Franklin Sussex Auto Mall Blog

Camel Rides, Dangerous Snakes, Exotic Animals and a Free Bar-B-Que for everyone!

In just a few short weeks, Franklin Sussex Auto Mall will be hosting our third annual Safari Of Savings Sale. Like our previous Safari events, we’ll be featuring exotic animals from all over the world. Our showroom will be filled with animals and reptiles that you and your children can touch, pet and explore.

Our main event will be an incredible snake show put on by Urban Tarzan. He’ll be showing off various types of snakes including anacondas and articulated pythons, the most dangerous snake of them all!

Our local radio station, WSUS, will also be on hand with games and prizes for anyone who visits! Our grand prize for the day will be a Disney Dream Vacation! Check out some of the shots from previous Safari events …

The majority of the next episode of Around The Lot will highlight the Johnny Rizzo Golf Outing at High Point Country Club and will be taped on location during the event on June 18th in Montague. Franklin Sussex Automall is a major supporter of the Johnny Rizzo Memorial Foundation.

Franklin Sussex Automall is also rewarding the Montague Minor Cardinals Kittatinny Little League baseball team for their help in raising donations for the Johnny Rizzo Memorial Foundation by naming them Little League team of the day at the Sussex Skyhawks game on June 8th. The Cardinals performed a roadside cleanup in Montague on May 22nd. The money that the Cardinals earned from the town of Montague for the cleanup is being donated to the Johnny Rizzo Memorial Foundation. We’ll feature the Cardinals, their cleanup efforts and their visit to the Skyhawks game on the next episode of Around The Lot.

Check out our Around The Lot Website for a quick clip of the Cardinals after the cleanup in Montague!

As part of our ongoing series regarding Frequently Asked Lease-End Questions, we answer a question received by one of our customers whos lease wasn’t fully completed.

Question:
Can I purchase my vehicle now?

Answer:
Yes! However, we must caution you that the price you are going to pay may exceed the current market value of the vehicle itself. If you are taking out a loan to make this purchase, it could put you into a negative equity situation. If you stop by Franklin Sussex Auto Mall, we would be more than happy to provide you with a free appraisal to help get a better idea of your vehicle’s current market value.

However, this is only one of many options available to you at this time. We have many programs and options available to individuals in your situation. Chrysler often has a program called Pull Ahead that allows you to end your current lease early and jump into another brand new vehicle without penalties.

Overall, our experience has shown that the best time to complete the purchase option is within the last 30-days of your current lease terms.

For more information, you can contact Kevin Houghtaling @ 973-702-2546

As gas prices continue to rise, I am seeing more and more cartoonists creating images for local papers and the web that poke fun at something that is affecting us all!

However, don’t let these cartoons bother you! If you are in the market for a new vehicle, Franklin Sussex Auto Mall has a full line of vehicles that obtain incredible gas mileage. For example, the new Jeep Patriot with Chrysler’s World Engine is one of the most fuel efficient vehicles in Chrysler’s current lineup!

To see what we currently have in stock, take some time and browse our new vehicle inventory!

Franklin Sussex Auto Mall has done it! We have been recognized as a Chrysler Pacesetter Club Member as we sold more than 1,000 new vehicles in 2007!

From the Press Release by Chrysler:

Chrysler LLC awarded nearly 200 dealerships across the nation with the 2007 Chrysler-Jeep Pacesetters award and the 2007 Dodge Charger Club Award. The Pacesetter winners are Chrysler-Jeep and the Charger winners all are Dodge-brand dealerships. The dealers each were selected for selling a minimum of 1,000
retail units or more during the 2007 calendar year.

“For our Dealers, becoming a Pacesetter or Charger Club member says that you have ‘made it’ and are now recognized as one of the best in the country,” said Landry. “These elite memberships prove that you can sell a
lot of vehicles, have satisfied customers, and be profitable. The real winners are our customers because in every market we have dealers that exemplify outstanding sales leadership and customer satisfaction.”

However, none of this would have been possible without the support from our incredible customers and our local community! We thank all of you for an incredible 2007 and we look forward to making it an even better 2008!

In today’s world, there is a warranty for everything … including your vehicle. Because the warranty is an essential part of buying a new or used car, the small print and countless terms can often be overwhelming and frustrating. To make it a bit easier, I’ve outlined a couple of the universal regulations and basics you can look for before signing on the dotted line.

Emission Controls
This refers to the parts of the car relating to the exhaust and the amount of carbon emissions your vehicle puts into the air when you drive. With new cars, federal government standards regulate the warranty (think about the new standards Congress is pushing through). This means the regulations in every state must account for repairing emissions equipment. The rules in California are different, but that’s because they are stricter.

“As Is” Warranty
With this type of warranty, the dealer and manufacturer have no liability for repairs. The owner has no recourse if the car breaks down or other problems occur. If the dealer promises to fix the vehicle, the buyer must have that in writing before trying to enforce it under an “as is” warranty.

Representation Of Warranty
According to federal law, dealerships cannot say a vehicle has a warranty if it doesn’t. This law also states that the owner or dealer cannot misrepresent the vehicle’s condition or other facts about the vehicle. Laws legally and ethically require sellers to inform potential buyers of any known problems with vehicles.

Overall, the easiest way to avoid having to worry about all of this is to check out our extensive line of pre-owned vehicles at Franklin Sussex Auto Mall. Before any of these vehicles arrive on our lot, they go through a rigorous 125+ point inspection that checks everything from the brakes to the radio inside. If there is something that needs to be fixed or replaced, we’ll take care of it before you have to!

When the time comes to purchase a new vehicle, there are many individuals that already know everything there is regarding the sales and purchase process. However, for those who may not know everything there is, we’ve put together a few quick tips on how to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible!

Research Your Target Vehicle
This seems like a no-brainer … but it is the most important part. Whether you are searching for a new car or a pre-owned vehicle, make sure you take some time to fully research the options, mileage rating, features and reviews. If you are in the market for a new car, be sure to give a call to Franklin Sussex Auto Mall for current specials and dealer incentives.

Browse Dealership Inventory
Once you’ve identified the vehicle that you want, check out our inventory to see what we currently have in stock. With over 700+ new vehicles and 250+ used vehicles in stock, we will probably have the vehicle you are looking for. Even if we don’t, be sure to contact us as we can always locate one for you and bring it to our lot for your convienence.

Prep Your Trade-In
The littlest details are often overlooked, but do make the difference. Before coming down to the dealership, take the time to make sure your vehicle looks good. Change the oil, empty out personal items from the car and give it a bath. While a full detail job isn’t necessary, making it appear as close to immaculate as possible is definitely preferred.

Have Fun!
With the past reputation of some car dealers, that might not sound possible. However, at Franklin Sussex Auto Mall we strive to provide a professional and personal experience to each one of our customers. Our sales, service, parts and finance staff are always pleasurable to deal with and will go above and beyond to make your experience at the dealership enjoyable.

After The Deal
Once the deal is complete and you have driven off in your new or pre-owned vehicle, there are just a few more things to think about. Make sure that all of your paperwork has been filed together and is in a safe place. Set any important dates on your calendar - payments due, schedule maintenance, end of warranty, etc.

Above all else, make sure you let us know about your experience at the dealership. Write us a letter, send us an email or give us a call and tell us how you feel. We are always looking for ways to improve what we do!

Another great testimonial from another satisfied customer at Franklin Sussex Auto Mall …

I want to thank you and your staff again for allowing me the luxury of not having to worry about being uninformed about what goes on with a car as I am so challenged with this kind of stuff.  I am extremely fortunate to know I can count on you to do the right thing and I am very grateful.

Even though I sometimes feel like I have to be WonderWoman, I realize my limitations and car mechanics and why it does what it does is not my strong point.

Sincerely,
Mary Ann Monteaperto

Like most dealers, I like to keep up on news and postings put out by the manufacturer so I know what is happening or what I can expect further down the road. This morning, I came across a blog post by Chrysler about a Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab and an 18-wheeler that was stuck in the snow.

Here are a few lines from the post …

Greg Strychar works the third shift at Warren (Mich.) Stamping as a Millwright. As he exited the freeway yesterday on his way home from work, he spotted an 18-wheeler stuck in the snow beside the local Home Depot.

There was a Ford F150 hooked up to it, trying to help, but unable to budge the huge truck. Strychar, who drives a 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab 3500 Laramie with a Cummins Turbo Diesel 6-speed, pulled up and offered assistance. In order to hook up to the truck, Strychar had to get his truck into the snow as well.

After hooking up his truck, he gave it a tug. It didn’t take long before his Ram and the 18-wheeler were back on dry pavement. According to Strychar, “it just goes to prove that Dodge is the superior product on the market today. The drivetrain on my truck is stock. I’ve only upgraded the tires to the BFG A/T 315/70r17.”

Strychar, who said he has been helped by good samaritans in the past and was happy to return the favor, said the driver of the 18-wheeler was very thankful that he and his Dodge Ram happened by to save the day. Oh, and after Strychar purchased his Ram Mega Cab, two of his neighbors went out and bought Dodge Ram Mega Cab vehichles of their very own.

This type of information just goes to show how powerful our Dodge Ram trucks really are. If it could easily pull a loaded semi out of the snow, imagine what else it could tow for you (boats, cars, etc). Franklin Sussex Auto Mall has one of the largest Dodge Truck inventories around with a great selection of models to choose from, including the Ram 3500 Mega Cab featured in this story!

Last September, we held our first ever Midnight Madness Sale and it was so successful that we decided to do it again! Tomorrow, Franklin Sussex Auto Mall will be open from 9AM until Midnight to provide you with 15-hours of incredible deals on New Vehicles and Pre-Owned Cars alike!

Don’t forget that you can also win a brand new 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser just by stopping in and registering with our welcome center. All entries will be collected and we’ll be holding the drawing on March 29th!

And if you purchase a car, you will also have the chance to shoot a basket for $1000 in cash and other great prizes including credits, TVs, DVDs & more!

So stop down, register to win the PT Cruiser and check out some of the great deals we will have during our second Midnight Madness Sale! For more information or directions to the dealership, give us a call toll free at 888-473-9070