The “new normal” 200,000 miles…

  During the 60’s and 70’s the typical automobile in America reached the end of its life right around 100,000 miles. Buying a car with 100k on the odometer was the equivalent of testing your luck. Even though it seems that 100k has stuck with consumers as a maximum mile marker to buy a used car, experts say modern cars haven’t even reached the half-way point of their lifetime at 100k miles. In today’s market, cars can expect to see a lifetime of 250,000 miles or more. New car dealers have felt the “Catch-22” of building better automobiles over the past few decades. Makers have to build better automobiles to attract buyers, but building better automobiles also means consumers keep their cars longer. New car makers have always tried to figure out how to build better cars without making consumers less likely to upgrade later, and profits have been affected by consumers who are in no hurry to get out of a car that still runs well.
The automobiles of the past are nothing like the automobiles of today. Without delving too deep into technological advancement, mechanical design, fuel efficiency, modern electronics and improvements in quality standards, cars are simply made better today. They are safer and last longer. The average age of an automobile on the road today is 11.1 years old. Considering age and the EPA national driving average of 15,000 miles annually, the typical automobile would have about 165,000 miles on the dash. Consumers are holding on to their cars for longer than ever before, and for a variety of reasons. Technological improvements have many models driving without problem for hundreds of thousands of miles.  The automobiles of today are built to last more than 200,000 miles with simple regular care. That fact is reinforced by makers like Hyundai and Kia which now include 10 year/100,000 miles warranties on their models. Cars with over a million miles have been documented all over. Those are exceptional cases, but the new normal is well made brands like Honda, Volvo, Hyundai and Toyota being sold with 150,000 miles or more to consumers looking for affordable and reliable transportation.

While the majority of the change in the type of automobile on the road today can be credited to better made automobiles, the recession also played a part. People uncertain about their financial future or dealing with financial hardship related to the recession held on to their automobiles. For years, the gap between purchases of new cars and used car has been growing steadily. For every new car sold in the US any given year, 2.5 used vehicles are sold. For 2013, consumers purchased 44 million used cars and only 17 million new cars. New age consumers, equipped with access to unlimited information and aggregated access to thousands of local dealers that post their inventory online are less likely to accept the huge depreciation losses when buying a new car. A new car loses 11% of its value in the minute after purchase. After five years, consumers lose 37% of the initial value.

For many consumers, the odometer is the most important part in researching their purchase, and it’s still smart to consider miles. It’s not smart to only consider mileage. If you consider the fact that a car will last 100,000 even with owners that completely disregard maintenance, a car with less than 100,000 miles may actually carry more of a risk. When you find an automobile that has 150,000 or more miles, you know the car was well maintained and still running most likely due to regular care. For car buyers, the decision should be based on the quality of the automobile. Buyers should look at reliable makes and indications of regular care over anything else. Mileage should not decide your purchase for you. As with most other things, research and information will help you make the best decision. As cars get better, and consumers get smarter, considerations like mileage become less rigid.

If you’re in the looking for an affordable, quality automobile, check out our inventory page.

Posted 09/05/2016 in Siry Auto Group Blog

Car Buying, Mileage, Used Cars, Siry Auto Group

A Look at the Essentials of Summer Maintenance for Your Vehicle

The summer season has arrived, and now is a fantastic time to plan a road trip. When you purchase a car from a dealership offering cars for sale in San Diego or Chula Vista, CA, you are sure to be thrilled with the quality and performance of your Siry Auto Group vehicle. From the BMW 3 Series to the VW Tiguan, the lineup of used vehicles from Siry Auto Group is sure to fulfill your every driving need. To help you prepare for your summer driving adventure, here is a look at some summer maintenance essentials for your vehicle:

Check your tires.

One of the most important steps of caring for your vehicle during the summer season is to make sure that you check your tires on a routine basis. During the peak of summer, hot outdoor temperatures can cause the pressure in your tires to fluctuate dramatically. By checking your tire pressure before you head out for a road trip, you can avoid an unforeseen blowout on the road.

Change your oil.

Another essential aspect of summer car maintenance is to make sure that you change your oil when your service interval is up. Regular oil changes are important for maintaining the performance, safety, and efficiency. In addition, changing your oil can help prevent damage to your engine. In order to make sure that you are changing your oil at the right time, you can create a maintenance schedule with your mechanic.

Inspect your coolant.

Overheating is among the most common causes of vehicle breakdowns during the summer season. In order to ensure that your vehicle does not overheat during the hot days of summer, it is a great idea to make sure that you inspect your coolant levels at regular intervals. If you find that your coolant levels are low, you will want to replace your coolant with a mixture of radiator fluid and water. With these simple maintenance techniques, you can keep your vehicle in great operating condition throughout the summer season.

Happy Summer from all of us at Siry Auto Group

The Story of the Fourth of July

The Declaration of Independence

We celebrate American Independence Day on the Fourth of July every year. We think of July 4, 1776, as a day that represents the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation.

But July 4, 1776 wasn’t the day that the Continental Congress decided to declare independence (they did that on July 2, 1776).

It wasn’t the day we started the American Revolution either (that had happened back in April 1775).

And it wasn’t the day Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence (that was in June 1776). Or the date on which the Declaration was delivered to Great Britain (that didn’t happen until November 1776). Or the date it was signed (that was August 2, 1776).

So what did happen on July 4, 1776?

The Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. They’d been working on it for a couple of days after the draft was submitted on July 2nd and finally agreed on all of the edits and changes.

July 4, 1776, became the date that was included on the Declaration of Independence, and the fancy handwritten copy that was signed in August (the copy now displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.) It’s also the date that was printed on the Dunlap Broadsides, the original printed copies of the Declaration that were circulated throughout the new nation. So when people thought of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 was the date they remembered.

In contrast, we celebrate Constitution Day on September 17th of each year, the anniversary of the date the Constitution was signed, not the anniversary of the date it was approved. If we’d followed this same approach for the Declaration of Independence we’d being celebrating Independence Day on August 2nd of each year, the day the Declaration of Independence was signed!

How did the Fourth of July become a national holiday?

For the first 15 or 20 years after the Declaration was written, people didn’t celebrate it much on any date. It was too new and too much else was happening in the young nation. By the 1790s, a time of bitter partisan conflicts, the Declaration had become controversial. One party, the Democratic-Republicans, admired Jefferson and the Declaration. But the other party, the Federalists, thought the Declaration was too French and too anti-British, which went against their current policies.

By 1817, John Adams complained in a letter that America seemed uninterested in its past. But that would soon change.

After the War of 1812, the Federalist party began to come apart and the new parties of the 1820s and 1830s all considered themselves inheritors of Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans. Printed copies of the Declaration began to circulate again, all with the date July 4, 1776, listed at the top. The deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, may even have helped to promote the idea of July 4 as an important date to be celebrated.

Celebrations of the Fourth of July became more common as the years went on and in 1870, almost a hundred years after the Declaration was written, Congress first declared July 4 to be a national holiday as part of a bill to officially recognize several holidays, including Christmas. Further legislation about national holidays, including July 4, was passed in 1939 and 1941.

Happy Birthday America, Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July from all of us at Siry Auto Group

In the United States, Tuesday is Flag Day, an official observance in honor of the Star-Spangled Banner that represents the country.

A hundred years ago, President Woodrow Wilson established June 14 as a chance to “rededicate ourselves to the nation,” as he wrote in his proclamation. He wanted Americans to mark Flag Day to leave behind “every thought that is not worthy of our fathers’ first vows in independence, liberty and right” and instead “stand with united hearts, for an America which no man can corrupt, no influence draw away from its ideals, no force divide against itself.”

If you’re stuck at your desk instead of celebrating in the summer sun, here are 13 facts to share about the American flag, compiled from the History Channel, Mental Floss, ABC News and PBS:

The version of the flag the U.S. uses today is the 27th.

The 50th star was added in 1960, a year after Hawaii joined the U.S.
At one point in 1795 the flag had 15 stripes, one for each state.

Vendors often use the Pantone shades 193 C and 281 C for the flag’s red and blue.

The flag is always flying at the White House, Fort McHenry in Baltimore and the Iwo Jima memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

Almost all American flags made today are produced in the U.S.

There’s no evidence Betsy Ross designed the first American flag, but she was paid at one point for creating “ships colours.”

Some people think Francis Hopkinson, an author, composer and signer of the Declaration of Independence, helped out with the flag’s original look.

The Pledge of Allegiance was penned in 1892.

It read, “I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Congress added the phrase “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954.

There are five American flags still standing on the moon, but they’re all probably bleached white.

In 1776, the year the U.S. declared independence, there were about 2.5 million people living in the country. There are now about 322 million.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department — the Department of Defense. Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.

In a speech announcing the formation of the day, President Truman “praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas” and said, “it is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace.” In an excerpt from the Presidential Proclamation of Feb. 27, 1950, Mr. Truman stated:

“Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America’s defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense”.

Honoring Our Military

The theme of the first Armed Forces Day was “Teamed for Defense.” It was chosen as a means of expressing the unification of all the military forces under a single department of the government. Although this was the theme for the day, there were several other purposes for holding Armed Forces Day. It was a type of “educational program for civilians,” one in which there would be an increased awareness of the Armed Forces. It was designed to expand public understanding of what type of job is performed and the role of the military in civilian life. It was a day for the military to show “state-of- the-art” equipment to the civilian population they were protecting. And it was a day to honor and acknowledge the people of the Armed Forces of the United States.

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

From all of us at Siry Auto Group, Thank you!!

Used cars tend to be great options for new drivers or those who are looking for an affordable but reliable vehicle. Before you head over to the used car dealership, however, you should have an idea of how you plan to pay for this new investment. Here are a few tips for financing a used car.

Analyze Your Finances
Before making any major investment, it’s important that you take a look at your finances. Consider your usual daily or monthly expenses like food for yourself and your family, rent or mortgage payments, and any other necessities that factor into your financial situation. You will have to provide the dealership with proof of your income when financing a used car, which can be in the form of pay stubs, bank statements, or social security. The financial department will review these documents to ensure that you are not a risk.

Build Your Credit
When you pay for a car in cash, you get to drive it out of the parking lot with complete ownership. When it comes to financing used cars, you must prove that you are capable of paying it off over time—proof of income is one aspect of this process. Another aspect your dealership will look at is your credit score. Paying your bills on time, maintaining a lengthy and positive credit history, and opening different types of credit all contribute to a higher credit score. This can help you find lower interest rates, meaning more of your money is going towards the vehicle itself.

Make a Down Payment
A down payment shows that you are ready to invest in your vehicle, and it is linked to your finances and credit score. While requirements vary by circumstance, a higher down payment shows that you are serious about your car of choice.

Are you interested in financing a used car? Contact Siry Auto Group or visit our website. We are a used car dealership in San Diego that offers used vehicles of all makes and models Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge cars. You can learn much more about our services by visiting our website or giving us a call at (858) 277-9077 today.

Siry Auto Group

San Diego, CA
Write a review
3.8 STARS 

If you’ve already planned out how you’ll afford this year’s gifts, decorations, plane tickets and sugarplums, congratulations—you’re ahead of the 58% of Americans who say they don’t make a holiday budget. But when it comes to staying on track, it can seem like the world is working against you with holiday deals and seasonal sales, says Charlie Shipman, a financial planner at Blue Keel Financial Planning in Weston, Connecticut. Here are his tips on sticking to your plan:

Double-check your figures
When reviewing your budget, make sure you’ve accounted for all holiday purchases, from centerpieces for dinners and garlands for parties to gifts for the office Secret Santa. “It might surprise you to see what you spend every year,” explains Shipman. “Non-gift items add up, and many people forget to factor them into their budgets.”

Set clear priorities
If you’ve set a spending limit, make sure you’re putting that money toward whatever brings you the most joy. “Take the time to really figure out what makes you happy,” advises Shipman. “Is it important to you that your children get lots of gifts? That’s fine, but maybe you and your spouse agree to spend less on gifts for each other.” It’s easier to stick to a budget if it reflects what you really want to be spending on.

Look for bargains all year
Eagle-eyed shoppers can pick up great seasonal decorations at tag and garage sales in the off-season, giving you more room to play with your holiday budget. “We picked up a nice $700 artificial tree at an estate sale in our town for $35,” says Shipman. “Now we don’t have to spend the usual $100 or so on a Christmas tree.”

Bring a friend along
Take a friend (or your spouse) to the mall for support. Tell them your budget and your shopping list so they can stop you from making impulse purchases—for yourself and others.

Start a holiday fund
Starting in January, “save a little bit every month and use this earmarked money for gift purchases and other holiday expenses,” suggests Shipman. (If you save just $75 per month from January to November, by December you’ll have plenty more than the $804 most Americans say they’ll spend on the holidays.) Saving over time will help you avoid a large cash outflow at the end of next year and the temptation to carry holiday debt on a credit card or take out a holiday loan. Designating savings specifically for holiday use also means you’re likely to save more, and less likely to cheat and use non-holiday fund money for holiday expenses—studies have shown that earmarking money helps people exert more self-control over their spending.

Saving customers money is a top priority for SIRY AUTO GROUP. Our Price Brings You In and Our Service Brings You Back!

Meet the Powerful 2013 Dodge Charger

Auto Maintenance Tips for Your Next Road Trip