CarWeb Official Blog

Check out these local events for St. Patrick’s Day in the Fredericksburg, Virginia, area.

Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade

12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5

Alfred and King streets, Alexandria, VA 22314

http://www.ballyshaners.org/

The 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade organized by the Ballyshaners steps off in Old Town Alexandria.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 12

3300 Dill Smith Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Website

The 14th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at noon with fire trucks, classic cars, high school marching band, community organizations, Irish dancers, horses, local pageant winners and the Easter Bunny.

Greater Manassas St. Patrick’s Day Parade

11 a.m. Saturday, March 12

Quarry Road and Prescott Avenue, Manassas, VA

http://www.stpatparade.net/

This parade features Irish dance groups, the Northern Virginia Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe and Drum, Washington Scottish Pipe and Drum, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Coalition Pipe and Drum, the Marine Corps Color Guard and other community organizations.

ShamrockFest 2016 at RFK Stadium

3-11 p.m. Saturday, March 12

2400 E. Capitol St. NE, Washington, D.C.

https://shamrockfest.com/

This huge event features live music, food, drinks, roving entertainers, craft vendors, an Irish village, carnival rides, games and more. Headliners include Gaelic Storm, Blues Traveler and Reel Big Fish.

Washington D.C. St. Patrick’s Parade

Noon Sunday, March 13

Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, Washington, D.C.

http://dcstpatsparade.com/

This parade features more than 100 units of marching bands, military, dance schools, floats and community organizations.

Leprechaun Leap 1-Mile Youth Trail Run at Brooks Memorial Park

9 a.m. to noon Monday, March 14

80 Butler Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22406

Website

This run for children 13 and younger features refreshments and a T-shirt and commemorative medal for each participant.

When it comes time to upgrade your car to a “brand-new” used one, you have two options: try to sell your car on your own or trade it in as part payment for the “new” used vehicle. We think you should consider all of the advantages of trading in your old car vs selling it. Here’s why:

Simplicity

The easiest way to get rid of your old car is to hand it over to us. Seriously, we don’t mind! We love buying people’s used cars because it gives us more variety in our inventory to help the next customer find just the ride they’re looking for. It’s as easy as handing over the keys when you come in to buy your new vehicle. Now compare that with the thought of placing classified ads, taking phone calls and emails, dealing with strangers and giving them test drives. We think the choice is obvious.

Down payment

Trading in your old vehicle is the most straightforward way of putting down a great big down payment. It’s quick and easy, and it goes a long way toward the expense of paying off your new vehicle. If you choose to sell your old car yourself, you may be stuck with it for weeks or months before you find a buyer. Meanwhile, your bills could be adding up. If you need the money for a down payment right away, the smartest option is usually a trade-in.

Tax advantage

When you get down to the nitty-gritty paperwork of the used car transaction, there’s often a substantial tax advantage involved. In many cases, sales tax is only charged on the difference in cost between the trade-in value of the old car and the purchase price of the new car. Just know that if you sell your old car yourself, you may end up paying much more in sales tax.

Repairs

Chance are you’re selling your old car because it’s become a bit of a headache. Maybe there are some dings and dents and chipped windows. Maybe you’ve slipped way behind in regular tune-ups and minor maintenance. Or maybe it’s turned into a real clunker and you’ve barely managed to roll it into our lot. We don’t care. We inspect and repair each vehicle thoroughly, restoring them to like-new condition. We’ll take your trade-in no matter what. We certainly can’t say the same for a private buyer, who might take one look at your car and hit the road.

There’s a good chance that if you’re prepared to put in a lot of time and effort, you can sell your old car for more than the trade-in value. However, if your car is in less-than-great condition, if it’s a model that’s in low demand right now, or if it has higher than average mileage, you’re guaranteed to be better off trading it in. Come and see us!

When you’re shopping for a used car, you have a choice: You can buy one from a used car dealership or you can buy one from a private seller. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option. Naturally, here at Carweb Inc., we think it’s wisest to make such a big purchase at a used car dealer. We’ll tell you why.

Paperwork

When you buy from a used car dealer, the dealer handles all of the paperwork associated with the transaction, including title transfer and registration. When you buy from a private seller, you and the seller are responsible for all of the paperwork, including the bill of sale and handling taxes and fees. You’ll have to go to the DMV as well.

Financing

Unlike a private seller, we offer convenient financing. In fact, you can get pre-approved by clicking here. Save yourself the hassle of shopping around for a bank loan.

Warranty

Many of our cars come with bumper-to-bumper factory warranties. You won’t find that from a private seller. Used cars are typically sold “as is,” which means you’re saddled with any problems that crop up after the sale.

Condition of vehicles

All of our cars have been thoroughly inspected and, if need be, repaired to like-new condition. Each one comes with a Carfax vehicle history report, so you know exactly what you’re going to get. When buying from a private seller, either you or the seller must take the time and expense to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle.

Finding the right car

Finding the perfect used car for your needs is easy at Carweb Inc. We have a huge inventory of all makes, models, body styles and price ranges. Make your car-buying experience a one-stop shop instead of combing through online classifieds looking for the right vehicle.

Trade-ins

If you already have a car and are looking to upgrade to a newer one, trading in the old one is a great option to put in a down payment. Private sellers want cash, not your old vehicle. We need your used car to expand our inventory. Trading it in saves you the trouble of having to become a used car seller yourself.

Legal protection

Used car dealerships like Carweb Inc. follow stringent laws designed to protect consumers from things like purchasing a lemon or a salvaged vehicle. Private sellers aren’t bound by the same laws, making a private sale a risky proposition. It’s important to buy from someone you trust.

In parts of the country that experience freezing temperatures, winter driving can be a real hazard. To neutralize the danger of icy roads, salt and sand or chemical spray is spread on the roads after a snowstorm. These substances lower the ice’s freezing point, causing it to melt away faster, while also providing much-needed traction for drivers. Unfortunately, there’s a downside. Road salt can wreak havoc on your car’s body, paint and undercarriage. Here are some ways to protect your car from the ravages of road salt.

Be prepared

• Before winter hits, wash your car thoroughly, covering every square inch, including underneath.
• Carefully wax your vehicle. Give it a good coat, including a wax sealant to seal the deal.
• Apply an undercarriage sealant as well. This may be a job to leave to the professionals, but you can buy a product to do it yourself.

Keep it clean

• Run your vehicle through the car wash as often as possible in winter.
• Plan car washes when the temperature rises a little above freezing, and when there’s no precipitation in the forecast.
• If you have the time and patience, you can re-wax and re-seal after every few washes.
• Otherwise, get in touch with a good car detailer. There are mobile ones who will clean your car while you’re at work.

Wash at home

• Dress warm and waterproof if you’re going to wash your car at home.
• Work from top to bottom, and get into all those hard-to-reach places where salt and slush can splash into.
• Use soap specially made for washing a car, not dish soap, which can strip wax. Use a purpose-made sponge instead of a shop rag, which may have metal shavings in it.
• Add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda to the water to help neutralize the salt.
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all the soap.
• Dry thoroughly.

The best way to stay safe in a blizzard is to stay at home. But if you must be out on the road, we’ve got some tips for you to make the best of it.

Be prepared

• Gas is pretty cheap these days. Keep your gas tank topped off a little more this time of year. If you get stuck, you’ll be able to leave the car running and stay warm until help arrives.
• Make a winter emergency kit with windshield scraper, shovel, water and snacks, blanket and warm clothes, road salt or sand for traction, first aid kit and anything else you might need on the road.
• Make sure you know where to park so you don’t get plowed in.
• Before driving, clear off all of your windows and mirrors of ice and snow. Don’t forget to clear off your headlights and taillights!

While driving

• Be patient. Stopping and changing direction are going to take much longer than normal, so slow down and stay alert.
• Pick a lane and stick to it. Drive in the tracks created by other cars. Don’t change lanes unless the one you’re in becomes unmanageable. A sudden lane change maneuver might put your car in the ditch.
• Don’t try to pass snow removal trucks — that’s asking for trouble. Besides, your best place to be is well behind a plow as it clears a path or salts the road for you.

If you get stuck

• If you’re really, really stuck or have ended up in the ditch, stay put and call for roadside assistance. Be thankful you packed snacks in your winter emergency kit.
• If you’re only a little bit stuck — and it’s safe to exit your vehicle — you can get to work with your shovel and sand. Dig out around the tires and pour out some sand or salt for traction.
• Put the vehicle in its lowest gear and slowly move the car forward and backward to “rock” it out. Causing the tires to spin will just create a slick, icy surface.

If you’re staying home

• Don’t order food for delivery! They don’t want to be out in the snowstorm for the same reasons you don’t.
• If you do order food for delivery, tip VERY well. And be patient, because it might take a while.

Here at Car Web, we know that getting a great deal on a used car is about more than just the low price. It’s about ensuring your happiness long after the sale. That’s why we work so hard to make sure we’re offering the highest-quality pre-owned cars in the area. Since we want you to be experts on buying used cars just like we are, here are some things to keep in mind when you’re browsing our lot or other used car lots in the area.

Research prices

You can easily search for the Blue Book value of any make, model and year vehicle online. A specific vehicle’s mileage and condition will affect the price, but you’ll know the ballpark figure. We come as close to the lowest Blue Book price as we can, often beating the average price with promotional offers.

Research reviews

A quick Google search for the model and year of car you’re checking out will tell you what people think of it and what problems they may have encountered. If the results scare you, it’s best to steer clear of that vehicle, although we’ll have taken care of any recall issues and remedied any problems we can.

Vehicle condition

Always look carefully at the aesthetics of a car, inside and out. We detail each car and carefully inspect all of the parts. Go ahead and pop the hood to check for any dirt or rust. Remember that it’s possible for a car to be in a fender-bender and then be repaired to look as good as new. That leads us to the next item on our checklist.

Vehicle history report

All of our vehicles come with a free Carfax vehicle history report and a Carfax Buyback Guarantee. You should never shop for a used car at a dealership that doesn’t offer some kind of vehicle history report. You never know what you are going to get, and what you don’t want is a lemon. Many of our used vehicles come with a warranty as well.

Test drive

The test drive may be the most important part of the vehicle buying process, but some people don’t spend enough time on it. Make sure the vehicle is comfortable and the visibility is good. Get it up to highway speed and listen for squeaks and rattles. See what it’s like to parallel park. Whatever it takes to get to know the vehicle you might be spending your hard-earned money on.

When you’re shopping around for a used car, you’re about to make on of the biggest purchases a person can make. It’s best not to rush into things. You’ve already made the right decision by coming to us: Always choose a used car dealership you can trust. About us. Now we’ll tell you what else to be careful of so you can end up with the right car at the right price.

Skimping on the research

Spend as much time as you can on our website, researching and comparing models. That’s what it’s here for. We want you to be fully informed and prepared when you come to see us at the dealership for a test drive. So take your time online.

Start your research here: Inventory. 

Focusing too much on the monthly payment

We can make the terms for just about any car in our inventory fit your monthly budget. It’s important to consider the interest rate and the length of the loan to know how much car you can truly afford.

Not knowing the value of your trade-in

Use online tools like the ones available at our website to figure out what your trade-in is worth. If you’re worried that your car might need some minor repairs, don’t sweat it. It’s best to save your money toward the price of the new car. We can fix minor issues with your trade-in.

Value your trade. 

Not doing a nice, long test drive

Don’t be nervous about driving a car that doesn’t belong to you. This is your opportunity to test it out in all kinds of conditions. Take the car on the highway and get it up to speed. Try backing it up to check what the visibility is like. You can even make a checklist of your usual driving and parking conditions and mark things off as you go.

Apply for financing. 

Not getting pre-approved for a car loan

Before you get here, be sure to use our online form for pre-approval of your financing. You’ll know exactly what you can spend on a car and what our best deal on the interest rate is. You can’t beat the convenience of one-stop shopping at our dealership.

Rushing into a purchase

Don’t feel pressured to buy right away. We know our prices seem like the deal of the century, but you do have a right to sleep on it before signing up for this major purchase. Take your time. We’ll be here when you’re ready.

Still have questions? Contact us. 

If you made a New Year’s resolution to get in shape in 2016, we’re going to help you stick to it. No excuses this year! These are some of our favorite fitness places in Fredericksburg VA.

Pedal power

Our favorite form of exercise is people-powered transportation. That’s right, believe it or not, we recommend parking the car for a while and hitting the road on your own two feet. Walking, running, bicycling and inline-skating are all great options, and there are lots of trails in the area where you can do these activities for free while enjoying the outdoors. A great place to get started is right here. Just download the map and away you go.

Pump some iron

Would you rather burn fat and build muscle in a controlled indoor environment? Are you best motivated by a personal trainer or the thought of wasted membership fees? Then a fitness center may be the thing for you. Here are some of the best places to go for a workout in our area:

American Family Fitness

http://amfamfit.com/

10020 Southpoint Pkwy

Fredericksburg, VA 22407

(540) 898-6111

Gold’s Gym

http://www.goldsgym.com/fredericksburgva/

2380 Plank Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 368-0032

Planet Fitness

http://www.planetfitness.com/gyms/fredericksburg-va-266

1257 Jefferson Davis Hwy

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 322-5652

Fredericksburg Sport & Health

http://www.sportandhealth.com/locations/virginia-clubs/Fredericksburg

1191 Central Park Blvd.

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 786-4242

Rappahannock Area Y

http://www.family-ymca.org/

212 Butler Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22405

(540) 371-9622

Anytime Fitness

http://anytimefitness.com/gyms/3434/Fredericksburg-VA-22406

27 South Gateway Drive

Fredericksburg, VA 22406

(540) 809-3183

Fly Fitness Inspiration

http://www.flyfitnessinspiration.com/

501 William St.

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 847-5614

Bodyworks Downtown Athletic Club

http://www.bodyworksdowntown.com/

1027 Caroline St.

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 899-2203

Fitness 1440

http://www.fitness1440.com/fredericksburgva/

570 Celebrate Virginia Pkwy

Fredericksburg, VA 22406

(540) 752-7643

Koko FitClub of Fredericksburg

http://fredericksburgva.kokofitclub.com/local/

5629 Plank Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22407

(540) 786-5656

As more and more high-tech features are packed into new cars every year, these gadgets and gizmos quickly filter down into the late-model used car market. Now, when you buy a pre-owned car, you can expect to get a lot more for your money in terms of advanced features. Let’s take a look at some of the new technologies that might be available on used cars in 2016.

Hands-free driving — Autonomous cars have been a hot topic in 2015. Expect to hear more about them in 2016. More car makers are quickly adding features that bring cars closer to being able to drive themselves. By the end of 2016, you’ll see some of these features available on cars on the lot: lane-keeping and automatic lane changing, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitors.

Cameras everywhere — Rearview cameras are a great convenience feature that has become standard on many late-model cars. But some carmakers have found even more use for cameras lately. They can be installed to monitor blind spots, watch the sidewalk for pedestrians at crossings, or even simulate an overhead bird’s-eye view of your whole vehicle to monitor all directions at once. All of this can be displayed on your car’s dash-mounted screen.

Monitoring teen drivers — If you’re buying a used car for a first-time driver, you might be interested in new teen driver safety features. Nosy parents can now get on-screen data reports of everything their kids do when driving, including, speed, distance, whether seat belts are on, where they’ve been and even how loud the volume on the stereo was. You can even set speed limits and proximity limits on some cars.

Mobile apps — A big feature to hit new cars in 2015 was connectivity for smartphones. Many cars now have options to connect your Apple or Android phone to the infotainment system and use your favorite apps on the car’s touchscreen. These indispensible features will begin to become commonplace in the used car market next year.

Open says me — Lots of new cars, especially in the hugely popular crossover segment, have hands-free functions to open doors or the tailgate/trunk. These can use the car’s remote control keyfob, but more commonly you don’t even need to press a button. Simply by waving your foot under the trunk (or even just standing near the trunk or door you want to open with the key fob in your pocket) you can open the car without setting down your load.

Grab your party hat and noisemaker (and maybe some of those glasses shaped like the number 2016) and get ready to ring in the new year at these local events.

Ride in the New Year

11 a.m., Central Park Fun-Land, 1351 Central Park Blvd., Fredericksburg

This festival event features outdoor thrill rides, and arts, crafts and food vendors. $30. Website 

New Year’s Eve Gala

6 p.m., Riverside Center, 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg

This event features a dinner performance of “MAME,” DJ and dancing, party favors and champagne. $105. Website 

New Year’s Eve Comedy Show

7 p.m., Cool Cow Comedy, 620 Caroline St., Fredericksburg

This event features comedy by Stewart Huff. $45-$60. Website 

New Year’s Eve Beer Dinner

7 p.m., Spencer Devon Brewing, 106 George St., Fredericksburg

This event features a four-course meal with beer pairings and a beer toast at midnight. $85. Website 

New Year’s Eve Party

9 p.m., Spencer Devon Brewing, 106 George St., Fredericksburg

This event features snacks and Champagne Ale in champagne flutes. $25. Website 

New Year’s Eve

Hard Times Cafe — Four Mile Fork, 5099 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg

This event features a DJ and live music. Website 

New Year’s Eve

9 p.m., Deutschland Downtown, 411 William St., Fredericksburg

This event features live music and dinner specials. Website