Three Cars that Prove Frugal can be Fun

New Jersey is a state that can be pretty expensive for drivers – it's one of the most expensive in the country as far as car insurance goes, and let's not even get into gas prices. For a lot of drivers, this means that cost, in terms of both car prices and fuel efficiency, is a big factor in deciding which vehicle to get.

Nobody ever said that was a bad thing. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of vehicles that fall into the category of cost-efficient that are still well-loved among drivers across the country. These models are on the list of the ten cheapest cars in America, but still received great customer reviews – see for yourself!

Chevy Spark

Believe it or not, some of the most well-loved subcompact vehicles on the market right now are made by US manufacturers, and the Spark definitely falls into that category. It may be small, but it definitely packs a punch: it's as space-efficient as it is fuel-efficient, with a unique seat design that offers plenty of storage room. Owners of the Spark can vouch for the fact that it's a lot of fun to drive, and if you're a driver that loves to own something flashy, you'll love that the color options consist of a cerulean blue and baby pink. At 32 MPG city and 38 on the highway, it's the perfect option for frequent city drivers and commuters alike. Its humble base price is a mere $12,185.

Ford Fiesta

With a base price of just $13,200, the Ford Fiesta is a small car with a big personality. It's definitely roomier than the Spark – after all, it is a four-door – and it definitely appeals to any driver who loves the design of European vehicles, especially in terms of the interior. Good things come in small packages is what they say, and that's definitely true of the Fiesta, which has all the modern technology features you'd expect to see and more in a brand new vehicle. You can dress it up with ambient interior lighting, enjoy a practical hatchback, and customize this car in a lot of other ways. This is another vehicle that's got a forward color palette to choose from, ranging from a lime shade called "Green Envy," a rusty "Molten Orange," the classic "Tuxedo Black" and "Storm Gray" and many others. Best of all, they're gas-friendly, offering an average of 29 city MPG and 39 on the highway.

Chevy Sonic

Because of its impressive 26 city/35 highway MPG and agreeable base price of just over $14 thousand, NJ Chevy dealers consistently say they can't recommend the Chevy Sonic enough. Some drivers have even said on the reviews that the gas mileage is better than advertised. Manual-lovers can get their fix with an incredibly smooth and responsive shifting transmission, and its suspension is among the most impressive in its class, making it the perfect car to take anywhere. If you're a frugal shopper looking for a little more room, the Sonic is the car for you – most drivers are a fan of its sharp hatchback option.

What is Check For Trade? Take Advantage Now!

We love pre-owned vehicles, and so do our customers. Lately, our pre-owned inventory has been flying off the lots, and at Gentilini Motors, we pride ourselves on only selling high-quality pre-owned vehicles to our customers. That's why we've implemented the "Check for Trade" program – so that both we and the buyers can benefit!

We're trying to replenish our pre-owned inventory with the best used vehicles around. If you've got a used vehicle in great shape, Gentilini wants it. In fact, we'll help you to trade up and lower your monthly payments in return. We've got plenty of new and gently used vehicles – Fords, Chevys, even Rocky Ridge Chevy trucks for sale just in time for tailgating season – and we want to give you a check for your used vehicle so that you can drive home in something nicer, newer, and with less expensive payments.

The deal is only ongoing until November 2nd, and Gentilini Motors is ready, check-in-hand. Depending on the condition and mileage of your vehicle, we might be ready to hand it over today. If you're ready to upgrade your vehicle, make an appointment before it's too late. You never know, your vehicle might be worth more than you think!

Remember, even if you come to Gentilini to buy or trade for a pre-owned vehicle, it's important to check out our Certified Pre-Owned deal. For your satisfaction, every Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sold at Gentilini Motors comes with Quality Assurance: warranty coverage, a tank of gas, fresh oil and filter, and new wiper blades, to boot. We're currently running internet specials that offer interest rates as low as 1.9%.

If you've been thinking about buying or trading, now is the time to do it! Our fall specials can't be beat.

Myths in Car-Buying: Not All Used Vehicles are Certified Pre-Owned…and it Matters

The more we recover from the recession, the more used car prices are dropping. Since used vehicles are a commodity, the fact that people are now more able to avoid new cars means that the demand for used cars has dropped. As a result, now is an attractive time to buy used.

That being said, buying a used vehicle requires being a bit more savvy than buying a new one. You have to know what you're looking for, you have to trust your dealer, and you have to shop around more since the market is so inconsistent.

One myth that a lot of prospective used car buyers seem to believe is that "used" and "certified pre-owned" are synonymous, and it's important to recognize that this is not the case. "Certified pre-owned" isn't just an embellished term that car dealerships use to make used cars sound fancier. In order to be certified, a vehicle must adhere to a fairly strict list of standards and pass a number of tests run by the manufacturer. Only after meeting these standards and passing these tests can it gain the exclusive title of "certified pre-owned."

The Benefits of Buying CPO

You can probably already infer that buying CPO is much more advantageous than buying a vehicle that hasn't been certified. It helps to take the risk out of buying a vehicle that has a previous owner, and therefore, you get peace of mind with your purchase since it has been thoroughly inspected.

Every manufacturer has its own set of standards, but they are all quite similar. For example, if you find a Ford vehicle, you know that the vehicle has travelled back to the manufacturer to ensure that it has passed 172 points of inspection; has a clean title and vehicle history report; has been equipped with a full tank of gas, new oil, a new filter, and new wiper blades; and comes with a warranty. Ford also offers flexible financing with Ford Credit when buyers purchase a Ford CPO vehicle.

Ford, like many other manufacturers, also offers a 12-month/12,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty – which covers most potential issues that could possibly be discovered -,  roadside assistance, and a free vehicle history report. 

Where to Buy

When buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, check to see if dealerships near you offer specials on them. For example, NJ Ford dealers frequently offer special sales and financing rates on CPO vehicles around holidays and toward the end of the model year. Most importantly, go with a dealership you trust.

Gentilini Motors | Best South Jersey Car Dealer | Ford & Chevy Dealer Re...

Gentilini Chevy | Best Chevy Dealer | Car Dealer Review

Finding the Perfect Vehicle for Your Fall Trip -- and Your Life

As the crisp temperatures of fall begin to settle in around the South Jersey area and the bright colors of the season begin to manifest, you may be contemplating a trip to the Poconos (or perhaps further) for some fall leaf "peeping." However, you need a car in order to do so and maybe you're not too sure of your old vehicle's ability to handle any long treks. In fact, you've been thinking about getting a new one for a while now and this might be just the excuse that you need to make it happen.

However, it's been years since the last time you got a new car and you're understandably nervous about choosing a new vehicle. Not only may your circumstances have changed (better job, more family members, etc.), but there seem to be more vehicle styles, shapes, models, and accessories than ever! So, where do you begin?

The buying process may seem a little overwhelming, but the following tips should take a great deal of stress out of the process. 

Who is the Car for? 

The first thing that you need to do is to consider not only who will be driving the new car, but who will be the regular passengers. For instance, the number of children or people that you carpool with might have some bearing on whether you get a minivan or a compact. Is the car for your spouse? Make sure he/she gets a say in everything from the color to the storage space. Go camping a lot with friends? That equipment and the people that you are traveling with may make an SUV a solid option (not to mention the off-road capacity). 

Finances

Before you look at or test drive anything, it's important to come up with a budget that makes sense for your financial situation. After all, the last thing that you want is to end up falling in love with a car and find that you really can't afford it. Take a look at how much you spend a month now, and then figure in the cost of new monthly car payments, insurance, gas, and any incidentals or maintenance. When you head into the dealership, be firm with the dealers and insist on only looking at cars within your price range. 

Other Factors

Now that you have established some requirements, you can start considering your preferences. Consider the following:

• Is satellite radio something that you've wanted for years?
• Maybe you'd feel more secure having a rear vision camera.
• Perhaps you have a long commute and finding a car that gets good gas mileage should be a priority.
• Make sure to test drive any vehicle that you are considering to make sure that you are comfortable in it.
• Whether you have children or not, don't forget to research any car you are thinking about getting for safety ratings!

If you're going to be using the car for your fall trip and any other long distance travel that you might engage in in the future, then maybe you want to consider getting a vehicle with a DVD player to keep the kids entertained for the long haul. Perhaps you'll want to have a separate climate control for the front and back, so that when you get hot in the front because the sun is shining on you, the kids won't have to freeze when you turn on the air. 

Shopping for a car means making a lot of decisions, both before you visit any of the car dealerships in South Jersey and once you arrive. If possible, bring at least one of your potential passengers with you when shopping to get a second opinion. And take your time! With some effort, consideration, and research, you'll find the perfect vehicle, both for your fall getaway and your life.