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Your new car Mazda warranty provides priceless peace of mind. Whether you run into trouble on the road and you need a tow to your Mazda dealer, or your Mazda mechanic spots trouble at your next service appointment, your warranty can shield you from certain repair costs. more When you schedule certain repairs at your local dealership, the cost of your repairs may be covered by your new vehicle warranty or your powertrain warranty. When a Mazda mechanic is examining your vehicle, specific parts can be replaced at no cost, such as if the damage were caused by a mechanical defect or a manufacturer flaw. However, some parts of your vehicle may not be covered, particularly if the damage occurred because you skipped routine maintenance or the vehicle was damaged by an accident. Your warranty will also exclude repair costs associated with certain regular maintenance tasks, such as tire rotations, tire replacements, and oil changes. New Vehicle Limited Warranty The new vehicle limited warranty that comes with your factory-fresh Mazda will provide bumper-to-bumper coverage. This comprehensive level of coverage will last for 36,000 miles or up to three years, whichever comes first. Powertrain Limited Warranty Your powertrain warranty applies to vehicle components such as the drive axle, transmission, engine, and other associated parts such as seals and gaskets. This warranty lasts for the first five years or 60,000 miles of your vehicle's life. Warranty Benefits While your warranty is still active, you will get the benefit of 24-hour roadside assistance covered by Mazda. This means that you can call for emergency tow services at no cost if your vehicle breaks down on the road so your vehicle can be transported to the nearest authorized dealership for repairs. What About the Mazda CPO Warranty? If you happen to purchase a CPO Mazda, then you will also enjoy a generous warranty period. An approved CPO Mazda comes with a one-year or 12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a seven-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and 24-hour roadside assistance benefits. The CPO warranty has a $0 deductible for covered mechanical repairs. From brand-new to like-new, your warranty from Mazda offers a high level of coverage so you can replace defective parts at little to no cost. You can learn more about the specifications of your warranty when you call Flood Mazda in Wakefield, RI. Image via Mazda

Every car owner has to get insurance. In Rhode Island, the average price of car insurance is $551 per year for minimum coverage and $1,886 for full coverage. However, some people pay significantly more or less than this due to their age, financial situation, the type of car they drive, and the insurance company they've chosen. When you buy a new car, the Mazda dealer can help you to find the best quotes. more Getting reasonably priced insurance for your Mazda doesn't have to be hard. Start by determining what kind of policy you'd like. Then, do everything you can to optimize your situation. Finally, compare quotes. Some insurance companies are significantly cheaper than others, so it's worth shopping around. Choose How Much Insurance You Need In Rhode Island, you have to have coverage of up to $25,000 for damages incurred by a single person and up to $50,000 for damages incurred by multiple people in a car crash. If you only get bodily injury liability insurance, you won't have to pay much per year. However, you'll have to cover the repairs if your car gets damaged during the accident. Most drivers get comprehensive insurance because it covers their own car as well as the injuries incurred by other people. This policy is best for anyone who doesn't have the financial resources to immediately replace their car or pay tens of thousands in repairs. Optimize Your Situation to Get a Lower Quote Before you reach out to insurance companies, optimize your situation. Check your credit score to determine whether you're on track or whether you need to make some changes. Paying your debt on time and keeping your debt-to-credit ratio at or below 30% helps you to improve your score. Ask us about safety features you can install in your car. Sometimes, insurance companies offer lower quotes to people whose cars are considered very safe. Compare Several Providers Don't be tempted by flashy advertisements when buying insurance for your car. Instead, use comparison sites or ask us to help you find the best provider. Some of the top companies in Rhode Island are Geico, Travelers, Amica, and Nationwide. The quotes you get from each of them depend on your situation, location, and the kind of car you drive. Mazda insurance doesn't have to be expensive, as long as you know how to compare quotes and optimize your financial situation. Because there are so many providers in Rhode Island, it's easy for most people to find a reasonable quote that doesn't break the bank. Give us a call at Flood Mazda in Wakefield, RI to get more advice about car ownership. Our experienced team is happy to help you find the perfect car at a low cost. Image via Pixabay

If you are looking to purchase a new vehicle, you might be wondering what financing options are available for you. There are a few things you should know about getting a car loan from your official Mazda dealership. Here are some tips to help you get the most from your loan. more 1. Know Your Credit Score It's a good idea to check your credit score regularly. A low credit score can impede your ability to get things like mortgages and loans. Some renters will also consider a person's credit score before agreeing to rent out a property. Your credit score is also going to affect the type of loan you get from your dealer, as well as your interest rates. If you have a low score, you may get higher interest rates. But a low score should help you get the most competitive rates your dealership can offer. 2. Get Preapproved One of the best ways to set yourself up for success with your auto loan is by getting preapproved. When you get preapproved, your lender will do a “hard” credit pull, which will temporarily lower your credit score. This credit pull will give your lender more personal information which means the estimated rates they give you will be much more accurate. Once you're preapproved, you'll have a much clearer idea of what your budget actually looks like. This will allow you to keep realistic expectations while you're shopping which in turn will help you find the perfect car. 3. Make As Large a Down Payment As Possible When you find a car you like and you're ready to make a purchase, it will be time for you to make a down payment. One of the benefits of purchasing a car through a dealership is that there will be a lot of flexibility in terms of how much you should put down. That said, you should still aim to put down as large a down payment as you can. The larger your initial down payment is, the lower your subsequent monthly payments are going to be. Aim to put down around 20% of the car's total cost. 4. Make Your Payments on Time Once you've gotten preapproved, set your budget, and you've found the car you like, you're all set after you've made your down payment! Now you just have to make your monthly payments until you've paid your loan off in full. It's normal to miss or delay a monthly payment every once in a while. Sometimes life happens and we forget, or we run into emergencies and have to spend that money elsewhere. But you should limit these late payments as much as possible to avoid incurring any major additional fees or lowering your credit score. Car purchases can quickly get expensive. Getting financing can lower the financial burden and help you afford a higher-quality car. Are you ready to look into your financing options? Come talk to us today at Flood Mazda. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

If you're about to purchase a new Mazda, you'll likely be given the option of financing it through the dealership. There are a lot of reasons why arranging car financing through your local Mazda dealer is the best way to go. more 1. You'll Be Offered Competitive Interest Rates Most dealerships have entire departments that are devoted to helping customers arrange vehicle financing. You can rest assured that you'll be working with an experienced financing professional and that you'll be offered competitive interest rates. Once you've filled out an application for financing, the dealership will solicit financing packages from various lenders and help you work through the process of selecting the best one for your budget and lifestyle. 2. You'll Save Time Nothing beats the convenience and ease of financing your next car or truck through the dealership. You can select your vehicle, negotiate a terrific price, and then arrange financing right on the spot without ever leaving the dealership. Financing through the dealership speeds the process along, meaning you can drive home a new set of wheels more quickly. 3. Your Credit Will Matter Keep in mind that whenever you arrange to finance a purchase, your credit history and credit score will matter. The better your credit history is and the higher your credit score is, the more likely you'll be to get a low-interest rate. To avoid any surprises at the dealership, it's smart to check your credit score first. That way, you'll have a good idea of what you're working with when it comes to setting up financing. 4. You'll Want To Watch the APR The annual percentage rate, or APR, is a key figure to pay attention to when you're arranging to finance a vehicle. The APR is the interest rate you'll pay on the money you borrow. A lower APR means you'll be paying less to borrow the money. As you evaluate various financing offers, keep an eye out for one with a low APR. 5. You'll Be Given the Option of Financing Fees In addition to the vehicle's purchase price, you'll also need to pay sales taxes and various fees when buying a vehicle. It's often easiest to roll those extra costs into your financing package, but try to pay cash for them separately if you can. Financing those fees means you'll end up paying interest on them, which you want to avoid if possible. 6. You Might Qualify for Special Offers Through the Dealership Dealerships occasionally offer promotional financing and other discounts, which can save you money. You'll need to have good credit to score discounted financing. But it's worth asking about special offers, and whether or not you qualify for them. The friendly professionals at your local dealership can partner with you on the vehicle financing process, saving you both time and money. Don't put off your purchase any longer. Head on over to Flood Mazda and pick out your next car or truck today! Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Spreading the purchase of your new Mazda out over time can be a great way to reduce the financial burden. But how can you get a car loan with a low-interest rate and reasonable conditions? In most cases, the best place to find great options is your local Mazda dealer, who can also help you with figuring out your financial situation. Let's have a closer look at how to finance a car. more 1. Calculate Your Purchasing Power and Car Payment The first thing you will need to do is figure out how much you can pay every month, how much you have available for a down payment, and what type of car you can buy with your money. To help you with this, your dealer has created a simple car payment calculator that can show you the monthly payment given a certain loan value, loan term, interest rate, and down payment. There is also a tool that tells you the maximum value of the Mazda you can purchase. Before you get in touch, make sure to use these calculators to get a better idea of your current situation. Think about your expenses and your budget, then figure out what the maximum amount is you can pay each month. Don't forget that there will also be some other costs associated with car ownership, such as registration fees, annual maintenance appointments, and your insurance. 2. Prepare Everything You'll Need When you've figured out what you can pay and which cars you might be able to afford, you can start to compile the documents you need for your application. These might include your personal information and driver's license, proof of employment and a record of your current salary, and your credit history. Remember that a higher credit score will allow you to access better deals, so try to always keep up with your payments and handle debt responsibly. Many drivers like to trade in their old car for a new one because this provides them with an instant down payment. In such a case, you'll also need to find your vehicle's manual and the service record, which proves that you have taken good care of it. 3. Apply and Speak to a Professional Next, it's time to apply for credit and speak to a member of our finance team. If you're comfortable with the process and have applied for car loans before, you can make use of the online application form that allows you to be pre-approved. If not, you can make an appointment with us, and we will go through your options and help you with our application. Getting a loan for your new Mazda is easy, particularly if you make use of all the resources your dealership provides. Aside from personalized help, there is plenty of information online that can make the application process much easier. Get in touch with us now at Flood Mazda and find out more about how we can help you finance your vehicle purchase.

Many people overlook some of the different costs when considering the overall cost of owning a car. Here are six factors you should consider if you are thinking about buying a car. more 1. Insurance You will need insurance to legally operate a vehicle. The cost of insurance for drivers varies and depends on a variety of factors. These factors include things like your driving record and the length of time you have been driving. However, this is something you will want to consider when thinking about the cost of car ownership. You can get an idea about what your payments might be like by searching for quotes online. 2. Maintenance Your car is going to have regular maintenance costs, inspections costs, and repair costs too. The amount of maintenance and repairs your car might need will vary on factors like age and the type of car you are considering. However, you should research and consider these costs when you are considering the costs of owning your vehicle. It is important to keep your car properly maintained to avoid even bigger costs down the road. 3. Gas Gas will vary too based on your location, fuel efficiency, and how much you are planning to drive. However, unless you are considering an electric vehicle, you will need to account for gas in the overall cost of ownership too. You can get an idea of how much your monthly gas costs might be by looking at how much you typically drive, how much gas costs in your area, and the average fuel efficiency of the vehicle you are considering. 4. Parking If you live in a city, you may want to also consider the cost of parking too. Parking costs can really add up if you are consistently parking in places that are metered. If you live in a city or town that charges parking fees, consider budgeting in a monthly allowance for parking fees. 5. Fees and Taxes Many people don't realize that the final cost of the car will be over what you see in the window. In addition to the cost of the car, you will have other fees to consider too. Understand that you will be paying taxes, dealer fees, registration fees, and interest out the door. Be prepared for this when you are considering your next vehicle purchase. 6. Monthly Payments You will obviously want to factor in the monthly payments for your vehicle in your costs. This along with the other factors here can help you decide the budget you are comfortable with for your next vehicle. Understand that in addition to your monthly payments, you will need to ensure that you are financially prepared to handle the other costs on this list too. Now that you have a good idea about what it might cost you to own a car, you are ready to take the next step towards car ownership. Contact us today at Flood Mazda of Wakefield and we can help you find a car that meets your needs. We look forward to seeing you soon.

New car owners can find it daunting to think of doing their own car maintenance and repairs. However, it doesn't have to be a stressful process if you are adequately prepared. Keep reading to gain an understanding of the items that should be in your car tool kit! more 1. Socket Set You'll want to make sure your tool kit is outfitted with a sturdy, fully stocked socket set. Ensure that your socket set has sockets sized from at least 6mm to 19mm, a ratchet, an extender, and a hex (Allen) key. 2. Wire Cutters and Pliers Any electrical project on your vehicle will require pliers and wire cutters. So whether you are rewiring headlights or installing a new stereo system, you'll be glad you have these two handy tools available. 3. Wrench Set It's hard to get anything accomplished without a wrench set. Choosing wrenches with an open-ended side as well as a ratcheting side will make any task easier to complete, as you will not have to remove the wrench between turns. 4. Screwdrivers You may have a screwdriver or two already floating around your junk drawer. However, you'll want to make sure you have a variety of shapes and sizes easily accessible during your mechanical adventures. 5. Torque Wrench A torque wrench is a critical piece to have in your toolbox. This specialized ratchet is used to set nuts to the proper tightness. Using a torque wrench prevents damage to the bolt, prevents slippage, and makes it easier to remove the nut in the future. 6. Breaker Bar A breaker bar is a long-handled ratchet used to remove nuts and bolts. Those nuts you just tightened with your torque wrench? You'll need a breaker bar to remove them. 7. Impact Wrench An impact wrench is an optional tool you can have in your arsenal. This high-powered tool provides you with electric torque to replace or remove lug nuts quickly and easily. If you have arthritis in your hands or worry that you may have difficulty applying enough power to a standard wrench, an impact wrench can make working on your vehicle much more comfortable. 8. Rubber Mallet A rubber mallet is one of those tools you don't think about until you need one. A rubber mallet can get you through some sticky situations, from removing stuck bolts to straightening out bumpers. 9. Floor Jacks or Ramps If you plan on getting under your car to do repairs, having a way to elevate it is vital. If you are new to car maintenance, we recommend using ramps as they are safer. 10. Jack Stands Never lift your car on a jack or ramp without jack stands in use. Jack stands keep your ramp or jack from slipping or shifting while you are working beneath the vehicle. 11. Factory Service Manual One of the best ways to become comfortable with the inner workings of your engine is to read the factory service manual. This manual allows you to study how to do repairs and general services on your vehicle without worrying if you are receiving the correct information. A well-stocked tool kit allows you to feel prepared to handle the minor issues that are a normal part of car ownership. However, if you need professional help with your automobile, you are not alone! Give us a call at Flood Mazda and let our service center get you back on the road!

New Mazda buyers have all sorts of questions, one of which is usually about car financing. Most of us can't afford to pay for a brand new car without a loan, so understanding how to finance your new Mazda before you even step onto the lot is important to make sure you get the best deal possible. more Step 1: Know Your Credit Score Even if you have poor credit, you'll probably be able to get a loan for your new car. This is because lenders consider cars a fairly safe risk because if you default on the loan, they can repossess the vehicle. However, you'll pay a much higher interest rate if your credit isn't good. Understanding your credit score before you start the financing process, whether through the dealership or another lender, can help you shop around for a decent interest rate. Step 2: Get Prequalified The best way to avoid overspending on a car is to get prequalified for a loan before you even start shopping. This way, you'll know your interest rate and the maximum amount you can spend on a vehicle, which can keep you within your budget. It also allows you to be more confident when you're shopping because you know you've already secured financing. There won't be any anxious wait while your credit is checked. Step 3: Keep the Loan Term in Mind Rather than looking at the amount of your monthly payments for your new car, look at the overall price. Car buyers often fall into the trap of paying more attention to how much they'll be spending monthly rather than how much they are actually paying overtime. Of course, the longer the term is, the lower your monthly payments will be, but with interest, you could actually be paying quite a bit more for the vehicle. Step 4: Put As Much Money Down As Possible The more money you can afford to put down on your vehicle's loan, the better off you'll be in the long run because you won't pay interest on the down payment. Aim for a down payment of 20% of the purchase price, which will not only lower the overall amount you're financing but will allow you to pay the vehicle off sooner and avoid a situation where you owe more than the vehicle is worth when accounting for depreciation. Step 5: Pay Fees and Taxes With Cash The dealership fee, registration fees, and taxes do not increase the value of your vehicle, so it's in your best interest to pay for these items in cash rather than rolling them into your loan. When you include these fees in your loan, you're going to owe more than your car is worth, at least for the first part of your term. Even if you were to sell it right away, you wouldn't get enough to cover the loan. You have a variety of choices available when you go to pay for your new Mazda, but often, the dealership offers the best financing option for your needs. Contact Flood Mazda today to see just how affordable a new Mazda can be.