Buying Your First Motorcycle?

If you have decided to buy your first motorcycle, seriously consider a used one.  A brand-new bike does depreciate somewhat like a brand-new car so why not take advantage of getting a great used bike at a lower price.  

Once you are ready to start shopping for your bike, take a minute to think about how you are going to use the bike.  Is it for frequent use, to commute to and from work, or mainly weekends and vacations?  Will you be riding long distances or primarily short trips around town?  Are you going to be riding in heavy traffic?  Once you have answers to these questions, you will have a better idea of how to start looking. 

Remember that people often buy more bike than they really need.  Think about the performance you require and find a motorcycle that fits those needs.  Avoid being victim to a sale pitch that pressures you into a bigger or more powerful bike than your new riding skills can/should handle.  The best way to buy your bike is from people who ride them and love them.  Find a dealership that knows motorcycles.  

Another advantage to buying a used bike is if your needs change or you start using the bike a lot more (or less), chances are you will not take as big of a hit financially to trade up or to sell it. Finally before you ride, take a motorcycle safety course and learn all you can in regards to owning and safely riding a bike.  

The Car Show, Inc. has been a trusted name for used vehicles for over 25 years and was chosen to be the "Quality Dealer of the Year" by the Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association (CIADA).  Come in and browse our showroom or check out our online site for the most extensive selection of outstanding used cars, trucks, motorcycles, and new and used RVs. 

Make an Informed Decision When Buying a Used Vehicle

We all know that buying a used vehicle can save you an awful lot of money, but at the same time, we have all heard stories about things that can go wrong.  There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure you make the best choice regarding the vehicle you buy. 

For a start, it is a smart idea to buy from a reputable used car dealer.  Many sell pre-owned vehicles that offer the reassurance of a visual and mechanical inspection and can even provide help with the financial process.  Also dealers have their good name to safeguard and understand that satisfied customers are great advertisements. 

    

Before you go shopping, figure out what type of vehicle you need and how much money you can spend.  If you want a specific make and model, research some alternatives in the same class that are not as popular or expensive for your backup plan.  The Internet is a great resource for finding information on prices, reliability and safety reports, and fuel economy.  Your goal is to make the most informed decision on what car fulfills your needs and stay within budget. 

Be sure to research what features come standard on your vehicle and decide whether it is worth it to you to pay more for the luxury version.   Remember that high-end features are going to command a higher price tag so be sure to figure that information in when adding up the amount of money you want to spend. 

Another useful tool you can find on the Internet is a car loan payment calculator.  Use one to determine what your monthly payment will be.  You can play with the numbers in terms of how much you want to put down and how that amount affects your monthly payment. 

 

Please check out our blog to keep you up-to-date with all the news and happenings at The Car Show as well as with any significant news from the industry. Or better yet, stop by and browse our inventory of the finest selection of Colorado Springs' used cars and trucks.  

Why Buying a Used Car Makes Sense

Generally buying a car is a necessity and should not be considered an investment other than in the case of collectible or classic vehicles.  Some experts cite statistics that a brand-new car typically decreases in value between 25 to 40% over the first two years of ownership.

 

Many new car dealerships now even offer insurance plans to cover the gap owed on the vehicle and the amount of the pay-off in the event the car is totaled during the early stages of the loan.  Furthermore buying a used car not only saves money on the cost of the vehicle but typically on the cost of the insurance premiums you will pay.  

  

One of the reasons why people used to buy brand-new cars no longer holds true.  In years past, only a new vehicle provided owners the safety net of a warranty, and then it was only for a short period of time.  Now warranties last for a much longer period of time and are usually transferable when the car is sold to the next owner.  Additionally many dealers and third-party companies offer extended warranties for older cars to help with repairs.  

Another advantage to buying a used vehicle is that now we have so much more information available to us regarding the condition and background of the vehicle we wish to purchase.  A Pre-Owned Vehicle has passed a rigorous visual and mechanical inspection and many dealers offer free Carfax history reports.

   

Finally today’s vehicles are more reliable than cars were in the past.   According to a recent Forbes Magazine article, cars are built to last an average of 250,000 miles, and today, the average age of cars on the road is 10.8 years old. 

 

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  Our motto is "If it has wheels, we sell it." You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Buying the Right Motorcycle Helmet

The most important piece of equipment you will ever buy to use with your motorcycle is a helmet.  Today’s helmets are designed using advanced technologies and perform better than ever to do their job and protect from injury.  On the other side, there are so many choices available that it is often difficult to figure out what is the safest and most appropriate helmet for your needs.  

 

The most essential thing about a helmet is that it must meet the DOT (Department of Transportation) and updated Snell Memorial Foundation’s standards of safely.  Together both of these recommendations ensure that any helmet with their approval provides protection from impact, penetration, and retention.  

Impact protection is provided by expanded polystyrene or EPS foam inside the shell of a helmet and is designed to absorb the energy and to cushion your head when in an accident.  The shell resists penetration of any foreign object touching your head and distributes the impact load.  Retention is simply the helmet being the right fit and shape for your head to stay on in the event of an impact. 

Basically styles of helmets include full-face, open-face, shorty, and one that is designed for off-road motorcycles.  The best protection is provided by a full-face helmet with a chin bar and a face shield.  Check the face shield to make sure your vision is not distorted when wearing it and that the shield stays in position when raised.  A shorty helmet looks like helmets from the past, but it also meets today’s safety standards. 

      

It is recommended that you wear the helmet you want to buy for a period of time to really get an idea if it is comfortable.  Different brands offer selections of options such as one model that helps to increase visibility at night with battery-powered red LED light in the back of the helmet.  Another offers small air channels to help keep you cool and removable pads that can be washed or replaced.  

The Car Show, Inc. has been a trusted name for used vehicles for over 25 years and was chosen to be the "Quality Dealer of the Year" by the Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association (CIADA).  Come in and browse our showroom or check out our online site for the most extensive selection of outstanding used cars, trucks, motorcycles, and new and used RVs. 

Innovative RV Design that Makes Towing Easier

 

Did you know that there is a RV travel trailer that is so light-weight it can be towed by a minivan?  The TrailManor is an innovative hard-wall, folding trailer that combines all the attributes of a traditional trailer with the convenience of a pop-up tent camper.

If you have never seen a TrailManor, it really is unlike any other travel trailer found on the market today.  The company has been in business for over 25 years producing quality trailers that set up in about two minutes and fold down as easily.   The TrailManor requires a simple release of safety latches, and then using a pull system that is counter-balanced to make setting up as easy as opening up a trunk.

 

 

According to the TrailManor website, the 30-foot TrailManor can be towed by most any make of minivan, crossover, or SUV and only requires about one extra gallon of gas to tow the trailer 100 miles.  It is engineered to reduce wind resistance and manufactured with light-weight walls made of expanded polystyrene laminated with aluminum for strength.  Since the trailer is about five feet high when closed, it makes for easy storage in a garage.

A TrailManor is equipped with all the features of a traditional trailer such as a kitchen with stove and oven, sink, and refrigerator as well as a hard-wall bathroom with shower and tub.  Amenities include maple cabinets & wood grain floors, with additional options available such as a TV antenna or satellite dish, and even a solar panel.  The latest model added to the TrailManor line-up is available in three floor plans, all with a king-size bed, tows at only 17’ & compares to a 24’ travel trailer when opened (dry weight just over 2000 lbs!)

There is a camping club for TrailManor Owners called TrailManor Trailblazers, which was started by fellow TrailManor owners.  It offers the opportunity to meet new friends, share tips, and learn about good camping areas.  The club holds rallies and even publishes a newsletter.  Membership includes a 10% discount on all parts ordered directly from TrailManor as well as on any service work done at the factory.  

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  While we understand there are many used car dealerships in Colorado Springs, our outstanding customer service sets us apart.  You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles.