These days you can buy just about anything online. The convenience and ease of having something delivered to your door is hard to beat. And while you can buy a car online, it may not always be the best option. There are plenty of reasons why buying a car in person is still the best choice. These are Whitten Brothers Automotive’s top five reasons to buy a car in person in Richmond and Ashland.
Buying a car online has a lot of appeal, but there are some aspects of car shopping that you just can’t get on the internet. These are the top five biggest benefits of buying a car in person from your local new and used car dealership.
1. Test Drive
One of the most important reasons to buy a car in person is the ability to test drive one or more vehicles. If you’ve found one you like that’s on the lot, you can easily schedule a visit or stop by the showroom to test drive it. If you’re not sure what make, model, or body style you want, you can test drive a few different vehicles to see if a car, truck, van, or SUV is best suited to your needs.
Test driving a vehicle before purchasing is crucial as this is the only way to know if it’s a good fit for you. A test drive allows you to experience everything firsthand from the performance to the interior features. You’ll know immediately whether or not the car, truck, van, or SUV is a comfortable drive. This can help narrow down your search or point you in a different direction. Test drives also give you the opportunity to make sure that everything is working properly, and you can ask questions of the highly trained Sales Advocates if anything feels off.
Before or after the test drive, it’s also a good idea to inspect the tires, exterior, interior, upholstery, engine, lights, and turn signals to ensure everything is in good working order.
Car shopping in person at a new and used car dealership gives you peace of mind and saves you from having to pay for potentially costly repairs soon after buying.
2. Trade-In Value
Trading in your current vehicle is another way to save when shopping for a new or used vehicle. Most dealerships, including Whitten Brothers Automotive, accept trade-in vehicles. You can quickly and easily get your vehicle’s trade-in value online. The trade-in value can be used as a down payment or to help offset the cost of your new or used car, truck, van, or SUV. Trading in your current vehicle also saves you from having to sell it yourself, which can be a hassle. Instead, everything is taken care of all in one place.
3. Potential for Incentives
Another great benefit of buying a car from your local Ashland or Richmond dealership is that you can take advantage of new vehicle specials and used vehicle specials. Automakers often offer incentives such as 0% financing or dollars off your purchase. Dealerships may also offer incentives or sales. Many dealerships have special programs for military members, students, and first responders to help these groups save on their vehicle purchases.
4. Help Arranging Financing
Working with a dealership like Whitten Brothers Automotive means that your auto financing can be arranged in-house as well. We have long-standing relationships with several Virginia banks and credit unions and can help you secure an auto loan or lease that fits your budget. With in-house financing, you save time because you don’t have to reach out to multiple institutions yourself. You can get pre-approved online, which helps streamline the car buying process. Our goal is to provide a fun, stress-free experience from start to finish!
5. Transparency
Our Richmond and Ashland CDJR and Mazda dealerships offer transparent, competitive pricing on all new and used vehicles. All used vehicles undergo an inspection before they’re sold, and we disclose information like the number of previous owners, any previous accidents, and any major repairs so you have a full understanding of the vehicle’s history before making a purchase. If you buy a vehicle online, there’s not necessarily a guarantee of transparency, especially if you buy from a private seller.
Whitten Brothers Automotive has more than 100 years of history in the automotive industry. We’re a family-owned business with two CDJR dealerships in Richmond and Ashland and one Mazda dealership in Richmond. We have a great inventory of new Mazda, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles, as well as an extensive selection of used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs from popular manufacturers. We invite you to visit one of our showrooms to speak with a Sales Advocate, learn about The Whitten Advantage, and experience the benefits of buying a car in person. For questions or to schedule a visit, contact us today!