Secret Information

A few new things are happening in the Hyundai world. And I think you deserve to hear about them. Some of them are pretty big, maybe you've caught wind of them already.

1. Hyundai is looking forward to making a Hybrid Plug In by 2013. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has certainly stirred the waters, but now they're saying Hyundai could take down the Toyota Prius. Could it be? Read more here. Not to mention Hyundai is looking to make all of their cars 50 MPG by 2025. Wow.


2. Here it comes: The Veloster. Oh jeez, I cannot wait to get my hands on this car. It's a 3 - door Coupe, made to take over the Tiburon. Anyway, they offered Autoblog a ride in this car, around the block, as passengers. But they gladly accepted and LOVED what they saw. Me too. We're going to have to wait a little bit longer for the release. Sometimes patience is a virtue.

Setting your fears at ease.

Oh, we get it. Buying a car is a big deal. And we understand you are probably uneasy. Let us soothe your fears and relate to you. So that your fears don't talk you out of it. Because new cars are just SO much fun.

Here are the biggest things going through your mind right now (or so I think).

1. This is expensive.


We know! You may have to remind your salesman because they are used to casually talking about $15,000+ because it's what they do all day. But it doesn't mean that if they were in your seat that they would be hopping with excitement to cough up their $15,000.
Trust me.
Plus, I am not sure if I've ever seen any of the salesmen hop.


2. This is a HUGE decision.


Oh yea, next to a house a car is probably the next expensive thing...or maybe college tuition (?).
We are SO EXCITED that you picked US to advise & help you through this exciting process. Whether it's your first car or 100th car, it is still extraordinary.

"First of all let me say that you are making a good choice. Recently, America, along with the rest of the world, has watched Hyundai climb to the top. Not only is Hyundai hiking to the top of the automobile mountain, but they are also taking the inexpensive route. Let's just say Hyundai is budget friendly without lacking in beauty. It would be as if you married the most incredibly frugal man and yet you still managed to stay in NICE hotels on each out of town occasion (two words: Price Line) while still saving for your dream home...stress-free perfection. For example: the 2011 Sonata (which came out in January 2010, how cool were you if you purchased it then?) has been named one of the 10 top best cars - and humble Hyundai is being compared to the likes of Mercedes, Jaguar and BMW...holy smokes!" From the About Us Page.


**Give us this. Every customer is different. Some have done their homework, researched & researched and know exactly what they want, exactly what color and have already test driven it. Twice. Then, some people end up wandering onto our lot because they saw our billboard and couldn't help themselves when they saw the Genesis Coupe. You are all at varying degrees of preparedness. I can say I hadn't done any research when I pulled into work and my truck was smoking under the hood, but I had to drive home that night. Let us know where you're at and we can take time to explain things or skip over the silly explanations.

3. I am afraid to be embarrassed.

Oh my goodness, I know. Considering when I purchased my Sonata in 2009, it was the first time my credit had ever been pulled. I kept running my mouth trying to explain all the reasons why it could be low. But seriously, I had never had a credit card before. Basically, in this economy we are all lucky to have any credit at all. And the people here would love to put you in a car no matter what shape you're in. But trust me, we will do what we can to help you and not be pushy.

If you want a few more tips, check out this article.

Happy Memorial Day!

photo courtesy of dosomethingcool.net

Pile into my Santa fe, let's go to the beach.

Hello, Summer! Haven't we all been to several Graduation Parties by now, and we are sitting in work daydreaming about our Memorial Day Weekend trip...Summer is here! This weekend, I am not going anywhere, but I am celebrating my birthday...today.

In honor of our summer day dreams let me introduce you to one of our most popular SUV's on the lot. We are stocking up for all of your summer needs.

This trunk space will not only allow for quick trips to the grocery store for your block party, but it will also fit all of your kids suitcases for camp. No kids for a week...sweet bliss.

The summer trips you could take in this SUV are countless. And you'll be sure to be seen on the road, and with an estimated MPG at 19/26, you can AFFORD to be seen.

I have decided there is truly nothing worse than purchasing a car you cannot afford to keep, but the Santa Fe GLS clocks in at just over $22,000. Now, I can afford that.

Be sure to swing in, this Memorial Day Weekend and see about our 2011 Santa Fe.

Credit Score Frenzy.

Do you ever find yourself awake at night worrying about your credit score? mmmm, I have.

**Estimate 70 million Americans wrestle with this problem and almost EVERYONE wrestles with it at some point in life.

We work in a world where your credit score matters. Prior to going out and looking for a new car you might take a look at your credit score, mistakes can hurt your score and force you to pay higher interest rates. And you can petition to have your mistakes corrected and fix your score in a flash.

Credit Bureaus (there are 3 - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) compile information you regarding your

• current and past addresses
• amount of debt you carry
• what KIND of debt you carry
• lenders names & payment history
• how often credit inquiries are made
• history of liens and bankruptcies
  

A credit score can rank anywhere between 300 (the lowest) and 850 (the tip top best). Lenders use these credit scores as a general indicator of how trustworthy you are with credit.

A few things that can help you from our Eckert Hyundai website. You can fill out a credit application now from the privacy of your own home and wait while you search for your new wheels. One more thing, you can do, if you're tight on cash or you want to get a shorter term loan check out our cars under $10k.

This one is my favorite Eckert Hyundai Car under $10K

The Hybrid flows like water.

Here's why we have a hard time keeping a Sonata Hybrid on our lot.
They are perfect.



A few things to note. This baby starts below $26,000. Go ahead and try to find something cheaper. The gas mileage is incredible. 35 MPG city and 40 MPG highway. Hyundai pursued going in their own direction to produce a hybrid car that would reduce weight and improve highway fuel economy. The new 6-speed automatic transmission and electric motor addresses the complaint that hybrids are boring to drive.



The lightweight lithium-polymer battery is not the heavy battery that takes more gas. It's the lightest vehicle in it's segment - 263 pounds lighter than the Ford Fusion.

We actually have 3 on our lot right now. That never happens! Enjoy this blue moon and come on in!

Work in Alabama

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Not slowing down, huh?

Hyundai is planning to invest $173 million "to expand it's production facilities at it's plant in Alabama." The plant will be equipped to produce 2.4-liter engines, 2.0-liter turbo engines as well as 1.8-liter Nu gasoline engines for the Hyundai Elantra. With the expansion, the manufacturing plant in Alabama will be able to roll out 330,000 units as opposed to the 300,000 prior to the remodel. This investment is also expected to create 214 new jobs and the construction (beginning this fall) will end March 2012.

This is all happening because, get this, Hyundai posted record monthly sales in April. a 40% increase from 1 year ago.

40%? That is amazing - Couldn't have done it without you! Come let us thank you ourselves!

Do I Need a Co-Signer?

It has been a while since I have written a finance blog and since they seem to be popular (people have got $$$ on the brain), then I will indulge you.

Do you need a co-signer?
Well, maybe. Let's see. If you have never had a credit card, yes, probably. If you have never had a loan before or fear you have no credit, then yes, definitely. If you just know you have bad credit, then yes.

But a co-signer can do a world of good for you. If you pick a friend or family member that has great credit, a Bank will be likely be willing to help you! A co-signer is a great way to help you build good credit, as long as you don't skip payments or default the loan you'll be in the perfect position to sign alone next time.

Lenders want to see a good record with previous loans, if you've never taken out a loan, they don't have a reason to trust you and you'll be denied. Finding yourself a good co-signer will save you lots of wasted time and heartache. The best part of this whole deal is if you pay off your loan in time, both you and your cosigner will benefit from good credit....uh, there is a flip side to that.

Be careful who you choose YOUR loan is dependent upon THEIR credit score. And don't you want a loan? You can get good credit and you can get a car.

My Story: In 2009 my truck died driving to work (Eckert Hyundai, how lucky). I found a car in my price range (phew!) and was able to put money down and my dad was more than willing to cosign with me. I had JUST graduated from college a year ago, never had a credit card and the only thing I was toting was school loans which I was paying monthly. My credit score actually wasn't bad at all, but I had never taken a non-educational loan and no banks could trust my name, sadly they tend to assume the worst. I wish I had taken my dad's advice of getting a credit card in college, charging it for gas and paying it off monthly, but I didn't. So now I am almost paid off on a car that is under my dad's name and mine. And I'm probably improving his credit as I am mine.

ok ok, so what do YOU really need to do here?

1. Be realistic, find a car in your budget, which lucky for you Hyundai is known for luxury wrapped in value.
2. Find a trusting family member or friend with good credit (I picked Dad). Ask them if they'd be willing to co-sign a loan and be honest with them about the terms, the rates, the monthly payments, how much your putting down, etc.
   
3. Make sure the payments are something you can handle or you will have a very angry friend or family member.
   
4. Alright, test drive, apply and take home a new car.

This website is also helpful www.firstcarguide.com