Top 5 Best Pre-Owned Fords and Chevys

Are you looking for a car that will perform well for a much lower price than you might normally have to pay? Well, you've come to the right place, here at Gentilini Motors in South Jersey! Buying a pre-owned vehicle can be a stressful process if you aren't sure where to look or which cars give you the most bang for your buck. After all, if you're new to the process, the ins and outs of certified pre-owned, CARFAX checking, and mileage are probably things that you have never had to contend with before. Never fear! If you're looking the highest quality pre-owned cars in New Jersey, we've put together a list of our top five favorite Chevy and Ford vehicles to keep in mind, based on features such as reliability and performance.

1.  Ford Fusion: This comfortable sedan offers a spacious interior, responsive driving dynamics, sturdy build quality and a striking design. This vehicle also offers something that is particularly rare: a sporty driving personality alongside its many practical features.

2.  Ford F-150: There is a very good reason that the Ford F-150 has been the top-selling truck in America for the past 30 years. The truck features a large number of cab styles and trim options, a comfortable cabin with ergonomic seating, on-point, fluid steering and response, some of the best brakes in the business and smooth power plants.

3.  Chevy Corvette: This beloved sports car almost epitomizes the style and is an incredibly affordable example of it by almost every reckoning. The performance is something that you might expect out of a vehicle that costs well over $100,000, so for those who are looking for value, speed, and style, there's nothing better!

4.  Ford Mustang: The Ford Mustang GT is another smart performance buy for the price. If classic cars are your thing, these are an especially good option, as you can get the style of a '60s muscle car without the steep pricing or the hard-to-find auto parts. The newer models pack a big powerful punch, boasting 412 horsepower for the 2011 and 2012 editions, and over 420 in some of the newer ones.

5.  The Ford Escape: For years, the Ford Escape has been one of the best-selling crossover SUVs in the country. The manufacturer hit the nail on the head by successfully uniting the four-wheel-drive capability and design of a traditional SUV with the more compact size and driver-friendliness of a midsize vehicle.

If you are looking for performance and style in a certified pre-owned car in NJ, we've got it here at Gentilini Motors. Come take a test drive today!

Should You Buy a Certified Pre-owned Car or New Car?

Many prospective car buyers in the Garden State will question whether or not they should buy a new or used car. While new cars offer the highest level of safety and performance, they are also much more expensive. Still, some will ask whether you can put a dollar value on peace of mind as a used car is more likely to come with issues. This is where a certified pre-owned car could make the difference.

What Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean?

Car manufacturers have factory certification programs in place to provide car buyers with affordable, but high performance vehicles. In order to achieve this, they have in place a point system inspection where they examine the automobile. The point system usually includes a checklist of 100 points or more. If there is a problem with the automobile, they will fix it before it goes to the lot and is certified pre-owned.

What Kind of Vehicles Are Certified Pre-Owned?

Because of the scrutiny involved with the inspection process, manufacturers will only choose the cream of the crop. Most car makers will have a set of criteria in place based on mileage and year to narrow the field. You can typically find automobiles of all types and makers that are certified pre-owned at your local dealer.

Should You Buy a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle?

According to a Kelley Blue Book survey, those who are looking for new cars are typically the ones who purchase a certified pre-owned vehicle. This is because certified pre-owned vehicles are usually more expensive than non-certified used models, and used car buyers tend to rank affordability as their number one concern. Still, many certified pre-owned vehicles are priced affordably, so used car buyers shouldn't dismiss purchasing one right away.

New car buyers who want the safety, performance and dependability of a new vehicle but are looking for affordability as well should consider a certified pre-owned vehicle in NJ. All factory-certified vehicles will come with a limited warranty, so dependability isn't a concern. In addition to that, they are thoroughly tested, so you might have the safety and performance of a new vehicle at a much more manageable price.

Is It Possible to Get a Good Deal on a Lease?

All of us have daydreamed of driving out of the lot with a brand new car, but how many of us are able to do this? Unfortunately, purchasing a new car can be quite expensive, which is why leasing offers a special opportunity to get behind the wheel of a new car without taking out a loan. However, leasing isn't always the best option, depending on your circumstances. Therefore, before we discuss how to get a good deal on a lease, let's take a look at the optimal leasing customer:

Who Should Lease?

• Someone who wants a new car but doesn't want the depreciation
• Someone who doesn't have enough cash or wants a car that's above his or her pay grade
• Someone who is meticulous about keeping the car in good condition
• Someone who wants the highest level of technology at all times
• Someone who won't log an extreme amount of miles driven per year

How Can You Get a Good Deal on a Lease?

Once you have determined that you are the type of person who would do better with leasing an automobile, it is time to find a leasing deal with favorable terms. In order to accomplish this, it will take some research and preparation.

First and foremost, you'll need to pick a car that matches your budget and needs. Make a list of several car types and models that fits your criteria. Once you come up with a list, it's time to research dealers in your area to see what offers are available. 

There are usually special lease deals available. For example, if you live in the Garden State, do a search on great car lease deals in NJ, and you're bound to find some special priced models, especially if the dealership is trying to move automobiles to make room for next year's models.

In addition to searching for deals, there are several tried and true ways to get the best deal on a lease. Remember to focus on the price of the car and not the monthly payments. Take a test drive and discuss any safety or performance features that are special with this model. Finally, remember to compare lease deals among several dealerships. You may be able to create more room for negotiation if you do.

3 Rules of the Off-Roading World

So you've been off-roading a bunch of times – maybe with friends, or maybe you rented a vehicle – and now you're thinking about investing in a truck of your own so that you can indulge in your favorite outdoor activity more often. That's great! However, before you walk into our dealership and grab the first truck you see, you may want to do a little research on the subject. Thankfully, we've compiled some information here to help you decide what will suit you best. Maybe one of our exclusive Rocky Ridge lifted trucks? Here are some tips on things to look for in a good off-roading vehicle:

Ground Clearance

It may seem obvious, but a low-to-the-ground vehicle is not exactly ideal for off-roading. After all, half of the point is to take on thin trails and rocky obstacles that your average car wouldn't even dream of. You need a certain amount of space between the bottom of your truck and the ground for the endeavor to be safe or even plausible. Otherwise, you'll do serious damage to your vehicle and end up stranded on the side of the road within ten minutes of starting out.

Wheel Articulation

When off-roading, it's incredibly important to keep all wheels on the ground as much as possible to maintain traction, which is what the term "wheel articulation" refers to. However, there are two major methods for achieving this: a solid axle or independent suspension.

A solid axle connects the two wheels (front or back) with a single bar and keeps them level. Independent suspension joins them by a differential that allows for the independent movement of each wheel. Because a solid axle raises the entire front or back of the truck up when encountering an obstacle, the underside is less likely to be damaged, making this the preferred suspension for many off-roaders. However, for higher speeds on flatter terrains with fewer large rocks (such as one might encounter in desert racing), independent suspension offers the smoothest ride.

Skid Plates

When dealing with jutting obstacles like rocks and tree trunks, sometimes having the right suspension and ground clearance simply isn't enough. If you happen to scrape the belly of your vehicle anyway, you might rupture your gas tank and end your trip very quickly. That's where skid plates come in. Skid plates are essentially armor for the underside of your truck. By using them, you can ensure the best protection for yourselves and your vehicle and ensure a good time out instead of a long wait for a tow.

At Gentilini Motors, we offer a wide selection of trucks, and are the only Rocky Ridge Trucks dealers in the South Jersey area. Come into our dealership to see these unique offerings today!