What to Look For When Buying a New Car

BAY CITY, Mich. – Purchasing a new vehicle is a big decision to make, especially when it's what will get you from Point A to Point B. When you are ready to purchase, you'll be able to shop around and look at different makes, models, and specifications to fit your needs, while also finding something that fits within your budget and meets your personal preferences. It's a very exciting time in your life, which is why you'll want to make sure you make the right vehicle purchase. If you're wondering what to look for when you're buying a new car, Graff Bay City has compiled a list of factors for you to consider. On the hunt for a specific vehicle style? We carry an extensive inventory of vehicles that'll meet all of your expectations, from sporty driving to family-friendly SUVs.

1. Consider Your Budget

The first thing you'll want to take into consideration is your budget. Knowing how much you are willing to spend on a vehicle is essential in helping you narrow down your choices to find something that'll best suit your needs. Usually, the rule is that your car payments should equal up to 20% of your take-home income. Since down payments for vehicles can be quite expensive, there are a lot of options available to vehicle buyers. If you're interested in applying for an auto loan for financing, fill out a credit approval form and our auto-loan experts will help you find a plan that best fits your budget!

2. Buying vs. Leasing

Once you have your budget in mind, you'll want to consider the options of either buying a vehicle or leasing one. Buying a car can provide you with a long-term investment which will return on itself, however, it can be extremely costly initially, with large down payments and long-term payment plans. Leasing may seem like a much more affordable option, but it can also become expensive if you go over your mileage limit or have to finance any repairs. Read about the pros and cons of each on our buying vs. leasing page!

3. Write Out Your Needs

You have your budget and you've made a choice between buying a vehicle or leasing a vehicle. Now what? Figuring out what you and your passengers need is the next step. Write out everything you want and need in a vehicle. Think about what you need now and what you'll need in the future. Do you want something spacious with a lot of room? What about a flashy, sleek vehicle with a lot of customization? Safety features? How many seats do you want in your vehicle? Keep all of your needs and preferences in mind when you go in to purchase a vehicle, as they will factor into your budget and final purchase decision.

4. Pick Your Vehicle Out

Now that you've gotten all of that figured out, it's time to visit the dealership to find your perfect match. If you prefer searching at home, take a look at our inventory to see the many options available to you! You can edit your search to specify what you're looking for, whether it's a spacious SUV or a fast and powerful 2-seater! If you're curious about a specific vehicle, you can also read their brochures for more information on the specifications and what they have to offer! In just a few short steps, you'll be able to take your new vehicle out for a drive!

5. Give it a Test Drive

Finding the right vehicle may be the hard part, but once you do, it's smooth sailing from there! First, you'll need to contact us to set up a test drive appointment. This is your chance to find out whether or not the vehicle you've been researching is the one for you! Refer to your needs you wrote out earlier to find out if the car matches your specifications. Try driving it based on your commute: if you drive on highways, see how it handles the high speeds; if you live on a dirt road, consider taking it off-road to see how it will manage! Check the trunk for its spacing, the exterior for any damage, and seats for comfortability. These steps are all a necessary part of making sure that you are happy with your purchase! If you have any questions or concerns, our Sales Staff will be glad to address them!

While purchasing your vehicle can be very fun and exciting, it can also be very time-consuming. Keeping your budget and personal preferences in mind all play a huge role in this decision. We hope that this list of what to look for when you buying a new car helps you to narrow down your choices to find the vehicle that's just right for you! Feel free to reach out to us with any concerns you may have. We're happy to help match you up with your dream car!

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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Test Drive Your Dream Chevy and Enter to Win $1,000 at Graff Bay City

BAY CITY, Mich. –– Graff is turning 102 years old! To celebrate this amazing achievement, you can test drive your dream Chevy and enter to win $1,000 at Graff Bay City. Through the end of August when you visit our Graff Bay City dealership and test-drive a new vehicle, you can enter your name in our drawing! As part of our 102nd Anniversary Blowout you can also drive away with great vehicle deals on used Chevrolet Malibus, new 2016 Chevrolet Silverados, and new 2016 Chevrolet Equinoxs. Stop by our dealership and test drive the Chevrolet vehicle you really want today!

In celebration of and beyond our 102nd Anniversary, we want to continue supporting our wonderful Bay County community in as many ways as we can. Through the month of August you can help us meet our goal and Stuff 2 Trucks with school supplies to benefit our local students! We'll be accepting back-to-school supplies at our dealership on Wilder Road and at GM Powertrain all month.

Entering to win $1,000 is easy to do! Visit Graff Bay City from now until August 31st and test-drive a new vehicle from our lot. Then our expert sales staff will help you enter your name for a chance to win the $1,000 prize! You must test drive a new vehicle for a chance to enter in the drawing. There will only be one winner, so hurry in before August 31st and celebrate our 102nd Anniversary Blowout.

As part of our 102 Anniversary Blowout you can get great Graff deals on used 2009 - 2016 Chevrolet Malibus starting as low at $7,902. With up to 15 different models and years to choose from, you are bound to find the perfect Chevy Malibu for you! You can also drive away in a new 2016 Chevrolet Silverado Double Cab or 2016 Equinox for as little as $102 per month! Our lot is stocked with over 75 Silverado trucks to choose from, so start shopping today. Stop in to Graff Bay City for great deals like these and for a chance to $1,000 all during our August 102nd Anniversary Blowout!

We are saying thank you for a wonderful 102 years of Graff service with a chance for you to test drive your dream Chevy and enter to win $1,000 at Graff Bay City! Join us for our 102nd Anniversary Blowout drawing during the month of August and test drive a new Chevrolet vehicle! Get amazing deals on used Chevrolet Malibus, or new 2016 Chevrolet Silverados. You can start shopping with our online inventory today. If you have more questions about the 102nd Anniversary drawing, contact the Graff Bay City dealership.

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we can help you find the perfect vehicle for your weekend getaway! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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The Importance of a Test Drive

BAY CITY, Mich.- Purchasing a new vehicle is a huge decision, and this decision making process is not short. It shouldn't be, you're making a huge investment. However, we hope you didn't make the mistake of NOT taking a test drive, because taking a test drive is one of the most useful tools you posses in the decision making process. Today, we want to help you understand The Importance of a Test Drive.

Let's get one thing out of the way, just because you test drive a vehicle, does not mean that you have to buy it. For some, they feel test driving a vehicle is like making a commitment, when in fact, you're just getting to know the vehicle better, you might even hate it! But, you should never buy a car without test driving it first. You will learn so much about a vehicle by getting behind the wheel, and you should love everything about it before you make the investment.

Secondly, don't make the mistake of assuming you will like all the vehicle has to offer since it is "new". Again, you might actually hate some of the features, but you will never know unless you utilize your most important decision making tool, the test drive. All vehicles drive differently, for example, the 2013 Chevy Equinox drives differently than the 2013 Chevy Avalanche, so it's important to get a feel for how a car drives.

Lastly, try not to get stuck in the mindset that "There's no point in driving it if the numbers aren't exactly right." First of all, you might decide the vehicle isn't right for you anyways. And assuming, you aren't looking way out of your price range, our job is to help you find a car that you love at a price you can afford, so we're here to help!

Hank Graff Chevrolet wants to stress The Importance of a Test Drive when you are thinking about purchasing a new car. It is your most important decision making tool since it is the only way for you to actually experience the vehicle and decide if it is the one for you. To start the search for your dream vehicle check out our New Vehicle Inventory or Hank Graff Used Cars.


Hank Graff Auto Group is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706. For more information on Graff Bay City, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our websites: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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Graff Gives Back - Booster Program

BAY CITY, Mich.- Graff has started our local booster club Graff Gives Back campaign at our Bay City location.  Throughout the month of September we will be supporting our local Bay City, Essexville and Pinconning schools through the Graff Gives Back campaign. Come on in for a test drive and a $10 donation will go towards the athletic department of the school of your choice! Plus, if the vehicle is purchased, Graff will increase the donation to the school of your choice to $50! At the end of September, the two schools that have had the most test drivers, will have their donations bumped up to $12 per test drive!

Graff Gives Back Schools Involved:  Bay City Central, Bay City Western, Bangor John Glenn, Bay City All Saints, Essexville Garber & Pinconning High School

So rally the troops, head on in for a test drive, and refer anyone interested in purchasing a new or used vehicle to Graff Bay City to support your local school! Graff is Giving Back! Your Mid-Michigan Chevy Dealer is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706. For more information on Graff Bay City, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website at www.graffbaycity.com.

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