To Buy Or To Lease: A Guide
When it is time for you to get into a new ride there are a few choices to make. What model, color, and trim – can be a little overwhelming. And just when you thought you were done deciding, you have one choice left to make. To buy or to lease your next vehicle. And, we know this can be a hard choice but we’ve dedicated our blog this week to making the choice a little easier for you! Read below and when you’re done, head into our showroom to pick out your new Kia!
Why you’ll want to Lease:
- Lower monthly payments: leasing a new vehicle will get you into that new ride while not having to pay an arm and a leg for a monthly payment. You may even be able to upgrade to a higher trim level or add on a few advanced options while staying within your budget.
- Little down payment: when it comes to leasing a new vehicle, there may be a required small down payment or none at all depending on the deal you’ve agreed upon. If you have a trade-in, this could be your down payment and will keep you from shelling out cash from your pocket.
- Latest models/ technology: one of the benefits of leasing a vehicle is being able to drive the latest models with upgraded technology features. In today’s industry, cars are always evolving and coming out with better and more efficient features, who wouldn’t love to get their hands on those? If you are someone who loves have the latest and greatest – leasing is probably for you.
- Selling your trade-in: when you lease, you won’t have to worry about selling your vehicle. Drop your vehicle at the dealership and be on your way. It is that easy so, drop your old one off and pick up your new one in an easy breezy process.
Why you’ll want to buy:
- Monthly payments are no-more: once you successfully pay off your vehicle, you no longer have a monthly payment. You’ll only have to worry about paying for fuel, car services, and insurance. If you are the kind of driver who likes to own a vehicle until the wheels fall off – buying is probably the better option for you.
- No mileage restrictions: when you choose to buy, you are free to drive here, there, everywhere without anyone holding mileage restrictions over your head. If you tend to drive more than the average person or live somewhere where you do a lot of driving, buying your next vehicle is probably the smarter choice!
- Customize your vehicle: if you are the kind of driver that likes to customize your ride from top to bottom, buying is most definitely the better choice. You have the ability to add whatever you like without having to pay any customization or excess wear fees.
- Credit is in good standing: when buying your vehicle your credit doesn’t need to be in outstanding condition. Many people might have this problem and feel like they are trapped. Explore all your options and see where your interest rates may fall before deciding what choice is for you.
Each option has its positives and we’re here to work with you through the choices to ensure you get everything you want and need in a new vehicle. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and explore your options before deciding for sure!
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July Specials Will Make You Go Kooky!
What’s that? It’s finally July which means NEW SPECIALS are here! And, one thing is for sure – whichever Kia you plan to get behind the wheel of this month will be the perfect summertime travel buddy! We know you have camping trips planned, lake days and sun to soak up, and a lot of ice cream to eat to beat the heat but we want to help you arrive in style with a new Kia! Check out our specials below and stop by our specials page for more details or schedule a test drive online today!
2018 Kia Forte LX – $0 Due, $199/ month for 36 months.*
The Forte is a great option if you plan to do a lot of adventuring and want to spend more time on the road and less at the pump. Just because this is a compact sedan doesn’t mean there won’t be enough room for all your gear. Plus, with a multitude of convenience features, you’ll feel right at home when you slip behind the wheel of a Kia Forte. And we can’t forget about the sporty exterior styling that the Forte has, with a distinctive grille and available LED positioning lights – your Forte will turn heads on any corner.
2018 Kia Niro LX – $0 Due, $279/ month for 36 months.*
Meet the smart crossover that is ready to change your life. Not only does the Niro offer a stylish exterior designed with an upscaled, athletic look but this crossover will provide features to keep you connected from virtually anywhere you plan to go. Seriously, this vehicle is no joke and will go above and beyond your expectations. Plus, it is a hybrid! What? Yeap, you heard that right. Go further in the Niro and stay connected from the beautifully crafted cabin.
2019 Kia Sportage – $0 Due, $288/ month for 36 months.*
If you’re looking to lead the pack on those summer trips, lead in a Kia Sportage. With features that will inspire confident driving plus, features that offer ultimate comfort – the Sportage was designed to be your guide through all of life’s adventures. In the event you want to kick your fun up a notch, your Sportage has been engineered to excite and will provide a smooth ride on those rigidity surfaces. And with All-Wheel Drive, the Sportage will be ready to take on those ever-changing road conditions.
Stop in today for a test drive! We know you want to!
*All specials expire 7/31/2018. See specials page for full details.
Capital Region Independence Day To-Do List
July 4th is almost here, and if you live anywhere near me you’ve probably heard fireworks going off since the 1st. We’re just so dang patriotic! And, well, we enjoy a good explosion every now and again. If you’re the type of person who loves fireworks (who doesn’t, honestly) then there are a ton of opportunities to witness these marvels of ancient innovation (the earliest documentation of fireworks was in 9th century China!) in the Capital Region this July. Check them out below!
First of all, we have the ever-popular fireworks show on the Empire State Plaza on July 4th. It’s been sponsored by Price Chopper since 1976 and every year they’ve outdone themselves!
Protip: arrive early, because there are a TON of people, and bring a lawn chair or blanket. Don’t forget earplugs for the kids, because the pyrotechnics echo off of the Plaza buildings and get very loud.
Admission is free! The event is from 3pm-10pm.
If you’re a baseball fan, the ValleyCats are playing the Vermont Lake Monsters at the Joe at 6:30pm on the 4th. Not only will this be a great game of baseball, but the ValleyCats are known for their amazing postgame fireworks shows and their Independence Day show is the crème de la crème.
Protip: come hungry and enjoy those ballpark franks!
Do you live in the Clifton Park area? You’ve got a great fireworks show of your own at the Clifton Common starting at 12pm on the 4th! A parade is the first order of the day, and the Common will host rides, games, food, and various vendors, and musical guests will be the soundtrack to your Independence Day fun. This is the largest locally-sponsored fireworks display in the Capital Region!
Protip: slather on the sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes or sandals!
Are you a history buff? Then you should head down to Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site and enjoy historic games, music, and fun colonial activities to celebrate our country’s independence. Oh, and there’ll be free Stewart’s ice cream. You can beat the heat and take a tour of the mansion and see the room where Alexander Hamilton was married (did you know that President Millard Fillmore was married in the same room?) as well as other rooms that show what life was like for our founding fathers.
Protip: bring the kids and a sense of fun, and then hit the Plaza fireworks show after spending the day at Schuyler Mansion!
These are some of the best events our region has to offer – enjoy them this holiday and have a fantastic Independence Day!
Organize Your Vehicle In A Jiffy
If you’re looking for a great weekend project to do in your vehicle, try getting organized! Organizing your vehicle is not only easy, but the final product is incredibly satisfying and useful. Summer is the season for road trips, and it’s always great to make sure your vehicle is in order before traveling so that you can ensure everyone is comfortable and has space for their stuff. Take a look at our tips for organizing your vehicle and give them a try before your next long drive!
- Lots of passengers but not enough places to store essentials? Stick small suction cup shower caddies to the window to store things like water bottles, toys, wipes, and anything else that you don’t want getting stuck under your seat.
- Make sure you have a trash can in the vehicle. It can be as simple as a plastic bag or as hardcore as a specifically-designed car trash can, but you should make sure that you have a solution for debris and junk.
- Always have a fully-stocked emergency kit in the vehicle. This is just basic!
- Don’t have a place for change? Use an empty gum container or pill bottle. Perfect for tolls!
- Silicone muffin cups at the bottoms of cupholders make it REALLY easy to clean those suckers out. Just pull out the muffin cups and throw them in the dishwasher when they’re really grody.
- Bringing candy on a road trip? Stick the pieces between the slats on your air vent to keep them from melting with the summer heat.
- Keep your glove compartment neat. When you’re traveling, especially to a different state, you’re definitely going to need your registration, insurance, and license in case you get pulled over. It’s also just a good idea to keep that spot organized!
- Use a binder clip to hold your sunglasses on your visor when it’s dark out. Now they won’t get lost!
- If you drive an SUV or hatchback, use a shoe organizer hung from the back of the rear seats as a trunk organizer so small stuff doesn’t go flying and you have all the essentials on hand.
- Don’t want to lose your spare key? Use a magnetic key holder to store your key under your car. Make sure it’s attached to a spot that is both magnetic AND tucked into a relatively secure spot to avoid getting knocked off or damaged.
Check Your Coolant In A Pinch
Summer’s officially here and it’s more important than ever to make sure that your vehicle’s coolant level is where it should be so that your engine doesn’t overheat. We can do that for you when you come visit the shop, but if you’re out of the area and need to take a look, you should know what to look for. Here goes – keep reading for more tips!
Before you reach for the radiator cap, check the coolant reservoir to make sure that the liquid reaches the “Full” line on the side of the reservoir. If it doesn’t reach that far, then open up that lid and pour in a 50/50 mix of water and the coolant your vehicle takes until the level reaches the full line. Some coolants do come premixed, so make sure you read the bottle thoroughly.
DO NOT add coolant to a hot engine! You can burn yourself badly or crack your engine block. You can also spray yourself with hot coolant if you open the radiator or coolant cap when your engine is hot due to the pressure and heat buildup.
Coolant is usually red, green, blue, or yellow. If you see something weird, like things floating in the coolant or a rustiness or even a sludgy, oily surface, then you should take your vehicle to the shop to check for issues such as internal head gasket leakage.
When you’re under the hood, feel your radiator hoses as well. Make sure they are not cracked, squishy, bulging, or leaking. If they are any of these things, replace them ASAP.
Miss Manners’ Guide To The Parking Lot
Hello, Kia customers, Miss Manners here. Yes, it is me – I am writing guest blogs for car dealerships now. I wanted to address this post to every person who has had a negative experience in a parking lot. “But Miss Manners,” you may ask, “how do parking lots have anything to do with manners?” Good question! Manners are important everywhere you go, whether it’s the soup aisle of the grocery store, your mother-in-law’s home, or the parking lot. Did you know that parking lots are one of the places where manners seem to disappear entirely? (Yes, I made up this fact for emphasis, but it’s very believable.) This week, I will be discussing some important rules of parking lot etiquette – and I expect that everyone will immediately begin to follow these rules upon reading this blog. You may not believe it now, but it is a real, true fact that if people behave themselves in the parking lot, the place will feel a lot friendlier. Read on.
Make sure your car is pulled into the space far enough, but not too far. If you have a normal-size car, pull your vehicle all the way into the space so the rear of your car is in line with other cars. This makes it easier for other drivers to see past your car when they are backing out of adjacent spaces, and also gives the widest possible driving lane between rows. Pulling in properly is particularly helpful when shoppers pushing loaded carts are sharing the driving lane with moving vehicles. If you drive a super small vehicle, park so that the back end of your car is in line with the cars beside you. This lets drivers know that the space is occupied and does not give a false impression that the parking spot is vacant.
Never force your car into a space that’s too small. Standard parking spaces are generally 9 feet wide while compact car spaces are only 7 feet wide and shorter. Obviously, a large SUV or pickup will not fit easily in a compact car space. Quite simply put, they are not supposed to fit.
Watch for pedestrian crosswalks in parking lots. Crosswalks are common near the main entrances and exits of most large garages and lots. Created for the safety of pedestrians coming from and returning to their cars, they are usually marked with diagonal white or yellow stripes and often marked with a pedestrian crossing or stop sign. As much as you are in a hurry to find a spot, slow down. Watch for pedestrians and obey all signs in the parking lot.
Park straight in a parking space. In a parking lot or garage where cars are parked in slots, leave room on each side so you can open your doors without hitting the cars beside you. Park in the middle of a marked parking space. Overhanging the stripes will crowd the driver who parks next to you will inevitably lead to door dings in the paint.
Don’t straddle a line and take up two spaces in a parking lot or garage. Some people with new cars or those who don’t want to risk having their car’s sides banged by adjacent car doors will park in the middle of two spaces. This is not only rude; it also makes it impossible for others to park at all. Crowded garages and lots need every space.
Take your turn when waiting for a parking place. In a crowded parking garage or lot, when you see someone pulling out of a space, get as close as you can and turn on your turn signal to let other drivers know you have “dibs” on the space. If another car is close to the space and has its turn signal on already, you lose! The other car gets the space. If you and another driver both think you found the space first, be generous and let it go. A parking space is not worth a fight. Another spot will be vacant soon.
Make your intentions clear when walking in a parking lot. If you’re walking back to your car and you sense a car crawling down the aisle behind you, don’t presume they’re sightseeing. They want your parking space!
Finally, don’t expect miracles. Even if you are already driving this way, or decide to adopt these courteous practices, don’t expect others to do the same. Be careful of letting your expectations for others’ behavior contribute to your own potential parking lot rage. Take a few deep breaths, and take your time.
Shop Our Specials And Save!
Are you looking to add something new to your life? Are you feeling restless and like you need a change, but you can’t figure out what it is? We have the solution. It’s a new Kia from Destination Kia! We have some great new specials for the month of June that will get you where you need to go and further! You’ll also look and feel great behind the wheel of whichever vehicle you choose. Check out what we’ve got!
First up, the 2018 Kia Forte LX! This is a fantastic sedan that’s zippy and fun while still being safe and roomy! This is the perfect vehicle if you like to look sharp pulling up to the valet; if you’re a “real trunk” sort of person; and if modern, high-tech, and 4-door are all adjectives you love in a car. The LX trim gives you all the essentials and a bit more on top! With great fuel economy, the tech you’re looking for, and a slick appearance inside and out, this is the vehicle for you!
Next comes the 2018 Optima LX, a Kia standard that’s anything but standard. The Kia Optima’s modern exterior styling identifies it as the most exciting midsize sedan on the road today. Inside, its spacious and well-appointed interior reflects Kia’s dedication to an uncompromising process of refinement. Optima’s dynamic performance is complemented by a wealth of premium features that use advanced technology to monitor your driving environment and connect you to the road. Like all Kia models, Optima comes with an industry-leading,10-year/100,000-mile warranty program, a testament to its outstanding quality and reliability.
For the more eco-minded, the 2018 Niro LX is the perfect choice. This vehicle features considerable versatility, comfort, and driving enjoyment, along with some truly forward-thinking engineering. Behind the Niro’s inviting profile, you’ll find an artful orchestration of systems that define modern driving, including available driver-assistance technologies. Road time should be quality time, the Niro delivers an engaging driving experience in a spacious and comfortable interior. Niro takes you farther too, with a hybrid powertrain designed to work seamlessly and help maximize operating efficiency.
Finally, we have the 2018 Sportage LX with All-Wheel Drive. Where are you going? Doesn’t matter – the Sportage can get you there no matter how far off the beaten track you’re traveling! With a striking synthesis of performance, versatility, and refinement, the 2018 Kia Sportage invites you to discover just how good a compact crossover can be. Sleek exterior styling is complemented by a comfortable and spacious interior, while available Dynamax™ fully active all-wheel drive can increase traction and control to help deliver impressive all-around capability. Plus, a variety of available technologically advanced features monitor your driving environment and enhance your daily drive.
Stop in today to take a test drive in your favorite model… or just check all of them out for yourself! We’re happy to help!
Don’t Top Off That Tank!
Have you ever stopped at the gas station, filled up the tank, and then squeezed that pump just a little bit more after it automatically shuts off so that you get a nice round dollar amount? It’s okay if you have, because I totally do that too. Pretty much every time I get gas. However, I want to tell you that it’s actually a very bad idea to do this! I know, I didn’t think that it was actually bad either but, well. Now I know. Check out the reasons why you shouldn’t top off your gas tank – I didn’t know these and now I feel like I am saving my car every time I manfully refrain from squeezing that pump.
First of all, when you top off your gas tank, what you’re doing is literally adding more gas than can actually fit in the tank to begin with. That’s why the pump handle releases – because the sensor in the pump can tell when the tank is totally full, and so when you keep squeezing… well. You can figure it out. That excess gas doesn’t magically fit into the tank, though. If the tank is too full then the gas can go into your vehicle’s evaporative emissions system – specifically the carbon filter, which is designed only to hold fuel vapors, not actual fuel. The gas can then spill on the ground or cause issues with engine operation – the result of which is poor fuel economy, poor emissions, and decreased engine performance overall.
The next thing is that you’re just wasting money. A lot of pumps can sense when there’s too much gas in the tank already (as I mentioned above) and after that point is reached, it’ll start sending gas back into the station’s tank if you keep trying to add more to your own tank. So the dollars and cents will continue to rise but you’re getting none of the gas that you’re paying for. Waste! Of! Money!
Save your hard-earned cash and don’t waste it on topping off or engine repairs due to topping off. Let’s break the top-off habit together and revel in our newfound wealth! It might not be much, but it’s better than having nothing, right?
The Playlist You’ve Been Looking For
One of my favorite parts of summer (and late spring that feels like summer) is driving around town with my windows and sunroof open, blasting some of my favorite tunes and enjoying a delicious extra-thick chocolate milkshake from our favorite stew and art supplies store. My little Soul is the perfect vehicle for this, by the way – with a bumpin’ sound system and those awesome vibes, I feel very cool when I do this. Try it sometime, seriously.
Anyway, I have created a ~collection~ of some of my favorite songs to listen to on just this type of day, and you should definitely give it a listen and let me know what you think.
THE LATE SPRING/EARLY SUMMER PLAYLIST OF YOUR POP MUSIC DREAMS
- Really Don’t Care – Demi Lovato, Cher Lloyd
- Fred Astaire – San Cisco
- Human – The Killers
- Take A Walk – Passion Pit
- Shut Up And Dance – WALK THE MOON
- Boogie Feet – Kesha, Eagles Of Death Metal
- Girls Chase Boys – Ingrid Michaelson
- Cool For The Summer – Demi Lovato
- Kissing Strangers – DNCE
- Holiday – Vampire Weekend
- Feel It Still – Portugal. The Man
- Échame La Culpa – Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato
- Girl Almighty – One Direction
- LA Devotee – Panic! At The Disco
- You’re Such A – Hailee Steinfeld
- Everybody Knows – Jukebox The Ghost
- Genius – Sia, Diplo, Labrinth, LSD
- Rock Bottom – Hailee Steinfeld, DNCE
Turn these jams way up and enjoy the drive!
Games For Every Summer Road Trip!
Do you have any fun summer road trips planned? We definitely do, and we’re super excited to bring the family along and explore some great outdoor fun – Great Escape, anyone? Well, from Niagara Falls to the Ausable Chasm to the Catskills, road trips can get a little tedious, especially for kids in the car who just can’t wait to get there already. That’s where fun games come in – it’s always important to have fun games on hand to play to avoid car sickness and boredom at the same time. Check out some of our favorite games for road trips of any length! Share your favorite games with us on our Facebook page, especially if you don’t see them on this list! And without further ado… our game choices!
Eye Spy – this is definitely an oldie but a very-goodie. It’s great for all ages, and the rules are simple! One person picks a landmark or item inside or outside the car that they can actually see and describes it with one adjective. The other passengers then have to guess what it is!
Twenty Questions – One person thinks of something, and then everyone else in the car has a collective twenty questions that they can ask to try and suss out what the thing is. Depending on the players, this thing can be as esoteric or commonplace as you want!
License Plates – Try and spot a license plate from every state of the union. Depending on where you’re going, you can also try for all the provinces of Canada! With kids in the car, a good idea is to print out a list of all the states so that they can get crossed off the list when they are spotted.
The Alphabet Game – Find each letter of the alphabet, in order, on road signs. You cannot use license plates, and you can’t “save letters for later.” This game gets competitive, especially if you’re trying to beat someone else to a letter.
The Quiet Game – For the parent who just needs a little peace, challenge everyone to the Quiet Game, where they have to be silent for as long as possible. This is very restful for you and challenging to the kids. Sometimes that’s just the way it’s got to be!
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.
