Gay Family Kia - 4 Options for Getting Rid of Your Older Car

July 12, 2018 · 3 min read

When it's time for a new car or truck, you'll most likely need to get rid of your old one. There are plenty of ways to say goodbye to your former car, from trading it in to donating it to a worthy cause. Here are four options for getting rid of a car at the end of its usable life.

Sell to a Used Car Dealer

When selling to a used car dealer, you can usually walk out with a check the same day. If you're in a hurry to sell or don't have time to go through the process of selling yourself, contacting a used car dealer may be a good option. The trade-off is that you'll make less from the sale of your car than with other methods.

Trade-in at a Dealership

Often, when a car reaches the end of its usable life, the driver is in the market for a new car at the same time. Almost all dealerships offer a trade-in option. While negotiating the price of a new or new-to-you car, the trade-in value can be figured into the purchasing package. If you switch cars regularly, this can be a good option. However, if your vehicle is more than 10 years old, it will probably end up being sold at auction. When this happens, you can expect that the value you'll receive in trade will be fairly low. Trade-in is a highly convenient option since you don't have to go through the steps of selling the car yourself.

Donate to Charity

A number of nonprofit organizations accept vehicle donations. Once the charity sells the car, you can use part of that value as a charitable contribution. This can save you some money at tax time. The big advantage of donating is that the organization will handle car pick up. Before selecting a charity, make sure they're registered and tax-exempt. Be prepared for some paperwork and time making sure everything is in order. Sites like Car Donation Wizard can help you navigate vehicle donations, including selecting an appropriate charity.

Sell It Yourself

From a simple "for sale" sign in the window to nationwide sites, there's an almost infinite number of ways to privately sell your vehicle. When you sell the car yourself, you're likely to get the most for your vehicle, but you'll also do the most work. You'll want to make sure that the car is clean and that any minor repairs have been completed. After that, you'll have to list the vehicle. For a simple start, try the classifieds in your local paper and the area craigslist. Finally, and most importantly, be careful with private sales. Always stay on high alert for potential scams. That old vehicle has treated you well. When it's time to let it go, you'll need to make a choice between convenience and getting the best possible value. Choose based on your budget and how much time you have to commit to selling your car. Image via Flickr by Robert Couse-Baker, used under CC BY 2.0

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Aug 26, 2018 in Dickinson Used Cars

Which Kia SUV Fits Your Lifestyle?

As gas prices continue to fall and consumers require more versatility, the SUV has become the most popular vehicle across America, causing stiff competition between automakers. That said, Kia has the most diverse array of SUV offerings, giving you the perfect fit for your needs or lifestyle. If you're looking for a new SUV, here are Kia's four fantastic options. Sportage Combining the nimble handling of a sedan with the flexibility of an SUV, the 2019 Kia Sportage is an excellent choice for singles or burgeoning families. This small SUV offers seating for up to five passengers, while still providing up to 30.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat. Need more space? Fold the rear seats down to unveil a whopping 60.1 cubic feet of room. Under the hood, the Sportage boasts a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that's good for 181 horsepower, 181 pound-feet of torque, and 26 mpg combined. If that doesn't scratch you where you itch, the SX Turbo trim kicks out 240 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque for a pure driving experience. Choose from front-wheel drive or, if you're feeling adventurous, opt for the all-wheel drive. more Sorento As the largest SUV in the Kia lineup, the 2019 Sorento is ideal for large families, adventurers, do-it-yourself enthusiasts, or those that put a premium on versatility. For the first time in its existence, the Sorento offers third-row seating across all six trims, providing seating for up to seven passengers with 11.3 cubic feet of room behind the rear seat. If you need more space, fold down the third row for 38 cubic feet of room, or fold down both rows for a massive 73 cubic feet of room. While the 2.4-liter inline-four is enough for some drivers, performance gurus will love the 3.3-liter V-6. Packed with 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque, this engine makes the Sorento the most powerful SUV in the fleet, ready to tackle anything that's thrown in its path. Soul If you've ever been described as quirky or whimsical, the 2019 Kia Soul is your vehicular soulmate. This boxy, fun, and stylish compact crossover has a wonderful design that makes it stand out from the competition, while still offering the amenities you crave. Inside, the Soul boasts a 5-inch, 7-inch, or 8-inch touch-screen display with an infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, cruise control, and an available driver-assist safety system. Three engines provide between 130 and 201 horsepower, offering either maximum efficiency of up to 31 mpg or some serious giddy-up. Perfect for the young or the young at heart, the Soul is in a category all its own. Niro The most recent addition to the Kia lineup, the 2018 Niro is also the first hybrid SUV from the Korean automaker. Choose from either a standard hybrid setup or a plug-in hybrid for some of the best fuel efficiency available. The standard Niro gets up to 52 mpg, while the plug-in option provides a range of up to 26 miles on a single charge. Throw in seating for five, loads of entertainment options, and plenty of comfort, and the Niro helps you save the world without skimping on the extras. From fuel-efficient options to go-anywhere workhorses, the Kia SUV lineup is sure to earn your approval. https://www.flickr.com/photos/juanelo242a/38735307170/sizes/l Image via Flickr by RL GNZLZ

Aug 19, 2018 in Dickinson Used Cars

See a Different Side of Houston On One of These Tours

As the fourth-largest city in the United States, Houston is one of the most exciting places in the country, and there's always something going on. Whether you're visiting or you're a resident of H-Town, you can find another side to the city by scheduling a tour with one of the many tour companies. From sightseeing to food, you'll find your new favorite Houston hot spot along the way. Hop-On Houston City Tour If you've never had the chance to hop on a double-decker bus, you won't even need to go to London to do it. Instead, buy a ticket to the Hop-On Houston City Tour. Aboard this two-story bus, you can enjoy all Houston has to offer while riding on the lower level or the open-air top floor of the bus. Choose from either a 24-hour or 48-hour pass to explore the city with a tour guide who offers historical facts, interesting tidbits, and engrossing stories about landmarks, parks, and buildings. The bus offers six convenient stops throughout the city, allowing you to hop off and hop back on at your own convenience. If you love tours that still allow flexibility and exploring at your own pace, Hop-On Houston City Tour is the perfect fit. more Nightly Spirits Houston Haunted Pub Tour If you drew a Venn diagram of your two favorite things and they just happen to be overlapping circles of beer and ghosts, Nightly Spirits Houston Haunted Pub Tour is a match made for you. This tour takes a step back into the mid-to-late 1800s, when Houston started to flourish as a city and urban legends and ghost stories began to emerge. During this three-hour, adults-only tour, you're taken by a tour guide to some of Houston's most famous haunted buildings, as well as a few haunted bars for a cocktail and a ghost story. Even if you don't see a ghoul, one thing is sure: you're certain to see some spirits. Taste of Houston Food Tours Known as the Culinary Capital of the South, H-Town has a diverse food scene that pulls influences from around the globe. The result is a city full of eclectic restaurants serving up classic Tex-Mex, fusion, and other dishes you just won't find anywhere else. Rather than relying on Yelp or a travel guide to find these places, let Taste of Houston Food Tours do the work. These tours take you around to some of the most popular local spots in the city, offering tastes of the finest food and drink. Their guides will also take you to places of cultural or historical significance, tying them back into the cuisine that you're enjoying. Take your food tour to the next level with optional add-ons such as a cooking class, culinary scavenger hunt, or a team cooking competition. With these tours, you'll go in as a cook and emerge as an executive chef. While some explorers enjoy zero planning and freedom to explore, these tours offer a middle ground where you can learn something about the city without being bogged down to a long-term itinerary. Plus, you just might find you like tours more than you think. https://www.flickr.com/photos/76771463@N02/8311996895/sizes/l Image via Flickr by Katie Haugland Bowen

Aug 05, 2018 in Dickinson Used Cars

Make a Statement in The Funky Soul EV

Stylish, provocative, and loaded with features, the 2018 Kia Soul EV is the funkiest electric car to ever grace American roads. If you were a fan of the gasoline-powered version of the Soul, but you've made a vow to reduce your carbon footprint, the Soul EV adds a purely electric powertrain that still provides the utility and versatility of the original. For those new to the electric vehicle market, the Soul EV is an awesome choice that makes the ultimate statement. Funky Styling Since the Kia Soul debuted in 2009, it's remained one of the most interesting vehicles on the road thanks primarily to its unconventional style, This unusual design tradition continues with the all-new Soul EV. Its boxy yet sporty design provides a look unlike any other, while 16-inch alloy wheels and fog lights add depth and allure. Both of the Soul EV's trims also offer privacy glass, power heated side mirrors, and LED lighting to round out the eye-catching exterior of the vehicle. more The Powertrain Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Kia Soul EV is its 100 percent electric powertrain system. The heart and soul of this system is a 30-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor that delivers 109 horsepower and up to 210 pound-feet of torque. This gives it more oomph than most of its gas-powered competitors, including a 0-60 of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 92 mph. Charging and Range The 2018 edition of the Soul EV improves its range from 91 miles on a single charge to 111 miles this year. With this 20 mile increase, the Soul EV reaches the top of the electric vehicle market while still offering the versatility and space of a compact SUV. To charge the Soul EV, you have three options, but most importantly, all Soul EVs now come with a standard DC Fast Charger. This allows you to charge the vehicle from dead to 80 percent battery in just 30 minutes, which is ideal if you forget to plug it in overnight, or you need a quick charge when you're home for lunch. With the regular 120-volt charger that comes with the car, you'll still get the fast charge, but to get the battery up to 100 percent, it takes 24 hours. For quicker charging, a 240-volt adapter can reduce the time to about four hours, while 480-volt chargers found in public charge stations can have the Soul EV running at full blast in 30 to 50 minutes. Interior Extras Despite its reputation as an energy saver, the Soul EV doesn't skimp where it counts, offering more standard features than many of its competitors. This includes amenities such as an 8-inch touch-screen display, UVO infotainment system, a rear-camera display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, and a six-speaker sound system. Add all that up, and the Soul EV borders on being a luxury car. With several automakers blazing new trails into the electric car market, Kia proves that it's a serious player with the 2018 Kia Soul EV. Make sure to get on board before the secret gets out. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jayuny/36666710965/sizes/l Image via Flickr by JayUny