Blog

Choosing a vehicle is a huge decision, and so is deciding how to pay for it. Should you lease or finance? Each option has pros and cons, and what may be best for one customer might not be right for the next. more Why Lease? Some Bay Area residents prefer leasing for a variety of reasons. The biggest reason people choose to lease instead of finance is that they want to drive the newest vehicles with the latest tech and features. Leasing allows drivers to take advantage of driving a new car without many of the responsibilities that come with ownership. It’s essentially like renting the vehicle; you drive it for a certain period under certain terms, then return it to the dealership at the end of the lease. Then, you have the option to purchase the vehicle or lease a brand new model. There are financial benefits to leasing, as well. Since there’s no down payment, the upfront cost can be lower. Lease specials can lower your monthly payment even further, even on a brand new upgrade with all the bells and whistles. Why Finance? Others in the Bay Area are looking for an investment, and financing is more of an investment than leasing is. Financing allows you to build equity in the vehicle, which can be more of a benefit for some customers. There’s more freedom with financing, too. Despite a higher upfront cost and monthly payment, there are no lease terms to follow when you purchase the vehicle yourself. You can drive it as much as you want and customize it how you like without having to worry about fees. Once you finish paying for the vehicle, it’s yours to do with what you want. You can trade it in and put the value toward your next vehicle, which may be able to help you find an even better model that’s still within your budget. Find Your Next Vehicle at Carnamic Still can’t decide whether to finance or lease your next vehicle? A specialist at Carnamic can help you decide! We can go over all of our current specials at each of our Bay Area locations, help you get credit approval, and find the right vehicle for you. Contact us today to learn more!

Choosing how you finance your vehicle purchase can be a difficult decision. You want the best deal, but you also want options that fit into your budget and your schedule. Enter dealership financing! These are some of the biggest perks of financing your next car purchase directly through the dealership. more More Convenient Everyone loves convenience, and financing through the dealership offers just that. You can fill out your financing paperwork before going on a test drive, or you can save even more time by getting pre-approved beforehand. The finance department submits the paperwork for you to get you the best rates available; then, once you choose your new vehicle, all you have to do is sign and drive home in your new ride. Saves Time Choosing your next car, truck, or SUV isn’t always a fast and easy decision; so once it’s time to actually go through with the purchase, you might be looking to save some time during the process. Getting your financing through the dealership saves time on shopping around for a car loan. You can get in and out of the dealership faster so you can start to enjoy your new car right away. Better Deals When you finance through the dealership, you can access special offers on lease and other financing options for your next vehicle. Banks and credit unions rarely offer loan specials, but dealerships can extend the best deals to their customers. Check out the latest offers online before you buy, or contact the dealership directly to learn more about the best current deals available to you. Flexible Terms If you’re looking for a long-term car loan to lower your monthly payment, you might not find the right loan terms available at your local bank. However, dealerships can often extend loan terms to fit your budget while getting you in the car you want. Likewise, you can also choose a short-term loan with a lower interest rate to pay off your vehicle sooner. The biggest benefit is that dealership financing gives you the flexibility you need with terms that work with your wallet. Discover Available Financing Options at Carnamic! Are you curious about this month’s financing specials? Do you want to see how easy it is to get financing pre-approved for a new car? At Carnamic, we offer versatile financing options for our customers across the Bay Area. Whether you plan to lease or purchase, we can help you find the best financing plan after getting you behind the wheel of your dream vehicle. Contact us today to learn more about our financing options or to schedule a test drive today!

Ready to buy your next vehicle? The car buying process can be lengthy, but it doesn’t have to be. Going in with as much information as possible can help you make the best decision, and following our tips for test driving makes the process a breeze. more Do Your Research While some drivers have a specific make, model, and trim level in mind, many others come in to test drive several vehicles. It’s totally fine to be unsure of exactly what you want; that’s what the test drive is for, anyway. However, it’s never a bad idea to do some research beforehand. Look at the specs of a few different types of vehicles and decide if you see any must-have features. Get an idea of the style of vehicle you’re looking for (car, truck, SUV, crossover, etc.) and make note of anything that catches your eye. What’s Your Car’s Value? If you’re planning to trade in your current vehicle, you should get an idea of its value before you go in for a test drive. Use Carnamic’s online tool and enter some information about your car to get an instant offer. Then, you can shop knowing the actual value of your vehicle and whether your favorite new car can fit into your budget. Get Pre-Approved for Financing You should set aside several hours for your test drive. Although it can be somewhat time-consuming - it’s a big decision, after all - there are a few things you can do to save time. Applying for financing pre-approval serves other purposes, as well. In addition to saving you time at signing, it can also help you decide on a budget before you begin car shopping. That way, you know to only look at models in your price range. Make an Appointment Some test drives are spur-of-the-moment. However, if you’ve been considering your next car for a while, you should know that you can make an appointment ahead of time. Not only will the dealership know what you’re looking for and help you find it, you can also be sure that there’s no wait. Have a Plan It’s helpful to go into your test drive with a solid plan. Bring a checklist of everything you want to check during the test drive like the stereo or any new high-tech features you’re interested in. Be sure to drive on city streets and the highway to get an idea of what it’s like to drive the vehicle. You can check out more tips for going on a test drive here. At Carnamic, we make car shopping in the Bay Area simple. Shop all of our locations online, then schedule your test drive at the nearest Carnamic! Contact us today to learn more.

Thinking of trading your old car for a newer model? If you’re still making payments on your current ride, you might think you need to wait before selling or trading in for a new one. That’s not the case, though; you can sell or trade in a vehicle you still owe money on, and here’s what you need to know to get started. more How Much is Your Car Worth? The first step to take before selling or trading is discovering the value of your vehicle. Using Carnamic’s online tool, you can easily get an instant quote by entering information about your vehicle like its age, mileage, and other details. How Much Do You Still Owe? Once you have an idea of your car’s value, it’s time to find out how much you owe on your loan. Because interest rates can change the exact amount owed by the day, you should get in touch with your lender to discover whether you have positive or negative equity on your vehicle. Positive Equity Having positive equity means that your car is worth more than you owe on it. Positive equity is ideal because it means that you can apply that equity towards the cost of your trade-in or get more for the sale. Negative Equity With negative equity, you owe more than your car is worth. Negative equity can make selling or trading more difficult because you’ll need to pay off the outstanding debt before you can move forward with the trade or sale. Contact Your Lender Now that you know more about your car’s value and loan balance, you can contact your lender to let them know that you’re planning to sell or trade. Depending on where you financed your original car, the company will advise you on what you’ll need to complete the sale such as paperwork. Get Financing Pre-Approval Although you can get financing at the time of sale or trade, you can speed up the process by getting pre-approved for financing. Simply enter your information on our website to get pre-approved for financing on the spot. Sell or Trade at Carnamic At Carnamic, we make the trade-in process simple. With our online tools and helpful team members, you can be sure that you’re getting the best deal possible when you sell or trade at one of our Bay Area locations. We’re here to help you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to contact us before browsing our selection of new and used models.

When it’s time to purchase a new vehicle, most people pay with a car loan. It’s one of the largest - and most important - purchases a person can make. Car loans sound simple; you borrow money for your car and pay it back over time along with interest. However, there’s more to consider than the basics when it comes time to finance a new or used vehicle. Keep reading to learn about which factors impact your auto loan the most. more There are typically several factors that play into the amount of money you’ll pay with an auto loan. Down Payment Many car buyers have some cash on hand to put toward their purchase, but not the total amount. A down payment can help lower your monthly payment or the amount of time you’ll be paying off a loan. Trade Trading in a vehicle impacts a car loan in a similar way as making a down payment. Instead of cash, you can trade in your used vehicle. The dealership will put the value of your trade toward the purchase of your new vehicle, lowering the amount that you owe. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) The APR is the amount you pay each year toward a vehicle including all interest and fees. Essentially, it’s the yearly cost of the loan. APR is different from your interest rate. It represents the big picture of the cost of borrowing money for your vehicle purchase. Loan Term The length of your loan will determine how much you’re paying monthly and for how long. Short-term loans will give you a higher monthly payment with less time to pay off the loan, but you’ll pay less in interest overall. A longer term loan equates to a smaller monthly payment with more interest paid over the length of the term. All these components come together to affect your monthly payment towards an auto loan. No two loans are the same. Credit score can be a factor in determining interest rates and loan approval, and other monthly expenses can contribute to the terms of the loan you choose. Finance Your Next Vehicle at Carnamic At Carnamic, we strive to make the auto loan process as simple and stress-free as possible. You can get pre-approved right here on our website, a view of your monthly payment, and hassle-free shopping when you choose Carnamic. Contact us today to learn more about our financing options and to find your dream car at one of our many Bay Area locations.

Finding an affordable and reliable vehicle can take a lot of work. You want to get a good deal while ensuring you find a vehicle that meets - or exceeds - all your needs. Shopping for vehicles within your budget in the Bay Area is a lot easier at Carnamic! We currently have over 50 pre-owned vehicles listed under $20,000 available right now across our Bay Area locations. more Find Your Match Think you don’t have many options that are easy on your wallet? Think again - at Carnamic, we have tons of choices under $20,000. We’re sure we can find the right vehicle for you, whether that’s a hybrid, SUV, or luxury model. For example, our current inventory includes vehicles like the 2021 Honda Insight, 2017 Jeep Renegade, and 2021 Nissan Rogue. You can use our online shopping feature to narrow down your search and find the right make, model, body style, and more. Secure Financing Once you have one or more vehicles in mind, it’s time to apply for financing. You can apply right here on our website to get pre-qualified, which can also help you make the best decision. If you have a vehicle you’d like to trade in, you can also get an estimate on the trade-in value. That way, when it’s time to buy, you have an idea of what you’ll be paying. Take a Test Drive When you’re ready, it’s time for a test drive. It’s always a good idea to test drive any vehicle to get a feel for how it operates. Test driving gives you an opportunity to find any flaws or things you do and don’t like about the vehicle you had in mind. Read some of our top test driving tips here before paying us a visit! You can schedule a test drive online or by phone at any of our Bay Area dealerships. Find Your Next Ride at Carnamic New or used, we’re here for you! Explore everything we have to offer at Carnamic right here on our website. If you see something that catches your eye, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us. As always, all pricing is Simple and upfront to get you in the vehicle that you've been searching for.

You've had your eye on that new car for a while now, and you're ready to take steps to make it yours. It has all the newest technology, most advanced safety features, and enough room to haul the kids and cargo. But now you're faced with a decision: should you lease or finance the vehicle? Both have their advantages. If you like the thought of swapping vehicles often for the newest models, then leasing might be the right choice for you. How does a car lease work? Follow Carnamic's car leasing guide to learn more! more Car Leasing 101 A car lease is an agreement between us, the dealership, and you, the lessee. You pay an agreed monthly payment in order to drive the vehicle - almost like a rental agreement. Instead of paying toward ownership of the vehicle, you're essentially paying toward the estimated depreciation. So what's the advantage of leasing? When you choose to lease, you don't need to worry about a loan. A lease has a set term (usually between 2-5 years) which means that you drive your vehicle of choice for that amount of time. Once the term is up, you have the option to trade in for a brand new vehicle. That gives you access to all the latest and greatest developments and allows you to try out a vehicle that might not otherwise be in your budget. However, leases will have other terms and conditions, like mileage limits or fees for excessive wear and tear. What happens when a lease is over? Once your lease term comes to an end, you have a few options. Return your vehicle to us, trade it in for a new one, or purchase your lease. If you choose to return your lease, you'll bring your vehicle back to Carnamic. We'll perform an inspection and you can simply walk away. Of course, you can also choose to trade in your lease for a brand new vehicle. If you fall in love with your leased vehicle, you have the option to purchase or finance the remaining value. What you choose is up to you! Find New Vehicles Today at Carnamic Learn more about our leasing options at Carnamic! We can find the right lease terms for you, then help you choose your favorite vehicle off of one of our lots. If you decide that leasing isn't right for you, you can also explore our financing options. Visit a Bay Area Carnamic location today to get started.

Moving, downsizing, trading up - there are plenty of reasons you might want to sell your current car, truck, or SUV. Whatever your reason, we make selling your car in the Bay Area simple! At Carnamic, we're the Bay Area's source for new and used vehicles, but that's not all we do. In order to sell used vehicles at the best prices, we need a pre-used inventory, and that's where you come in. more What's my car worth? Whether you want to simply sell or trade in for a new model, your first question might be: what's my car worth? Knowing your car's value is helpful if you're looking to budget for a big purchase or put it towards a new vehicle. If you want an estimate for your car's value, our website is a great place to start. Fill out this form with details about your car's make, model, year, and condition. Then, we'll assess its value and offer an estimate. It's as easy as that! Our simple pricing takes all the guesswork out of finding out your car's value so you can sell with confidence. Sell or Trade Not sure if you want to sell or make a trade? No problem! Once you have an estimate for your car's value, you can browse our new and used inventory to find a vehicle that catches your eye. We're also just as happy to purchase your car and send you on your way. If you do find a new car you like, though, we're here to help you find financing and lease options that cover the remaining value after your trade-in. When you're ready to start, just visit one of our many conveniently located Bay Area locations to start your sale or trade. Carnamic is your one-stop shop for all your car selling needs. Sell Your Car at Carnamic So, are you ready to sell? Contact the Carnamic team today for personalized service and assistance with your sale or trade. Our team is ready to help and answer any of your questions about car selling or trade-in process. We look forward to buying your car!

Nobody likes being faced with an unexpected repair bill, especially when it’s out of budget. What do you do when you have an auto repair that’s not covered by your warranty or insurance? Auto repair financing is an option to help you when you need the extra cash to cover a big repair. It’s like a car loan, but specifically for repairs, covering a specific amount with set repayment terms. If you need repair financing in the Bay Area, you can turn to Carnamic. Learn more about our financing options and what they can cover below! more What does auto repair financing cover? Auto repair financing can cover just about any type of maintenance or repair that you can’t immediately pay for out of pocket. That can include everything from new tires to oil change and even electrical services. Windshield wipers, broken windows, fuel flushes - everything is covered with an auto repair loan, and you can get more than one service done at a time. Once you apply and get approved, you can put that amount toward any type of services or repairs to get your vehicle back on the road. Then, all you need to do is make monthly payments, which are usually short-term. How do I apply for auto repair financing? You can apply for financing at one of our Bay Area dealerships or right here on our website. Loans are subject to credit approval, and your interest rate and payment terms may vary. After you’re approved, you can bring your vehicle to any of Carnamic’s Bay Area dealerships. We have several locations that specialize in different brands, including Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Hyundai, and INFINITI. Each location has a service center with trained technicians who can complete your repairs with precision and skill, allowing you to drive away with confidence. Auto Repair Financing at Carnamic Applying for financing at Carnamic is simple. You can contact our finance team for more details and assistance with your application. If you’d rather trade in your vehicle, we can help with that, too! View our inventory of new and used vehicles before making a trade and skipping repairs altogether. Either way, your Bay Area Carnamic has everything you need to get behind the wheel of the vehicle you need.

Buying your next vehicle can be exciting, but it's easy to get bogged down in the details. One of the biggest decisions to make, other than choosing the right vehicle for you, is where to get vehicle financing. When you purchase your car, truck, or SUV at a Carnamic dealership, the good news is that you can get your financing right here! Explore our financing options and learn more below. more Financing Options at Carnamic Whether you're buying new or used, trading or leasing, there's an option for everyone at the Carnamic family of dealerships. That's because we can tailor a financing package specifically to suit your needs. To begin, apply online for pre-approval. Applying online is simple and secure, so you can come into one of our dealerships already knowing what you're approved for. You can also take a sale or trade into account, which will lower your overall cost. If you're planning to sell or trade, you can use our online tool to calculate the amount you'll get for your trade. We use the Kelly Blue Book value based on age, condition, and several other factors before offering a final price that you can then apply to your next vehicle. Once you have your numbers figured out, you can get in touch. Or, if you'd like more personalized service, our team is always here to help with the financing application process. Our goal is to get you a great deal, so we offer Simple Pricing that allows you to know the cost of your next vehicle on the spot. It also helps make the buying process easier since you'll know what you qualify for upfront, which can avoid disappointment if you find a vehicle you love that's out of your price range. Find Vehicles in the Bay Area at Carnamic Ready to find your next vehicle? We're here to help! We have a large variety of new and used vehicles across the Bay Area, including San Leandro, San Jose, Redwood City, and more. Please take your time browsing online inventory and contact us if you see something that catches your eye.

When you're looking at a new vehicle, you have two options for payment: leasing and purchasing. Both require a credit approval and monthly financing. But what's the difference between the two? Being informed of your options can help you make the right choice and get the best deal on your new vehicle. more Leasing Think of leasing like you would renting; you're paying a monthly payment for the use of the vehicle without paying toward owning it. Just as you would sign the lease to rent an apartment, leasing a vehicle has a preset term limit before you return it back to the dealership, which can be either a length of time or a specific mileage limit. A lease may or may not require a down payment, which can depend on your credit application. There are several pros and cons when it comes to leasing a vehicle. One of the main benefits is a lower cost. Leasing typically comes with a lower monthly payment, and since you're leasing a new vehicle, there's no worry about the wear and tear you're incurring. New vehicles are most likely covered under warranty, so you have added protection during your lease term. However, the downside is that you're paying toward something you'll never own. You might be limited to how often or far you can drive the vehicle due to mileage limitations, and you'll rack up extra charges if you go over that limit. Purchasing When you choose to purchase a vehicle, it's more like buying a home. Your payment goes toward the vehicle, making you the owner once your loan is paid off. At the time of purchase, you'll submit a credit application, submit a down payment, and receive financing through the dealership or your own bank. Then, each month, you'll pay a set monthly amount toward the ownership of your vehicle. The monthly payment tends to be higher, but it might be worth it knowing you'll eventually be the full owner. When you purchase, you're free to customize your vehicle and drive it as often or as far as you'd like without any penalties. Purchasing does have its downsides, though. You're totally responsible for all maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle for as long as you own it, and depreciation rates can be unpredictable. Buy or Lease with Carnamic Whether you choose to lease or purchase, you can find your next new vehicle here at Carnamic! We offer in-house financing, hassle-free lease options, and a huge selection of new vehicles at any of our Bay Area locations. Contact us today to discuss your options and get help finding your new car!

So, you’ve decided it’s time to get a new-to-you vehicle. Whether you’re shopping for a car that’s actually new or a pre-owned model, you’re likely going to require financing to help pay for the vehicle. Whether you’re going to opt for an automotive loan or choose to lease your vehicle, the lender will need to determine your creditworthiness. It’s important to know the difference between a soft pull and a hard pull, so that you know how your credit score might be affected throughout the process. more Soft vs Hard Credit Check The bare-bones explanation of soft vs hard credit checks is that a hard pull will always affect your credit, while soft pulls never will. We’ll explain each to give you a better idea of the differences between them. A company might do a soft pull as part of a background check. This might include potential employers, credit card companies, insurance companies and so on. A soft pull simply gives the viewer a review of your credit, rather than any in-depth details. A hard pull, on the other hand, is a more in-depth look at your credit history, as it is used to determine whether or not you’re worthy of being given some sort of loan or credit. For example, a company might request a hard pull if they’re potentially lending you money, opening a line of credit for you, or renting you an apartment. Hard pulls, especially many of them in a short amount of time, can negatively affect your credit score. Why buy from Carnamic? As you can see, it’s important to manage the types of credit checks companies might be making, so that your credit score isn’t affected. When you decide to purchase a vehicle from Carnamic and utilize our automotive financing, we’ll discuss your employment and finances directly before ever running your credit. That way, we can make sure that we are sending your application to the most qualified lenders based on your personal situation. We pride ourselves on executing this process to not only make sure that you’re getting approved, but to make sure you’re getting the best and rate and to minimize the impact on your credit score as much as possible. If you’re interested in learning more about our automotive financing process or have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Otherwise, be sure to check out our inventory to find your next vehicle!