Comparing a Pre Owned Honda to 2012 Models

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Consumer surveys and media reviews both concur that the most distinctive variance between a pre owned Honda and the 2012, generation 9 of Honda Accords and Civics is in the price tag. The design is not much different from previous model years. When car buyers compare the Honda 2012 to generations seven and eight, it becomes quite evident that a preowned Honda allows for better value than new ones.

From fuel economy to horsepower, used and pre-owned Hondas thrived a plethora of redesigns over the last decade.  The St. Louis used car dealer, Cross Keys Auto compiled research surrounding the pre owned Honda to determine how it compares to the 2012 Honda. Here are several notable facts:

  • Known for reliable driving, Honda Accords and Honda Civics have been the Japanese automaker’s  top sellers for  almost a decade.
  • Pre owned Honda Civics and Accords maintain three different auto tiers, ranging from basic, average to higher end or  DX, LX, and EX, respectively. 
  • Seventh generation Honda Accord 2003- 2007 models have found their way back to some St. Louis used auto dealers.  The 2008 Honda Accord survived a design makeover when the manufacturer reduced its optional V6 engine to 268 horsepower. 

Click St. Louis Used car sales  to compare pre owned Honda Accords

  • The price of a 2006 pre-owned Honda Civic EX presents far more value than the new 2012 Honda Civic,  which starts at  $24,000.
  •  Bloomberg, Car and Driver, and Popular Mechanics were of the opinion that the interior and exterior design of the 2012 Honda Civic is comparable to previous generations of the Honda sedan.
  • The 2011 Honda had an injection of upgrades, boasting new improved fuel economization and a host of technological improvements.  The new or used 2011 Honda comes quipped with an iPod/USB interface, rearview cameras and extra miles per gallon.
  • Given the depreciation value of a 2012 Honda versus a pre owned Honda with fewer than 100 K miles, consumers often save thousands of dollars by purchasing a used vehicle. 

Please click on “pre owned Honda” to start comparing used cars in St. Louis.

St. Louis Auto Dealer Offers Tips for Safe Labor Day Travel

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Labor Day celebrations mark the summer’s last bash in St. Louis, MO. As drivers navigate the roads, which intersect or run parallel to Interstate 55, traffic will be abuzz. But as the weekend of Labor Day begins, for most on September 2, 2011, coupled with moderately lower fuel prices, forecasts indicate a hectic holiday weekend. One St Louis used car dealer suggests these driving safety tips: Continue reading →

Marriage and Bad Credit Loans

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Customers of our Missouri used car dealership have a number of questions when it comes to buying used cars with bad credit car loans. A commonly asked question involves how bad credit car loans and marriage work and whether or not getting married can eliminate or improve your chances for a car loan if you have less than perfect credit.

Marriage Benefits
In general, getting married offers the happy couple a number of benefits from marriage related tax breaks to family plan health insurance options and cellular phone family plans to help save money.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act
Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), you can’t be denied a bad credit loan because you marry someone with worse credit than you have. So if you are hoping to come to our St. Louis used car dealership for a bad credit car loan, but were worried your spouses credit score would create a problem, you don’t need to worry about that.

On the other hand, you also won’t benefit from marrying someone with a higher credit score than you. If you apply for a bad credit car loan in your own name, the credit score of your partner is not going to play a role in your approval or denial.

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act also protects your privacy and lenders are not allowed to ask if you are married. If you and your partner apply for credit together as a joint application, they’re still not supposed to ask if you are a married couple. This means you can’t be charged higher interest according to your marital status.

What You Need to Know about Co Signing a Bad Credit Car Loan

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The reason bad credit car loans in St. Louis exist is to help people with less than perfect credit get approved for a car loan from new or used car dealers. Getting approved for this type of loan is easier than a traditional car loan, but there are still some people who need a co signer to qualify. If you’ve been asked to co sign a bad credit car loan, here’s what you should know:

You May Have to Pay for It
While the borrower is primarily responsible for paying back their loan, if for some reason they fail to make payments and you are a co signer on the account, you will be expected to pay for it.

Co Signing Can Affect Your Credit Score
If you co sign a bad credit car loan and the borrower fails to make their payments on time, your credit score can be negatively effected. Also, when first co signing the loan, there is a possibility the additional credit will lower your score as it looks like you’re using more of your available credit.

Before You Co Sign a Loan
You may want to help the family member or friend who has asked you to co sign their car loan. Just be sure you talk about why they need a bad credit loan in the first place – and that you are comfortable with their answer. It’s possible it was outside of the individual’s control and they currently have income to support their debts which they didn’t have previously.

Quick Tips to Increase Your Credit Score for Bad Credit Car Loans

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If you’re considering St. Louis bad credit car loans, you probably already know your credit score is less than ideal. Individual credit scores are used by lenders to determine whether or not they can risk lending you money. The lower your credit score, the higher the risk to the lender. If your credit score is too low, you’ll be turned down by most car loan lenders – and that’s probably what brought you to consider bad credit car loans.

Despite a number of online scams claiming they can raise your credit score hundreds of points overnight, there really isn’t much you can do in a short period of time to fix a terribly low credit score. If your score is just outside the limits for getting a bad credit car loan, however, and you just need to increase it a few points to qualify – there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of getting a Missouri car loan:

Make a Habit of Paying on Time
Most people don’t end up with bad credit simply because they decide not to pay their bills. For the majority of people, a lack of income or debts that are too high to pay on time is what creates a cycle of late payments. Every time you make a payment late, however, your credit score reacts by dropping. Set yourself up with a calendar or digital reminder system for each of your bills, and do everything in your power to get them paid on time. Each time you pay your bills on time, your credit score will slowly improve. If you’re not making enough to cover your debts – get another job, or find ways to decrease your expenses until you get your finances under control again.

Resolve Mistakes and Open Items
Before applying for a bad credit car loan in St. Louis, get a copy of your credit report and check for any errors. Sometimes there are items listed that don’t belong to you or that have reported late payments that are inaccurate. Make an effort to correct any mistakes on your credit report, and find open debts that you were unaware of to start paying off. This can give your credit score a huge boost and help you qualify for a bad credit car loan.

How to Store Your Car for a Long Time: Tips from Cross Keys Auto Used Car Dealership

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Cars are meant to be driven. If you need to store a car for a long period of time, for a month or longer, then you will need to take a few steps to ensure the car is stored safely. Failure to store a car the correct way will probably result in costly repairs for your St. Louis used car when you return. Here are some tips from Cross Keys Auto for storing a car for a long period of time while minimizing the need for repairs:

Fill the Gas Tank and Add Fuel Stabilizer
Before parking the car in it’s storage place, fill the gas tank and add a fuel stabilzer. Drive the car a few miles around St. Louis before parking, too, to make sure the stabilizer has been distributed throughout the engine. Keeping the gas tank full when storing will prevent condensation from forming in the tank when the car isn’t driven for a long period of time.

Put a Tarp or Cloth on the Ground
Lay a tarp or polyethylene cloth on the ground or in the garage or storage unit before driving your car in for storage. This will prevent the moisture from the ground from seeping up into the undercarriage of your car and causing damage.

Put Car on Jack Stands to Keep Weight off Wheels
Once car is in it’s storage position, put it on jack stands and remove the tires. This will keep the weight of the car off the wheels and tires while it’s in storage.

Make Your Car Battery Last Longer: Tips From Cross Keys Auto Used Car Dealership

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For most used cars, the battery will require little maintaining. When a car battery dies, though, it will prevent your car from starting and can be a huge inconvenience. Taking a few extra steps can help prolong the life of your car battery. If you do need to replace the battery, just bring it into our St. Louis used car dealership, Cross Keys Auto, and we’ll install a new car battery for you. Here’s a few tips to maintain your car battery to get the most out of it before it needs replacing:

Keep Your Battery Case Free From Dirt
Most people never think to clean off their car battery case. Taking a damp rag and removing dirt from the case is a good way to prevent the battery from draining earlier than it should. If your used car battery is very dirty, dip a rag in a solution of mild soap (like dish detergent) and warm water to scrub off.

Use a Brass Wire Brush on Battery Posts and Terminals
Some older batteries begin to experience corrosion around the posts and terminals. You can scrub it off with a mixture of baking soda and warm water, using a brass wire brush. You will first need to remove the black and red battery cables to access to posts and terminals. Remove the black cable first, followed by the red cable. Scrub the terminals and posts. Reconnect the cables starting with the red cable first.

When you need a new battery for your St. Louis used car, come in to Cross Keys Auto and we’ll install it for you.

St. Louis Used Car Dealers Offer Overlooked Tips for Car Care

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As a car owner, you’re definitely aware of the normal maintenance you need to keep your car healthy. You know you have to change the oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles or so. You know if the brakes squeal or grind, you need to replace them. You know if there is fluid leaking from the engine, you need to have it repaired – but what you might not realize are the following 3 tips for car care. Cross Keys Auto, a St. Louis used car dealer, offers advice for prolonging the useful life of your car and reduce the costs of maintenance:

Choose When and Where to Get Gas Wisely
When a gas station receives it’s gas delivery, sediments in the underground tanks get stirred up. If you put gas in your car afterward, before the sediments return to the bottom of the tanks, you will end up putting some of those sediments into your own gas tank. This can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors and cause maintenance issues. Find out when your local gas stations receive their gas deliveries and schedule your own fill-ups accordingly.

Don’t Over Turn Your Steering Wheel
If you have a tendency to over steer and turn your steering wheel all the way to the right or left and hold it there for long periods of time – you’ll wind up needing a new power steering pump. Especially when driving used cars, you don’t want to over steer and wear the power steering pump out!

Keep Just Your Keys on Your Chain
Many people dangle all kinds of items from their keychains, from store loyalty cards to their kid’s school pictures. The problem with these extra items on a keychain is when the keys are in your car’s ignition. The extra weight can result in needing a new ignition switch. Keep just your car keys and a house key on your keychain.