Coping with a Road Trip Emergency

“Be prepared to manage a road trip setback,:

says GMT Auto Sales St. Louis

Road trips can oftentimes take unwanted detours.

• Do you know how to steer a vehicle in the throes of a blow-out?
• What would you do if your car broke down on Interstate 55, on the outskirts of Chicago?
• If someone rear-ends your automobile, what actions should you take?

GMT Auto Sales St. Louis prescribes tactics for safely managing an unforeseen road trip setback.

Safety rules when it comes to being stranded on any frequently traveled interstate.

Facing a Roadside Vehicle Failure

During a blowout, it becomes almost impossible to steer straight. To safely get out of harms way, try to steer the car onto the shoulder of the road.

• Do not hit the brakes or jerk the steering wheel. Mac Demere, a contributor of Popular Mechanics advises “pressing the gas pedal” to gain vehicular stability.

If possible try to make your way to theright side of the road (opposite of oncoming traffic).

• If you have to leave the car, you won’t have to cross traffic lanes. More importantly, it is very dangerous to change a tire on the median strip.

AAA reports that flat tires, dead batteries and running out of fuel account for the highest number of roadside assistance responses.

Managing a Car Collision

Before exiting the car, if possible, use your mobile device to snap a photo of the other vehicle’s damage and license plate. In the event, the motorist tries to drive away without exchanging contact and insurance information, you have documented the details.

• “Exchange contact information with the motorists of autos, implicated in the car crash, When traveling alone never leave the car unless there is the threat of fire; or, a public safety official is in close proximity to the scene of the accident,” advises a spokesperson at GMT Auto Sales St. Louis.
• Report the accident to the highway state patrol or police in jurisdiction.
• Maintain a copy of the police report for your records.
• Whether you have auto insurance or a liability policy, contact the company, underwriting your coverage. In the event, the other motorist tries to file a claim against you or your insurance company, your provider can take the appropriate steps.
• Take numerous snapshots of the auto wreckage. To validate how the collision happened, capture photos that tell the story.

Did you know that: 25 percent of accidents happen at night time.
(Source: National Highway Transportation Safety Administration)

Managing these setbacks can influence how quickly you’re able to recover the road trip.

If your automobile is totaled or in need of repair, remember to cancel your lodging reservation.

Finally, don’t forget to travel with an emergency car kit and first aid kit. And, don’t forget to travel with a mobile device, along with its charger.

When in need of safe, reliable used cars for sale, road test cars at GMT Auto Sales, Saint Louis MO.

5 Car Buying Considerations of a Savvy Consumer

Money wise consumers know that when it comes to buying a vehicle, used cars generally afford the greatest value. However, five considerations drive the cost of owning an automobile.

GMT AUTO SALES ST. LOUIS REVEALS HOW TO CALCULATE A USED CARS’ VALUE

GMT Auto Sales St Louis provides car shoppers with five vital calculations to determine prior to buying a vehicle.How to gauge car buying costs?

The monthly car note is not the only calculation to measure when buying a car.
Cost estimates by AAA indicate that from fuel economy, auto insurance, and annual maintenance all influence the vehicle ownership budget. Prior to selecting an automobile, check the average auto insurance premiums to determine affordability of insurance coverage.

Review the average fuel economy published by FuelEconomy to gauge your budget. The information is available on the U.S. federally funded website, identifying the estimated annual fuel cost of car produced since 2010.)

Which car to buy?

A savvy auto consumer bases their car buying decision on three factors:affordability, safety and style. A good performing car is both safe and reliable Refer to the reports, feedback and crash tests, featured at SaferCar.gov.

Always invest in a new or used car, suitable for your lifestyle and economic scenario. In other words, never buy a car that will take up more than a fourth of your monthly pay. Consider the vehicle'” suggests a consultant of GMT Auto Sales St. Louis.

How to offset certain costs?

“Some of our customers add an extended warranty to the car loan; However, most financial planners do not recommend this because, car buyers end up paying more in interest costs than the actual value of the vehicle.

For instance, extended warranties should never be rolled into the price of your auto loan, as you end up paying extraneous interest costs that do not affect the on the Pay any extra expenses out of pocket,” recommends a financial coordinator at GMT Auto Sales St. Louis.

Fuel Economy.gov publishes the fuel efficiency of all vehicles, produced since 2012.

On auto buying websites, (i.e. GMT Auto Sales St. Louis) used car dealerships often publish the monthly car note.

When to buy a used car?

As for scoring a valuable car deal, timing can be everything. Many auto experts advise car buyers to purchase a vehicle at the end of the year or at the beginning of the new year when new and used car dealerships are clearing out older inventory.

Where to buy a used car?

Shop at used car dealerships, where the inventory includes hundreds of preowned vehicles. The auto dealer should also be affiliated with numerous financial institutions. A good selection of preowned vehicle coupled with a variety of auto loan options help ensure a satisfying car buying experience.

“Road test our dealership for quality preowned automobiles: GMT Auto Sales St. Louis, the premier source to buy a used car in Missouri.

St. Louis County: The Halloween Report 2015

With some one-million children and adults in the St. Louis County area, Halloween remains a huge deal. And with some popular Halloween events, there’s no shortage of tricks, treats and spooky things to do around town, from pumpkin carvings to Lemp Brewery, here’s a shortlist of Halloween events for all ages.

Mega Halloween Bash

Johnnie Brock’s Dungeon Halloween Bash at St. Louis Ball Park Village comprises four clubs, bars and costume contests for ages 21 and over–sponsored by the most iconic names in St. Louis, Cardinals Nation, Budweiser Brew House, Howl at the Moon and PBR St. Louis. This Halloween event also includes a live performance by St. Louis Party Band Dr. Zhivegas.
Saturday 10/31/2015. Doors open at 7:00 PM 3:00 AM
Ballpark Village | 601 Clark Avenue | St. Louis, MO, 63102| Additional details at: http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/entertainment/event/6956

Scariest Halloween Events

Dubbed “America’s best haunted houses: The Abyss at Lemp Brewery, Darkness and Creepyworld open on various dates, starting the weekend of September 18. Then, the Abyss, opens in October.
Please visit ScareFest.com for additional times, dates and admission details.

Six Flags Rides High on Halloween 2015

Effective October 2nd through 1, 2015, Six Flags – St. Louis beckons Halloween thrill seekers to experience the park in a stark and ghoulish light. As it morphs into Halloween playground for adults and kids alike, there’s a treasure trove of spine-chilling highlights: a haunted house, spooky entertainment, and rides featured in darkness.
Additional details, here: http://www.sixflags.com/
stLouis/index.aspx

No Haunting – Halloween Events in St. Louis County

For those looking to experience a non-haunting Halloween experience, GMT Auto Sales always has mind blowing auto sales deals.

It’s all about pumpkins, carvings and kids on Sunday October 25, 2015. St. Louis County hosts this pumpkin carving event with a $10 admission.
More details: http://stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ThingsToDo/HalloweenEvents


Halloween at Grant’s Farm serves as another non-scary event on Friday, October 9, through Saturday 10, 2015

Skip the hair raising Halloween horror for a family centric night at Grant’s Farm. Halloween-themed shows, a moonlight tram rides through the dark Deer Park, and electrifying music spun by a DJ represent the highlights at Grants Farm.
Review additional details on this Halloween event at. 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. http://www.grantsfarm.com | (314) 843-1700

Halloween Safety Tips

From auto collisions, falls, to burns, accidents are notoriously common for Halloween. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises a number of safety tips to keep children and kids safe:

• Chaperoned trick or treating. For safety reasons, children under the age of 14 should be chaperoned to trick or treat.
• There’s safety in numbers. Older adolescents should always travel in groups.
• Steer clear of disaster. Cross in the middle of intersections has been a common fatality. Always cross the street at corners and designated crosswalks.
• Wear smart Halloween costumes. Halloween attire that shields visibility tends to be the culprit behind many road side fatalities. Consider Halloween costumes with good visibility. Costumes should also be flame resistant.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also recommends adorning trick or treat bags with reflective tape and arming the kids with flashlights.

Reliable Used Cars in Florissant MO

GMT Auto Sales is proud to serve customers with quality used cars in St Louis Missouri and excellent customer service for over 15 years in the St. Louis area including West County, North County, St. Charles, and surrounding areas. If you are looking for a used or pre-owned car, truck, or SUV, our sales team will help you find the vehicle that best meets your needs. We also have our entire inventory of over 800+ vehicles available to you online. We have excellent customer service and are here to serve you in a hassle-free sales environment.

Our sales team will work with you to identify your needs and help you find the vehicle you want! If financing is an issue, we will find a solution that works for you. We are the home of "Financing For Everyone." We are able to do this because after more than 15 years of financing customers, we have developed special relationships with over 20 lenders, some of which other dealerships simply do not work with. This gives us the ability to provide financing to people with less than perfect credit, people going through bankruptcy, and great rates for first time car buyers.

At GMT Auto Sales, we want to develop a relationship with you, not just for this one car sale, but for all of your automotive needs – now and in the future. We stand by our vehicles and will be there for you down the road. Give us a chance to earn your business. Browse our online inventory, give us a call, chat live, e-mail, or just come by and see us today!

Test Your Car Buying Knowledge

Think you know the art to buying quality used cars.
GMT Auto Sales St. Louis challenges you to its test.

How much do you know about buying a new or used car? GMT Auto Sales St. Louis challenges you test your car buying intelligence, with this short quiz.

Select the answer according to true and false multiple choices.


1) When it comes to buying a car, consumers should refer to:

A) The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, NHTSA.gov
B) The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)(LINK)
C) SaferCar.gov
D) All of the above

2) Any vehicle with a recall is not worth buying.

A) True
B) False

3) Ideally, you should test test drive a car for ________.

A) Two-hours
B) 45-minutes
C) Half an hour
D) As long you feel comfortable.

4) Tires information is not included in the vehicle history report.

A) True
B) False

5) In the state of Missouri, it is illegal for a dealership to sell automobiles with ________.

A) More than two previous owners.
B) More than 30,000 miles
C) Salvaged parts.
D) All of the above.

6) Prior to shopping for a new or used car, one should calculate:

A) Fuel costs.
B) Insurance cost.
C) Maintenance.
D) All of the above.

7) Buyback car guarantees are

A) Great policies for protecting a used car buy
B) A waste of money
C) Available on new car buys only.
D) Unethical policies.

8) According to Banks, and lending institutions, a borrowers monthly car note should not exceed ________.

A) Half of your monthly income.
B) A quarter of your monthly income.
C) A third of your monthly income and
D) A tenth of the take home pay.

9) When shopping for a preowned vehicle, it’s good to take several months to shop for the best deal on the car and financing.

A) True
B) False

10) Auto buyers with a poor credit score can never qualify for a car loan

A) True
B) False

Car Buying Answers

1. (D) When shopping for new and used cars, the IIHS, NHTSA and SaferCar.gov are vital resources for car buying research.
2.  (B) as all recalls hinge on the faulty parts. For instance, a recall for an irregular sized cup holder does not carry the same safety issues as a faulty air bag.
3. (C) Thirty minutes is the minimum recommended time to road test a car.
4. (A) True when test driving a car, be sure to evaluate the condition of each tire.
5. (C) It is illegal for Missouri auto dealers to sell vehicles, comprised of salvage vehicle parts.
6. (D) Car buyers should calculate insurance, maintenance and fuel costs before finalizing any transaction.
7. (A) A buyback guarantee provides used car buyers with a form of protection on their buy. Read more about buyback guarantees.
8. ( C) Your monthly car note should not account for more than a one-third of your monthly income and other financial responsibilities.
9. It’s never a good idea to apply for credit for several months at a time, as it lowers the credit score. Instead, from choosing the best car to securing a an auto loan, allow a month’s time to complete the car buying transaction,
10. (B). It depends on the auto dealer’s reputation and relationship with lending institutions. For instance, GMT Auto Sales St Louis provides guaranteed auto loans for the consumer with bad credit or a low credit score. We set our used car prices below the National Automobile Dealers’ Association.

Scoring:
10-9 correct: Champion car buyer.
8- 7 correct: Savvy auto shopper
6-4 Marginally informed car buyer
3 and lower Need to do more auto buying research.

Put your car buying skills through this virtual tour at GMT Auto Sales St Louis.