It's almost dinner time!

On Thursday, November 12, 2015, Capital RV Center, Comfort Inn, iHeart Media, and Schwan Buick GMC Cadillac, will honor area veterans, active military, law enforcement officers, and first responders with a turkey dinner with all the trimmings at Bismarck-Mandan Elks Lodge #1199, 900 S. Washington Street, Bismarck, ND. Their spouses are invited as well.

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE at Schwan Buick GMC Cadillac. Tickets will be available at Capital RV Center and Comfort Inn beginning on October 14.

Tickets (at no cost) are required for admittance. Tickets may be picked up at Schwan Buick GMC Cadillac, Capital RV, and Comfort Inn. Military ID or proof of service required. Limit 2 tickets per veteran, military member, law enforcement officer, or first responder.

Request tickets for one of three seating times. Seating times are 10:30 to 11:30; 11:30 to 12:30; and 12:30 to 1:30. There are 1500 tickets available.

For additional information, please visit http://www.schwancadillac.com/Veterans-Dinner


 

Buick: Exceeding Expectations

Check Out the GMC Sierra

Customize Your Ride

3 Moments Rarely Captured on Film

I took a walk through our service department to capture a few photos of the activity there.  What captions do you propose?

How to Cool Your Vehicle Quickly

Summer in North Dakota can be short but intense.  When you enter your vehicle after it has been parked in the hot sun, there are a few tips you can take advantage of to help the interior of your vehicle cool faster.

Direct cool air into the foot wells

1)  Remember that hot air rises.  Open your windows a bit, turn your AC as cold as it goes, and change the setting on your ventilation system so that the air blows into the foot wells.  The cooler air will enter the lower portion of the cabin and will push the hotter air out the window.

Recirculate cool air

2)  Take advantage of the difference in temperature between the outside and the inside.  The air inside your vehicle is hotter than the air outside.  When you start your car, allow the AC unit to pull in fresh air from the outside.  Once the air inside the vehicle is cooler than the outside air, use the recirculate feature to recycle the cooler air through the AC system.  This will cool the air moving through the system even faster.  

3)  Use a sunshade when you park your car.  These block the sunshine from heating the interior of the car as quickly, and they can prevent sun damage to your dash and upholstery.  Order a shade for your Buick, GMC, Cadillac, or Chevy at http://www.schwancadillac.com/GMAccessories

How hot does the inside of a vehicle get?
Interesting Facts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
"Even outside temperatures in the 60s can cause a car temperature to rise well above 110° F. When the outside temperature is 83° F, even with the window rolled down 2 inches, the temperature inside the car can reach 109° F in only 15 minutes."

And from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
“Cars parked in direct sunlight can reach internal temperatures up to 131° F - 172° F (55° C – 78° C) when outside temperatures are 80° F – 100° F (27° C – 38° C)."

Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, August 2015

Schwan Buick GMC Cadillac is proud to offer the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.

Massaging Seat?

A 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum is now on our lot. It has a number of premium features, including 360-views when the vehicle is in reverse.  Oh, and four DVD screens.  An even more delightful feature, though, is the massaging driver's seat.

You can view photos of the Escalade models we have available by visiting our website, www.schwancadillac.com.

In the Driver's Seat: 2015 Sierra 1500

Sit in the driver's seat of a 2015 Sierra 1500 SLT All-Terrain

Power at Your Fingertips

For the 2015 model year, GMC redesigned the Yukon and the Yukon XL.  Great features abound in the new models.  One of the most noticeable changes, however, is the addition of power-folding 2nd and 3rd row seats.  When folded down, the seats turn into a flat cargo area.

Check out this video to see a demonstration of the power at your fingertips.

If you would like to see more about the features available in a GMC Yukon or Yukon XL, please shop our inventory at www.schwancadillac.com

Tips to Get The Best Value for Your Trade-in

You may love your car and may be willing to overlook its flaws; the dealership manager who will be appraising your car does not feel that same attachment. He or she will be looking at your car with an objective eye and will be considering whether or not it will be profitable to resell. What can you do to increase the odds of a love connection between the dealership and your trade-in vehicle? Here are tips you can follow to present your vehicle in the best light possible and, hopefully, to get a better price for your trade.

Managers know that potential buyers notice how a car looks, smells, and runs, so they check those things when appraising a potential trade-in vehicle.

On the outside
Wash your car, and look it over in good lighting. If you notice any paint chips or scratches, consider having those fixed with a quality repair. But if you think you may make a mess with the touch-up paint, leave it alone. It is better to leave a few gravel chips than to have noticeable blotches of touch-up paint. If there are small dents, check into having those fixed with PDR or paintless dent repair.

If the car needs to have scuffs or minor body work addressed, have those taken car of before having your car appraised.

On the inside
Clean your car thoroughly. Even wash out the cup holders and vacuum under the seats. Vacuum the trunk or cargo area, too. If the seats or carpets have stains or tears, take care of those as much as you can. Carefully wash the engine area as well. A car that looks as though it has been well cared for is likely to sell better. Give your vehicle the "sniff test" to determine if it smells like dirty socks or like a car another person may want to buy. Air fresheners may be helpful, but stick with those which neutralize odors rather than covering them.

Under the hood
Gather your service records and repair history. Providing documentation that you have taken care of your vehicle may improve its value. If your vehicle has an fluid leaks or mechanical issues, either fix them or reveal them. You want the dealership to be honest with you, so you should be honest with them as well.

In your mind
Do your research. Using various tools, gather information about what your vehicle may be worth as a trade-in vehicle. When inputting information into an online form, be brutally honest about your vehicle's flaws and blemishes. If the online tool you use gives a range of likely trade-in values, prepare yourself mentally for the dealership to make you an offer toward the lower end of the scale. The after-market customization you added to your vehicle will likely not add to its value. The dings or drips you think do not matter may actually matter quite a bit. The dealership will also take into account what the market is like and how quickly they will be able to match your trade-in vehicle with another customer.

So in the end, you are setting up your vehicle on a blind date of sorts. You love that vehicle, you value it, and you think everyone else will see the same great features you see. Do what you can to give it a "spa day" before the big date, and then step back and see if the dealership will have an instant love connection with your vehicle.  Who knows? Maybe you will rekindle your own love for the vehicle and will decide it is a keeper.


Suggested Online Appraisal Tools:
Kelley Blue Book
Edmunds
NADA Guides

An Insider's View: What I Learned About Car Dealerships

Are there aspects of car dealerships or the car buying process which remain a mystery to you, no matter how much time you spend at a dealership?  Let me clear up some of those mysteries for you.

I am Chandra, the internet manager at Schwan Buick GMC Cadillac.  I have been working at the dealership for slightly under two years.  I joined the team with a lot of experience in customer service but no experience in the auto industry or in a sales atmosphere.  During my time as a dealership employee, I have learned answers to many of the questions I used to have about the process of buying a vehicle and how car dealerships operate.  I hope I can clear up some of your questions as well.

Why does the sales consultant want my name and contact information? I just want to look at cars!
A dealership may not have the exact vehicle you are looking for, or pricing on the vehicle you are considering may change.  A good sales consultant will let you know when similar vehicles arrive or when incentives change in your favor.

I want to take a test drive, but I am not ready to buy.  Can I still drive the car?
Taking a test drive is the best way to determine the value a vehicle brings.  Please let the sales consultant know that you are still narrowing down your options but that you are considering this vehicle.

I don't like the numbers the sales consultant gave me, or I do not like the way the sale consultant spoke with me.  Can I work with someone else?
Typically, it is the managers who determine the numbers a customer sees for a trade value or a purchase price, so working with a different sales consultant will likely not change the numbers.  However, if you feel that your first sales consultant did not have your best interests in mind or did not treat you respectfully, please ask a manager to connect you with a different sales consultant.  Do not be hesitant to tell the manager why you are requesting the change.

Will I get a better price if I pay cash instead of financing?
For the purchase of a used vehicle, the price you pay will not be impacted by whether you finance or pay cash.  With new vehicles, sometimes there are incentives which apply to cash sales but not to financed sales, and vice versa.

I have looked at comparable vehicles at two dealerships, and both dealerships have appraised my trade.  Why are the numbers I have received for my trade so different?
The first thing is to make sure the two vehicles you are comparing are equivalent.  In new vehicles, even a premium paint color can make a difference in the starting price.  Then compare not how much you are being quoted for your trade but what is being presented as the trade difference.

For example, Dealership A may start the math with the MSRP (for example, $40,000) and then present you with a large number for your trade (for example, $15,000) leaving you with a trade difference of $25,000.  This is called over-allowing for a trade.

Dealership B may start the math with a discounted price (for example, a $40,000 MSRP and then subtracting a $2000 dealership discount) and then present you with a lower number for your trade (for example, $14,000) leaving you with a trade difference of $24,000.

In this example, Dealership B is theoretically allowing you less for your trade, but you would have a smaller amount to finance or to give out of your pocket in order to drive away in a new vehicle.

Do you have any remaining questions about the mysteries of a car dealership?  Please ask them in the comments.

Wireless Charging in Your 2015 GMC Yukon

Your 2015 GMC Yukon may be equipped to allow you to charge your smartphone wirelessly.  Watch this video for a demonstration of how to use the wireless charging feature. 

To read more about wireless charging and to find out if your vehicle is equipped with the capability, visit GM Total Connect

Virtual Visit to Our Dealership

Sure, we offer great vehicles to our customers.  But what else do we offer which helps set us apart from other dealerships?

Find out more about the additional services we provide.

Getting Ready to Shop the Lot?

Looking for your next vehicle can be a lot of fun, but it can also cause quite a bit of anxiety. Decrease the anxiety and hassles by doing some preparation when you begin your shopping process.


Think about what you need in your next vehicle.

1. Which best fits your needs: a car, a truck, or an SUV?
• Will you be using the vehicle for daily commutes?  Will you be using it to tow a boat or a camper? Is your family still growing?
2. Are there must-have features, such as bucket seats or a DVD player?

Research a few models in that vehicle class.

1. Talk with your friends who own something along the lines of what you have in mind. 
• Would they get the same vehicle again?
• If they could change one thing about the vehicle, what would it be?
• What do they love the most about the vehicle?
2. Check out vehicle reviews online and in Consumer Reports. 
3. Visit homepages for automakers, such as Buick, GMC, or Cadillac to see what models they carry and what trim levels or features are available.
4. Visit a dealership's website to get an idea of the new and used vehicles currently available. Of course we suggest you visit the website for Schwan Buick GMC Cadillac.

Consider your budget before you fall in love with a vehicle.

1. Will you be financing the vehicle or paying cash?
2. If you are considering a new vehicle, would leasing or buying be the better option for you?
3. Will you be able to put down a down payment?  A down payment can sometimes make it easier for you to secure financing or can lower the monthly payment.
4. What will you be doing with your current vehicle? Will you trade it in, or will you sell it yourself? There can be financial benefits or drawbacks to either option.
5. Remember the expenses in addition to the price of the vehicle. 
• Will your insurance costs change?
• Will your fuel costs change?
• Remember that sales tax and various fees will be added to the purchase price.

Be flexible.

1. Be open to new vehicles, used vehicles, or certified pre-owned vehicles. Sometimes a vehicle may be used but with very low miles and available at a price much lower than a new model.
2. The vehicles you like may be difficult to find in the colors you like or with the options you want.  Decide which factors are negotiable.  
3. Select three models you would like to test drive. If you have your heart set on one specific vehicle or model, you may end up back at the starting point if you realize during a test drive that you do not like the ride or seats.
4. If you run short of options, let the sales consultant suggest other vehicles which are similar. The dealership may be something similar but different than the three on your list.

Test drive vehicles.

1. While finding a vehicle which fits your finances and needs is important, it is just as important that the vehicle fits you and how you intend to use the vehicle.
• Sit in the various seats, including the far back. 
• Install your child's car set. Put a clean kennel in the back cargo area.
• Pull the vehicle into your garage, and back the vehicle out of your driveway. 
2. Write down the year, make, and model of each vehicle you drove, and record what you liked and did not like about the vehicle.  Also record which dealership had that specific vehicle, and write down the name of the sales consultant who helped you.

When in doubt, contact the internet manager or a sales consultant at a dealership, and ask them to suggest a few vehicles which fit what you need.  Let them know you are just starting your research and could use some general information to get you started.

In the Driver's Seat: Cadillac CTS

Have you ever wondered what a Cadillac CTS offers?  This video puts you in the driver's seat of a 2014 Cadillac CTS.  Watch a brief introduction to the features and technology inside a CTS.

In the Driver's Seat: 2015 Yukon XL Denali

Power folding seats, seven USB ports, dual DVD screens, heated and cooled front seats.....

Get in the driver's seat of a 2015 Yukon XL Denali and check out those features for yourself.

 

 

In the Driver's Seat: 2014 Buick Regal

From time to time, our internet manager Chandra will publish a video which puts you in the driver's seat of one of our vehicles.

Take a moment to watch this video of a certified pre-owned 2014 Buick Regal and let Chandra put you in the driver's seat.

Using the 4G LTE Hotspot in your 2015 GMC or Buick