosted vehicle on a cold winter morning or a cooled-down car during the summer heat—these apps make everyday driving more comfortable and convenient.

Finally, there’s the rise of biometric vehicle access. Automakers are beginning to integrate fingerprint and facial recognition technology to unlock and start vehicles, adding an extra layer of security beyond traditional keys or key fobs.

As automotive technology rapidly evolves, these innovative features are transforming the driving experience from routine to remarkable. While some may initially seem unnecessary, once experienced, drivers quickly realize the substantial benefits these advanced technologies offer—providing convenience, enhancing safety, and fundamentally reshaping our expectations of what modern vehicles can do. Check out all the new tech in your favorite models at the Folsom Auto Mall today!

EVs and Hybrids. The Pros and Pros list.

 

So you want to do your part to have cleaner air. Or maybe you just wanna save on fuel costs. You’re looking to compare electric vehicles and hybrids. It’s tough to compare when there’s only upside to both. To help make your buying experience a little more informed, we have jotted down all the benefits of these two electrified powertrains.

The pros of buying an electric vehicle

Save money on fuel
Yes, you really do save money by purchasing an electric vehicle. The average home in the United States spends about 1/5 of its yearly income on transportation.* Each year the average fuel savings a family can expect to receive from their electric vehicle is around $1,000.** The cost to fully charge a 60-kilowatt-hour (kWh) EV with more than 230 miles of range at home is less than $8. Plus, energy prices don’t fluctuate as much as oil does, so budgeting for your electric vehicle can be more consistent.

Zero Tailpipe Emissions
In full-electric mode, an electric car produces zero tailpipe emissions, dramatically lowering smog and greenhouse gas emissions. Cleaner cars mean cleaner air and better health. California and the world are already seeing the impacts of greenhouse gases and climate change, so contributing to a cleaner future is another pro of electric vehicles!

Lower Maintenance Costs
Electric motors have fewer moving parts and never require oil changes, new spark plugs, or fuel filters. Regenerative braking also extends the life span of brake pads by using the electric motor to slow down the vehicle. These things all translate to drastically lowering overall maintenance costs. It’s not just fuel savings, folks!

Tax Credits and Incentives
Whether you buy or lease, when it comes to an electric car you could get money back. There are federal, state and local incentives to bring down the cost of that electric car of your dreams.

The pros of buying a hybrid car

Save money on fuel
Because your car is part EV and part gas-powered you are going to see significant savings at the pump. Hybrids have highly efficient engines that can switch to electric power for fuel instead of always relying on gas. This means far fewer trips to the pump.

You may help save the environment
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average passenger vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually,*** plus other pollutants like methane and nitrous oxide – all greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. By choosing to drive a hybrid, you are contributing less greenhouse gases than a normal gas-burning vehicle.

No “range anxiety”
With a hybrid, especially a plug-in hybrid, you have the distinct benefit of being able to run your car on electric power or gas. That means that if you are low on fuel, the battery can get you to the pump. And if you’re low on battery, the gas power can get you home.

Whether you’re behind the wheel of an EV or a hybrid, you’ll be driving our planet into a cleaner future. So if you’re not ready to go totally electric just yet, choose a hybrid…but if you really want zero tailpipe emissions, give the EV a shot. The good news is we have both types of vehicles at The Folsom Auto Mall. Visit us today and choose a Buick, GMC, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Chevrolet, Toyota, Hyundai, KIA, Nissan or Ford. Test drive an EV and a hybrid. Ask us any questions you might have. We’re happy to help!

* https://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-6/how-do-united-states-consumer-expenditures-compare-with-the-united-kingdom-and-japan.htm
** Average fuel savings of $1,000 is based on the averages of annual consumer mileage in the U.S., vehicle miles per gallon, cost of gasoline, EV efficiency and Duke Energy residential rates
*** https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle