Monthly Archives: December 2023

5 Ways to Keep Your Car Smelling Fresh in the New Year

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Posted in Listicles

We’re getting set to flip the calendar on another year, meaning your vehicle officially becomes one model year older. But even if a new vehicle isn’t in your 2024 plans, you can still get your current car smelling brand-new.

Courtesy of Charge-a-Car, here are five strategies to avoid complacency and keep your car smelling fresh year-round.

Clean the Upholstery

Let’s start with the essentials. Dirt, debris, and pet hair accumulate quickly within your car’s interior, and without constant upkeep, you could find yourself wondering how you let things go. Vacuuming regularly not only eliminates unwanted material, but it also reduces odors that get trapped in the upholstery. You should utilize the vacuums at the car wash whenever you take your car to be washed (which you should do bi-monthly), but it also might help to keep a hand vacuum in the car for more regular maintenance.

As we gear up for New Year’s resolutions, let’s also make 2024 the year we ditch smoking in the car. Besides being an unhealthy habit, the smoke leaves behind a permanent, ashy smell and could potentially damage the car’s upholstery. Let’s kick this bad habit in the butt and ensure fresh air for our rides!

Don’t Let Garbage Linger

Many drivers don’t bother having a waste bin in their car – for them, the car itself becomes a dumping ground. It’s important to treat your car’s interior just like any room in your house. Make it a habit to promptly dispose of any trash you generate.

Consider purchasing a car trash can if your vehicle is spacious enough to allow it. Most of them are available for under twenty dollars. Stick it in a safe spot next to your seat and properly dispose of snack wrappers, ATM receipts and beverage containers rather than letting them join the collection amassing on your floor mats. (Also make sure you shake out those mats every week or so.)

Leave Baking Soda Out Overnight

Baking soda: the secret ingredient of the cleaning world. If you’re dealing with persistent or overpowering odors in your car, here’s a simple trick: just sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on your mats and carpets. Allow it to sit overnight, and then vacuum up the remaining residue the next morning. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the fresh scent left behind after the baking soda has absorbed many of the unwanted odors in your vehicle.

When you’re pressed for time and can’t pinpoint the source of an odor, baking soda comes to the rescue. No need to rush to the detailer. Simply leave an open box of baking soda in your driver’s door pocket for a few days if the smell lingers.

Use an Air Freshener

They may be passé, but there’s a reason you still see air fresheners dangling from rearview mirrors: they consistently do the job. It’s important to choose an air freshener that neutralizes odors instead of simply masking them. With a wide range of top-notch products available, there’s little sense in finding a temporary fix for a problem that can be actively resolved.

You can also invest in an oil diffuser. In addition to masking unwanted odors and replacing them with a rich fragrance, essential oils have been known to reduce stress and keep you alert while you drive.

Know the Difference Between Cleaning and Detailing

When you detail your car, you give it a complete makeover, focusing on deep cleaning and restoring the interior. Forget about regular surface cleaning and quick vacuuming; detailing goes beyond that, paying attention to the smallest details. It’s about giving neglected areas, like air vents and spaces between seats, the care they need.

Car detailing involves a thorough cleaning that demands hours of your time and a variety of cleaning materials. You can even go the extra mile by shampooing the upholstery and applying a protective coat of wax. Keep in mind that each additional step you take not only eliminates odors but also restores your car with a fresh, like-new appearance.

So Fresh and So Clean

Head into the new year with your car smelling factory new by implementing these strategies. And when you are prepared to change vehicles, our inventory at Charge-A-Car is guaranteed to have what you’re looking for. Buy and finance your car at the same convenient location today! Schedule your test drive at Charge-A-Car and drive into the new year with a clean slate.

The 10 Best SUVs to Buy for Under $20K

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Posted in Listicles

In the market for an SUV but not in the mood to break the bank? Join the millions of others looking to avoid big spending this holiday season. Prices have risen seemingly everywhere, and the auto market is no exception. The average price of a new car has risen to upwards of $48,000 – and SUVs are often at the upper echelon of the price spectrum. 

Luckily, the used car market has started to level off, and several high-quality, recent models have rejoined the ranks of affordability. Here are ten of the best used SUVs available, each with a confirmed minimum average price of less than $20,000.

2017 Ford Escape 

The 2017 model of the Escape went through a thorough cosmetic update and gained an optical 245-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It took home numerous top awards as a result and can be yours today for a beyond reasonable price. Best of all, its vaunted, top-of-the-line Titanium trim should now be out there in the world for under the $20K mark. 

2017 Kia Niro 

The Niro was introduced in 2017 as a swift and efficient hybrid hatchback, with fuel economy ratings of 52 city/ 49 highway. But the Niro stood out as a more affordable option than the Prius and outdid Toyota’s hybrid in many ways. For instance, the car’s tight steering and maneuverability make it ideal for tight parking spaces and city driving. But it all comes back to efficiency, and six years later, little has changed on that count. 

2018 Jeep Renegade 

The perfect choice on this list for the off-road adventurer, the Renegade’s boxy frame highlights its excellent headroom and overall solid build. Consider it a more affordable alternative to its big brother the Cherokee. If able, seek out the Limited trim – a top choice for regular features – and the off-road enhancing Trailhawk trim. 

2018 Chevrolet Equinox 

The Equinox’s third generation began in the 2018 model year, offering three available engines and a choice between front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The Equinox is a great choice for young families, as it earned fantastic reliability and safety scores. It’s deceptively spacious, the interior is soft and comfortable, and this 2018 model handles quite gracefully. 

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe 

Like the Equinox, the Santa Fe features a level of spaciousness you wouldn’t expect from the outside. It sports an abundance of passenger room and cargo space in equal measure. The second-row seats can be folded from the tailgate area. It may not blow you away with innovation, but with its high safety scores, driver assist, and active safety features, the 2019 Santa Fe is fueled by practicality. 

2019 Subaru Forester 

The Forrester won’t blow you away with performance and speed, but what it lacks in flare it more than makes up for in all-around capability. It’s powered by a four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower, has a technically modern and comfortable interior, and generally lacks downsides. Though the more popular Limited and Touring trims still fall out of our price range, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2019 Forester when it comes to checking every box. 

2019 Buick Encore 

Although not technically a luxury brand, Buick’s vehicles often feel cut from the same cloth. The Encore is no exception, with a flashy exterior and an interior that guarantees a smooth, comfortable, and quiet ride every time you hit the road. A range of popular, unique trims include the luxury-enhancing Essance and upgraded Sport Touring. You’ll be hard pressed to find a subcompact this fleet-of-foot at such a price point. 

2019 Hyundai Kona 

Ah, the quirky subcompact of the group. Although it lacks the cargo space of more traditional SUVs, the Kona rocks a funky design and is as much fun to drive as it is to gawk at. The 2019 model added crucial standard features such as automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention monitor. Overall, the Kona feels more expensive than it actually is. 

2020 Kia Sportage 

Style points abound for this sharply designed compact SUV. Though it may not perform to the level of some of its competitors, the interior gets the job done. Perhaps most importantly, no one would be able to guess you were able to purchase this nearly new crossover for under $20K. 

2014 Lexus RX 

The RX’s value has largely held thanks to Toyota’s corporate reliability – and also because the RX offers a superior amount of luxury with a low risk of costly repair bills. You’ll probably have to go back nearly a decade, and some of the features and tech will be dated. That said, to be able to purchase an SUV of this quality at this price point speaks for itself. 

Get On the Road in No Time 

These are some great deals, and you won’t find a better dealer to hook you up than here at Charge-A-Car. Make car buying easy again; choose your car, get financed, and drive it off the lot! Schedule a test drive today and go off into the night with your heart light and your wallet full. 

The Advantages of Buy Here, Pay Here Dealerships

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Posted in Charge-A-Car Tips

When car buying, there are more options available to you today than ever before, from manufacturers and models to payment plans. Unfortunately, transactions at traditional dealerships can be complicated by several cumbersome factors – especially with the economic uncertainty that surrounds everything today. Thankfully, there’s help to be found. 

Buy Here, Pay Here dealerships include several inherent advantages. They don’t traditionally involve credit checks on loans, instead using income verification as part of the sale. This makes them ideal for people with average, bad, or no credit and people who recently filed for bankruptcy. If you’ve recently become financially independent and don’t have much in the way of a credit history, Buy Here, Pay Here may also be the route for you. 

Read on to find out why you might benefit from making your next auto purchase at Charge-A-Car! 

Credit Where It’s Due 

Traditional car transactions require a credit check in one form or another. It’s a proposition that has gotten increasingly complex thanks to our precarious economy. Unfortunately, it can take some people years or even decades to claw themselves out of an unfavorable credit history. 

We believe that no person is solely defined by their past, and that everyone has a right to the road. Whether you’ve got negative credit or have recently filed for bankruptcy, Charge-A-Car can put you behind the wheel today without having to drudge up your credit history and enter a lengthy loan process. 

Start Me Up 

Perhaps you’re just starting out, looking to establish your financial identity anew or for the first time. If so, chances are you don’t have much of a credit history to speak of. It can be intimidating to wade into the waters of car ownership regardless, but Charge-A-Car is the perfect entry point: a reasonable dealership that you can trust. 

We’re confident when we say we offer the best Buy Here, Pay Here plan in Missouri. We put a warranty on every vehicle we sell, a system we stand behind. Here at Charge-A-Car, the customer truly does come first, and that’s the mantra we’ve proudly staked our reputation to here in Aurora. 

The Trade Deadline Has Not Passed 

Think your car is too old for a trade-in? It may be time to think again. Buy Here, Pay Here dealerships are generally more flexible than traditional dealerships when it comes to the status of older vehicles. Remember, Buy Here, Pay Here is all about keeping your options open. So even if you’re doubting the condition of your old car, bring it by and explore those options! 

For more information on valuing your trade, simply follow this link.

Quick and Easy 

Make your car buying experience simpler than ever with a dealership where you can buy your car and get financed at the same time. Stop by Charge-A-Car today, and we’ll have you behind the wheel of your new ride in no time.

By applying now, you can get pre-approval for financing on your next vehicle! Schedule a test drive and discover the road to car ownership is more wide-open than you could’ve envisioned.