Olympia Auto Mall
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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Buying a New Car vs. Used - What You Need to Know

new and used cars

Buying new or used cars in Lakewood and the surrounding area is made a simple task with the help of Olympia Auto Mall. 

It’s time to get a new car or at least upgrade to a better model, but should you buy a new car or opt for a more affordable, good quality second hand one? If this is a question you are struggling with, rest assured that many people in the market for a new car grapple with the same consideration. Of course there are pros and cons to both options, but you will need to be completely informed before deciding which option is best suited for you, your lifestyle and your budget. Below are a few things you need to know:

  • You must shop wisely. The first thing that you need to know when considering buying a new car vs. used is that both are good options, if you take the time to consult with and support a reputable and reliable car dealership.

  • New car’s offer the benefit of no miles on the clock, top quality finishes and features and everything being in what should be considered “perfect condition”. They are undoubtedly a great buy, but can be quite a bit more costly than a second hand vehicle. 
  • Second hand cars that are well maintained and serviced can be just as valuable to you. A well maintained car can offer low mileage, good quality interior and exterior and also come with a much lower price tag attached. If you’re going to buy second hand cars, make sure that they are certified. This means that their maintenance and history log has been checked out and that they have been thoroughly serviced.
  • New cars come with more and often better safety features. Stability control, air bags, ABS brakes and more are all features to be expected on a new car. However, this doesn’t mean that older or second hand cars don’t have these features. Always ask the dealership for a full breakdown of a second hand vehicle’s features before you make a decision. 


Whether you are shopping for a new car or a used one in the Lakewood area, it is best to work closely with reputable new and used car dealerships in the area if you want to ensure that you are getting a good price as well as a good deal. Olympia Auto Mall should certainly be on your list of options when shopping around for the right dealership to work with. 

Find new and used cars for sale at Olympia Auto Mall 

If you are looking for used cars in Lakewood for sale, or new cars in Lakewood for that matter; you will find a wide range of options to choose from at our Dealership. We are situated near Lakewood and can offer you test-drives, a selection of top quality vehicles and a wealth of information and advice on the various vehicles that we have for sale.

For more information or to book a test drive, contact us at Olympia Auto Mall today

It’s Simple! More Cars, Less Money
The Olympia Auto Mall

Thursday, June 2, 2016

What to look for in a New or Used Car for your Teenager



It’s finally time for your child to get his / her license! While this is a time of great excitement for your teenager, it’s probably a time of stress for you. While you want to buy your teen a car, the choice between new and used cars for sale in Puyallup and the surrounding area can be tough. There are things to consider when buying a car for a teenager and we have included a few tips below on what to look for in a suitable car, to make the process easier for you:   

• Opt for newer models of vehicles that have electronic stability control. Teens are new drivers and as such, it’s easy to make mistakes, like taking corners too fast or too sharply. Stability control can go a long way towards ensuring that these mistakes don’t become actual accidents.

• Air bags. Most cars have airbags, but not all of them have airbags that are ideal for a teen driver. You’re going to want a complete set of airbags. It’s not just new cars that have these – you will find that many good makes and models of second hand cars have good airbags too. Simply chat with the car dealership to get a selection of cars with these.

• Crash test performance and size – airbags aren’t the only safety feature you should be worried about. For your teen you need a car that is preferably compact in size and has good crash test performance ratings. All new cars have great safety features, but you will find that if you are on a budget, many second hand cars offer just as much in terms of crash test performance and stability control – especially in the luxury vehicles where these features become popular earlier. Don’t be fooled into thinking that all older cars offer limited safety. Always consider safety features before age of the vehicle – but of course, like everything, this should be done within reason. 

These are just a few of the things to look for when shopping around for a new or used car for your teenager. Of course you should also ensure that your teen is ready and willing to be a responsible driver. 

Find a wide selection of used cars at Olympia Auto Mall

At our car dealership near Puyallup we are just as excited about selling you a new & used car as your teen is about getting one! We encourage you to visit our showroom and test-drive some of the cars that we have available. We can also help you with arranging vehicle finance if you don’t plan to buy the car outright. 

Contact us at Olympia Auto Mall for a wide selection of new and used cars for sale in the Puyallup and surrounding area.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Avoid these Common Mistakes when Buying a Used Car

Used Cars in Olympia


If you are looking for a used car for sale in the Tacoma and the surrounding area, make sure that you have a good understanding of how second hand car shopping works. At Olympia Auto Mall we often advise our clients on what to look for in a good quality second hand car. Finding the car of your dreams at a price that you can afford can be exciting, but there are a few common mistakes that people make when buying a used car.

Below are a few second hand car-buying mistakes that you should avoid:

  • Not checking the vehicle history and service log book – it is important for you to know if the vehicle has been involved in any accidents and if any mechanical aspects of the vehicle have failed or been a problem in the past. Remember that the vehicle’s previous maintenance and servicing strategies will determine how much time, money and effort you will need to spend on it going forward.
  • Focusing on the monthly payment instead of the total price of the car – it’s easy to think that a car is affordable if the monthly payments seem low or within reason. Always calculate the total cost of the vehicle including your finance agreement to ascertain whether or not the vehicle is really within your price range.
  • Buying second hand cars that aren’t certified – by choosing to support a car dealership that sells certified pre-owned vehicles, you are doing yourself a favor. Certified used cars often offer lower mileage, are only a few years old and have undergone strict inspections and tests. They are also thoroughly serviced before they are sold.
  • Skimping on the test drive – a test drive isn’t an occasion just to see how you feel sitting in the driver’s seat. You need to make sure that the vehicle drives smoothly, the gears give you no hassles, the brakes work great and that there are no rattles or tell-tale signs that something might be wrong with the engine or any other components of the vehicle. Don’t just zip down the road for your test drive to save time. 

These are just a few of the mistakes that people make when shopping around for used cars for sale. If you need more advice and guidance on how to shop for a car, our consultants at our used car dealership near Tacoma will be more than happy to help.

Top quality certified pre-owned cars for sale at Olympia Auto Mall

At Olympia Auto Mall we have a wide range of cars available for those shopping for new and used cars for sale in the Tacoma and surrounding areas. If you would like to test drive any of our certified pre-owned vehicles, visit our showroom at your convenience. Alternatively, contact us via email or telephone at Olympia Auto Mall today. 


It’s Simple! More Cars, Less Money
The Olympia Auto Mall