American Car Center Official Blog
Why Choosing Used Is a Smart Choice
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Monday, September 21st, 2020 at 2:16 PM
Shopping for your next vehicle is exciting. While there are many important considerations – vehicle type, safety features, color – as part of your decision, the first is certainly choosing between a new or used vehicle. American Car Center believes that for most car shoppers, choosing previously owned is a smarter choice than buying new.
There are many benefits of choosing a used vehicle aside from the obviously lower sticker price. Previously owned cars and trucks are less expensive in several ways. A used vehicle will save you money when you buy auto insurance and likely reduce the total financing costs due to the vehicle’s lower price.
A used vehicle can more easily fit into a monthly budget. With a less costly used vehicle, monthly payments will be lower and because used vehicles are so much less expensive than new cars, you can drive a nicer vehicle than you might have otherwise been able to afford, giving you more choices.
When a new vehicle is driven away from the dealership, its value begins to drop. The greatest decline of vehicle value – depreciation – occurs in its first years. By choosing previously owned instead, you avoid that massive cost and receive a much more affordable vehicle that will now depreciate more slowly.
Also, because you are likely to have lower monthly costs and a slowly depreciating vehicle you are much less likely to be in a devastating negative equity situation, owing more on the vehicle than its worth, should your vehicle be stolen or declared a total loss after a collision.
Once a car has been on the road for two or three years, it will have developed a reliability record. Used vehicle rankings and reviews have information about total cost of ownership, so you can better identify reliable, low-maintenance models – those without a history of premature repair costs – and avoid the rest. Online owner forums are another source of information to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of any given model.
American Car Center is here to make your next vehicle selection smooth, simple, and fast. Across the Southeast, American Car Center has more than 65 convenient and modern locations all with a huge selection of fantastic late-model and low mileage used vehicles. Each vehicle comes with a limited powertrain warranty of up to 3 years or 36,000 miles and included oil changes. Save time and money – visit now to find a great car or truck to make your fall and winter driving safe and satisfying.
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Easy Ways to Improve Gas Mileage and Save Money, Too!
By digital | Posted in Maintenance on Monday, August 3rd, 2020 at 2:05 PMYour vehicle’s fuel economy depends on your driving style, and where and when you drive. These affect how many miles you can get from a gallon of gasoline. To get the most out of each fill-up, follow these simple suggestions from American Car Center for more money in your pocket and less time at the pump.
Be smooth. Trade dashes to the next stoplight, jackrabbit starts and sudden stops for modest acceleration, gentle braking, and steady cruising. Anticipate other road users and compensate for their behavior by creating space around your vehicle to avoid changing speed unnecessarily. Your brakes will last longer, too.
Go easy. At very low or very high speeds, your vehicle uses more fuel. Especially on the highway, going easy on the gas pedal and driving at moderate speeds is one of the best ways to reduce fuel consumption.
Treat your tires. Keep them inflated at the recommended pressure (refer to the label on the driver’s door opening). Too much or too little inflation results in unnecessary tire wear. Check tire pressure monthly.
Be kind to your car. For better gas mileage and fewer unexpected costs, keep your car in good condition (including the wheels aligned) and regularly service your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.
Go lightly. Reduce unnecessary weight and wind drag from your car to improve fuel economy. Periodically, remove unneeded heavy objects or seasonal items.
No idle. Running your vehicle when in park for long periods uses a lot of gas. When waiting more than a couple of minutes, turn off your vehicle’s engine and only re-start when you are ready to go.
Windows up. At higher speed, keeping windows up will add miles to your tank by improving vehicle aerodynamics.
Plan. Knowing your route and combining trips reduces back-tracking and gas use. If you can, avoid driving in severe weather. Heavy rain, mud, ice, crosswind, heat and cold, reduce traction and engine efficiency and increase gas consumption. In these conditions, to improve both safety and gas consumption, drive more slowly.
At American Car Center, our focus is saving you time and money, whether at the gas pump or finding a dependable late-model and low-mileage vehicle to get you to where you want to be. All our vehicles include up to a 3-year/36,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and oil changes, so come now to a convenient location near you.
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Have a Safe Summer Getaway!
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 at 2:23 PM
More than ever, now is the time for a safe summer getaway to enjoy the fresh air of the great outdoors and discover the timeless beauty of the peaks, valleys, nooks, and corners of the place we call home, the majestic Southeast. American Car Center has some ideas for fun and exploration.
The country’s largest cavern network is deep below the rugged hills of south-central Kentucky. Mammoth Cave National Park encompasses the most visitor-friendly part of the massive cave system. There are more than 400 miles of explored caverns here and Mammoth is known for vast caverns, some several stories high. Fans of hiking and climbing will love the rocky, forested landscape above the caverns which is great for exploring and camping.
On the Southeast Atlantic coast, between Charleston and Savannah, are five Georgia wildlife refuges; watery, thinly populated views of forest and marshland. The refuges are full of wildlife, especially migratory birds and waterfowl. Numerous campgrounds and affordable simple lodgings help to keep costs low. Public beaches are also plentiful.
The spine of the Appalachian Mountains runs along the Virginia-West Virginia border, protecting thousands of square miles of pristine, thinly populated forest land. The natural beauty is stunning and there are many places to explore. The area features the Monongahela, George Washington, and Jefferson National Forests, with Shenandoah National Park nearby. Convenient and affordable, these emerald gems are almost unbeatable for hiking and camping.
Near Gatlinburg, Mississippi, is one of the best-kept secrets of the Smokey Mountains. Nestled in the rolling hills, Place of a Thousand Drips is a waterfall named for the many rocks over which the water must cascade, seemingly leaving it forever dripping. Over an age, the water has carved several paths into the stone, creating the illusion of several small waterfalls. Visitors drive along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to find the site
The great beach towns of the Gulf Coast are popular with families in summer for their natural white sand beaches and casual charm. The adjoining towns of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama combine for 32 miles of dazzling beaches, water sports, and other outdoor activities and camping areas for a family stay. On the Florida side, Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of beach, ideal for long walks and people watching from the pier. In addition, hiking, biking, and kayaking are on hand.
If summer driving is more to your speed, you can cruise the Natchez Trace. The 444-mile parkway follows a historical route used by Native Americans and settlers from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. A great deal of the land along the Trace is protected, making for an idyllic drive through lush and rolling hills. If a staycation is what you want, be sure to take advantage of activities in regional parks. Those with a curious bent may want to consider walking tours of landmarks and sites in Southeast’s picturesque and history-filled cities. Richmond, Virginia, Savannah, Nashville, and Delray Beach, Florida, amongst others, are interesting and very walkable.
American Car Center hopes you make lasting memories of your getaway this summer. See us before you go! There is a location convenient to you, stocked with great late-model and low-mileage vehicles, with a limited warranty and oil changes for up to 3 years. We will quickly help you find a vehicle to take you to the place where you want to be.
The King of Credit wants to approve you today!
The King of Credit Is Twenty!
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Wednesday, June 17th, 2020 at 3:14 PMAmerican Car Center is celebrating 20 years of getting great people into great cars. From our first location in Memphis, Tennessee, American Car Center has expanded across the Southeast to establish more than 65 incredible locations throughout 10 amazing states – Alabama! Arkansas! Florida! Georgia! Kentucky! Mississippi! Missouri! North Carolina! South Carolina! Tennessee! – to serve you close to home at your convenience.
For twenty years the King of Credit has been on your side, and your job is STILL your credit. Our focus and passion remain to help great people, like you, get a great and reliable vehicle to go places and achieve their dreams. American Car Center deeply values your patronage – it has made our progress possible and inspired us to deliver ever more exceptional and innovative services to save you even more time and money!
American Car Center genuinely thanks you for your loyalty over the past twenty years. We are one of the nation’s leading used car dealer networks because of you!
Come see us now so that American Car Center can once again find for you that excellent late-model and low-mileage vehicle with a limited warranty & oil changes included for up to 3 years that you have come to expect at all our convenient locations.
The King of Credit wants to approve you today!
Great Spring Break Getaway Ideas from The King of Credit
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 at 3:20 PM
For millions of American kids, spring break is a cherished week-long ritual marking the end of winter and a chance to simply have some fun. A quick getaway during the break is a fantastic opportunity for families to spend a few days together, looking forward to sunny times ahead. Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly and kid-approved places to visit throughout the Southeast. Let’s get you thinking excitement or leisure, or both, with a few suggestions of a great spring break destination from American Car Center.
Orlando, home to Disney World and several more Disney parks, is the world’s top destination for families. Many hotels offer free shuttles to Disney attractions and Disney has its own resorts on-site to maximize your time sliding and riding the attractions. Nearby Universal Orlando also draws families and the young-at-heart from across the country.
The great beach towns of the Gulf Coast are popular with families come spring for their nature preserves, white sand beaches, and casual seafood restaurants. The adjoining towns of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama, are two such examples, boasting 32 miles of spectacular beaches, water sports, and other outdoor activities. There are plenty of inexpensive accommodations and camping areas for a family stay.
Every spring, Washington, D.C. explodes with blooming cherry blossom trees. The National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from mid-March to mid-April, in the middle of spring break for most families. The cherry blossom trees grow in three National Park Service locations. The Blossom Kite Festival and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade headline the festival. The nation’s capital is also a magnet for kids with a curious or historic bent. For them, a visit to a Smithsonian museum (there are 17!) and the Lincoln Memorial are a must.
Country music fans will want to visit Music City, a.k.a. Nashville, Tennessee, for concerts at Ryman Auditorium, a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a visit to Bluebird Café. Classic BBQ joints, like The Stillery, or Arnold’s Country Kitchen for mac & cheese, will satisfy even the fussiest eaters. For hands-on exploration, kids love the Nashville Zoo and Adventure Science Center.
America’s national parks offer families an amazingly affordable way to visit cherished and stunning landscapes, observe wildlife in natural habitat and simply unplug from daily life. Spring is shoulder season in most parks, so you’ll see fewer crowds. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests span 28 counties of northern Georgia with stunning landscapes, including, mountains, canyons, and cascading waterfalls. A hiker’s paradise, the parks offer many more family-centered activities, such as boating, fishing, biking and picnicking.
Possibilities for spring break adventure or relaxation are easy to find across the Southeast. Get that great family getaway vehicle now at American Car Center from our massive inventory of late-model and low-mileage cars and SUVs with an available warranty and oil changes for up to 3 years! With more than 65 locations, American Car Center is conveniently situated throughout the Southeast. The King of Credit wants to approve you today!
Tax Time Savings at American Car Center – Only $1 Down* with Your Tax Return
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Monday, January 27th, 2020 at 3:27 PM
Don’t wait on your tax refund when you can drive away in a great ride today from American Car Center!
We’ve made it so simple.
Come to one of our convenient locations with your tax return and you could qualify to put only $1 down on a vehicle from across our huge inventory of fantastic late-model and low-mileage cars and SUVs. That’s it. Let us take care of the details.
American Car Center has more than 65 locations across the Southeast so there is always one near you. Stop by today and shop thousands of quality pre-owned vehicles that include a limited powertrain warranty and oil changes for up to 3 years! At American Car Center, we match great vehicles to great people, regardless of credit history.
Save your time and money at American Car Center – just bring your tax return and you could be eligible for only a $1 down on a new ride because The King of Credit Wants to Approve you Today!
* This advertisement is for a LEASE. A sample lease as described in this advertisement for a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is $1 due at lease signing, with $2,000 cap cost reduction deferred until 3/1/20, and $483 per month for 49 months. This excludes taxes, sales tax and title fees. A security deposit is required. All lease payments, terms, and credit qualifications are subject to change without notice or obligation. Not all lessees will qualify. Additional lease terms and options may be available. Offer only available for a limited time. Call 1-877-720-4477 for details about costs and terms or to obtain a copy of this disclosure.
American Car Center Helps: Achieve Your New Year’s Resolution
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Friday, January 10th, 2020 at 3:47 PM
The New Year’s resolution is a promise we make to ourselves to improve our present self for a better future. Most of us make at least one resolution but most of these pledges end without success by the end of January. Instead of just hoping for the best, American Car Center wants to encourage your success with proven methods of achieving and adhering to our most common New Year’s resolutions.
Avoid dieting. Speak with your health care practitioner to create a healthy meal plan that, instead of depriving, nourishes you with healthful foods, such as, fruits, vegetables, and fish that you will enjoy, and keep you strong and fit, for the long run.
Exercising more
Exercise is one of the best habits for keeping healthy and improving quality of life. As you start, don’t push yourself to the limits of exhaustion every time. Consistency is better. Reward yourself immediately after the workout. Enjoyment of the reward, a piece of chocolate, for instance, wires the brain to associate exercise with that pleasure. Soon, endorphin hormones will be released at the thought of the exercise without the reward.
Saving money and spending less
Pay yourself first. Figure out how much of your monthly gross you can safely set aside and take it right off the top, like taxes. Also, pay down your credit card bill as quickly as possible, so the debt does not take from what you manage to save.
Learning a new skill or hobby
These result in long-lasting happiness, but it can be a challenge starting and moving away from passive activities like watching television. The key is to minimize the effort of getting into the flow. For example, if you want to play the guitar, have it by your side in the living room. If you want to learn a language, have a language app on your phone’s home screen.
Reading more
The easiest way to read more is to always have a book with you for those times you might otherwise be distracted by your phone, such as in waiting rooms, line-ups, or during breaks. Those small moments can add up to a lot of pages read.
Be sure to find pleasure in the process. For example, if the gym is not your cup of tea, try bike riding or basketball, instead. Set goals that are clear but achievable and establish small milestones to achieve as you go. Treat each as something of significance.
See the big picture: setbacks may come but do not regard them as failure. Fine-tune and keep going. Tune-out the critics and the naysayers, you are doing this for a healthier and happier you! Remember to support and encourage others in their own resolutions.
American Car Center wishes everyone a happy and healthy 2020, and for those dedicated to reaching their resolution: Keep at it! Tell American Car Center of your success stories.
Start the New Year with a new ride from American Car Center.
With more than 60 convenient locations across the Southeast and a vast selection of great late model cars and SUVs at each, we make it easy! Even better, all vehicles come with a limited powertrain warranty and oil changes for up to three years.
The King of Credit Wants to Approve You Today!
Terrific Gift Ideas your Wallet will Love
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Friday, December 13th, 2019 at 2:58 PM
During the giving season, presenting family and friends with thoughtful gifts they will appreciate and enjoy is gratifying but not always easy, especially on a budget. American Car Center has many fantastic gift ideas to bring joy to your loved ones and your wallet.
Let’s have a look:
Gloves, a hat or a scarf are much appreciated on chilly days and nights even in the Southeast.
In the kitchen, small appliances or tools, such as a miniature waffle maker, and other utensils are handy and reliable.
Home décor accessories, including, scented candles, engraved photo frames, and cushions are cozy and personal.
Gardening extras like small hand tools, pots and seeds are ideal for the expert or aspiring green thumb.
Gifts of time or expertise, from child-care to painting, are valued holiday winners.
Automotive items, such as a travel mug, road safety kit, and car washes are decidedly roadworthy.
Coffee table books, with topics ranging from nature to muscle cars, let the recipient discover and display their passion.
Streaming subscriptions to a music or video service for 1 to 3 months are practical and entertaining.
Baked goods and candies, especially homemade or nicely wrapped, are irresistible to the sweet tooth.
Small electronics or accessories include wireless headphones, power banks, and electric toothbrushes to put under the tree.
An invitation to a holiday meal or party might be the most cherished gift of all. Good conversation and laughter naturally put us all in a joyful state.
First and foremost, match your gift to what the recipient would truly want. Tailoring the presentation or wrapping makes it extra special!
Visit American Car Center right away to get the vehicle you deserve this holiday. American Car Center makes it simple and easy for you to drive off in the ride of your choice. Every store is conveniently located and has an amazing selection of late-model vehicles, all backed by an up to three-year/36,000-mile limited powertrain warranty with oil changes for up to 3 years!
The King of Credit Wants to Approve You Today!
The American Car Center Guide to Great Holiday Memories & Family Fun
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Friday, November 8th, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Do you want to make the most of the holidays and keep the fun simple and budget-friendly? You’re in the right place. Let’s talk about great activities for your family to enjoy and discover.
Have the kids produce their own play or pageant
Don’t sweat the script or costumes, just sit back and enjoy the creativity and enthusiasm. The production could be a one-time event, be replaced by a new one the next week or run for the entire season. Make relatives and neighbors welcome to join!
Designate a movie night
Modern or classic, animated or live-action, everyone has a favorite holiday-themed film. Let it be a perfect opportunity to turn off the lights, snuggle under blankets soft and warm, and unwind as the pictures and sounds float through the air.
Visit a Christmas tree farm
Start the holiday festivities off by bundling-up and heading to a local Christmas tree farm to find the ideal tree. Chances are, you’ll find so much more, as many farms offer hayrides and other family-fun activities – plus hot chocolate and baked goods.
Recall holidays past
Recruit grandma and grandpa to share stories and tell tales of how they experienced holidays when they were children, no doubt chopping firewood and walking in snow six-feet high. Whatever the embellishments, tots to teens will be engaged and enthralled and may share the experience with grandchildren of their own.
Get crafty
Whether it is creating a menu for the holiday feast, baking or decorating cookies or creating ornaments for the tree, a child’s imagination is a wonder to behold, requiring only sprinkles, pinecones, macaroni and construction paper – and more than enough glue.
Get active
Keep holiday restlessness at bay by taking the family for a skate (learning is easy: just push-and-glide), playing a game of touch football or touring the neighborhood to find the best and brightest light display.
Give back
The holidays are joyous and a great time to extend warmth and care to others. Children are especially skilled at making the holidays brighter by way of small gestures, such as, bringing cookies to an elderly neighbor, donating time for a local food or toy drive, or writing a note to an American service person stationed overseas.
Come to American Car Center right now – a location is conveniently nearby – to drive away in a late model vehicle that’s perfect for you this winter. All vehicles include a limited powertrain warranty and oil changes for up to three years or 36,000 miles! Our exceptional service will save you time and money. American Car Center wishes you and your family happy and cheerful festivities, for any of the holidays you may be celebrating this season. Remember to share your Instagram-worthy snaps with us.
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Let’s Celebrate the Great Tailgates
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Friday, October 4th, 2019 at 1:05 PM
There is no better reason to be a gridiron fan than to gather with family and friends, eat great food and whoop it up for your team in the tradition of the great American tailgate party – a longstanding festive pre-game carnival of football, food, and fun. Let’s see which teams have some of the most lively, unique and enthusiastic tailgate events across the Southeast.
The University of Mississippi hosts its fans not in a large parking lot but across 10 shady acres of oak trees, lavish tents, and catered food on its Oxford campus. From the original Tiger Walk to Toomer’s Corner and the Homeplate Tailgate, the gameday celebrations at Auburn University, in southeast Alabama, sprawl across the small city affectionately called the Loveliest Village on the Plains rich in football lore with rivalries dating to 1892. With so much intense focus on the team itself, the tailgate at Florida State University, in Tallahassee, is low-key but devout. The hottest spots are the booster lots outside Doak Campbell Stadium, especially when rivals from the Panhandle or Miami come to play.
Despite its location in Kentucky’s largest city, the tailgate at the University of Louisville has college-town charm, right down to the Cards March, lending inspiration to players as they face off against conference and state rival the University of Kentucky Wildcats in the annual Governor’s Cup game. The next installment takes place on Wildcat turf in Lexington this November. At Tuscaloosa, the University of Alabama tailgaters may drink a Yellowhammer, named for the state bird and enjoy a side of Southern barbeque while singing, “Yea, Alabama”. The University of South Carolina fans tailgate on a train, near its Columbia campus. The 22-car South Carolina Cockaboose has comfy interiors and rooftop bars.
Tailgating at the University of Arkansas, in Fayetteville, is a beloved tradition of the Razorback gameday experience centered at The Gardens, south of the stadium. There are also many surrounding green spaces fans to go Hog wild. Woo Pig Sooie! Tiger Lane is the hub of the University of Memphis tailgate and gateway to the Liberty Bowl. From Tom the Tiger to the Mighty Sound of the South marching band, Memphis football fans are well entertained. The sights of maroon and white and sounds of the cowbell highlight the unique and wonderful tailgate and football atmosphere at Mississippi State University in Starkville. Bulldogs fans congregate at the Junction, where even visiting fans are welcome or cheer on players during the Dawg Walk.
At the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville, sail-gating is the thing. On gameday, a fleet of 250 boats, called the Vol Navy, parade the Tennessee River and musters outside the stadium decked out in bright orange. South Carolina’s Clemson University has a pre-game tradition described as “the most exciting 25 seconds in football”: After its players walk from the parking lot, greeting fans, they finish the procession, called the Tiger Walk, assembled on a hill above the east endzone before charging into Memorial Stadium upon cannon fire. The University of Florida, in Jacksonville, hosts one of the most anticipated tailgates on the college football calendar when the rival University of Georgia comes calling. The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party gets its name because the revelers who keep the party going in the parking lot might outnumber the spectators who actually enter the stadium for kick-off.
This season share your tailgating snacks and recipes with us on Facebook and tell us about your own traditions and memories. Before you start the BBQ and the teams rumble from the tunnel, make the dash to American Car Center. Our more than 50 conveniently located stores have a huge collection of terrific cars and SUVs, each with a limited powertrain warranty and oil changes for up to 3 years or 36,000 miles. We’ll call the plays to have the best football fans in America easily drive away in a standout vehicle.
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