6 Important Factors When Considering the Cost of Owning a Car

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

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