Monthly Archives: December 2021

Pay It Forward – Veteran Eddie Smith

Community

A Vietnam veteran who served in the military for two tours, Mr. Smith, affectionately known as Mr. Eddie, has come through some very dark times yet still has the heart to serve.

Even though everyone in his family was in the army or navy at 19, he decided to join the Marnie Corp. His experience with racism as a marine motivated him to become a respected leader while serving in the military. 

In October, the 82-year-old veteran lost his home of 40 years in a fire, forcing him to start over. Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group joined with a surprise! “The dedication you’ve shown your country through your two tours in Vietnam and to the community after your military service is absolutely incredible. We were hurt to hear about what happened to your home and wanted to brighten your day a little.”

During their honeymoon in Jamaica, Mr. Eddie and his wife Paula intended to return. But they weren’t able to due to the pandemic and the fire. In honor of his service, Easterns Automotive Group is sending the couple on an all-expenses-paid trip to Jamaica. 

Completely shocked, the entire family was speechless and brought to tears. If you know someone who should be featured on Pay It Forward, you can nominate them here. In your email, be sure to include who they are and why they deserve to be recognized.

Helping Hands – Santa’s Helpers

Community, Uncategorized

During the holidays, a Fredericksburg couple goes above and beyond to ensure Christmas is a joyful time for their children in the community. Michelle Donnelly and her husband Mike Donnelly have filled a 20-foot U-Haul with thousands of toys that they have collected over the last year.

It’s a labor of love for the Fredericksburg couple who voluntarily donate toys to Toys for Tots every year. “We don’t have kids so this is even better for us,” Michelle said. “It wasn’t until 2016 we received a blessing and we were able to give back.” They are now forming a nonprofit organization called Santa’s Helpers, more than six years after they first started.

“Usually box stores will overstock for Christmas, and then once Christmas is over, they start to discount their stuff and in January we go out,” Michelle said. “A lot of our friends and family, if they are out and about and they see a deal, they call us and we have a good system.”

In appreciation of the Donnelly’s tireless work, Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive joined with a special surprise. “We were blown away by the way that you are helping spread holiday cheer with Santa’s Helpers. We want to donate $2,000 so that you can keep collecting those toys for the community,” Bassam said.

They were overwhelmed with joy at the donation they received from Easterns. “I can’t even tell you what we can do with $2,000,” Michelle said. “It’s amazing. This can fill up one-half of the room because we are very smart about our shopping. I’m floored.”

Pay It Forward – Soles4Souls

Community, Uncategorized

Chris Cabrera has a sustainability line called Naturally London.
It is a botanical-based award-winning foot and hair care line that focuses on transparency and sustainability. This pairs perfectly with the mission of Souls4Soles because they keep shoes out of landfills and provide resources for others around the world.

Sometimes we have more shoes than we need, and somewhere there are others with no shoes at all. There is an organization that changes that. Soles4Souls works with various locations so that people in the community can drop off shoes for those in need. After making sure the shoes are good quality they ship them out.

Easterns Automotive Group heard of the amazing things that Soles4Souls was doing and wanted to help with this awesome mission. We surprised them with $500 worth of shoes and purchased $1,500 worth of foot soap for first responders and hospital staff! Completely speeches you could see the joy in Chris’s face as she accepted the check. She was honored that Naturally London would have the opportunity to help support our everyday heroes.

Will Fancy Tech Make New Cars More Expensive and Difficult to Repair?

FAQs

In some ways yes – fancy gadgets require more specialized parts and training to fix. In the not-so-distant past vehicles were primarily analog in nature. The dashboard dials had more in common with clockwork than computers. That’s all changed in the past decade, and although the advanced sensors and diagnostic suites have made cars safer, they’ve also made them a little more complicated to maintain and repair.

Maybe the most obvious example are Tesla vehicles. They’ve essentially done away with anything that could potentially be considered analog. Nearly every feature in a Tesla vehicle is controlled through digital displays and computerized tech. Most mechanics can’t work on Tesla vehicles – and according to Tesla that shouldn’t be an issue. They’ve essentially tried to design a car that almost never needs major service. Whether that’s how things turn out remains to be seen.

When it comes to vehicle design, the intended goal and reality often don’t align perfectly. Although many Tesla models do have a reputation for reliability, things can still go wrong. That’s one of the reasons why Tesla founded the Tesla START program.

Tesla – as well as many other auto manufacturers that are releasing ever-more-advanced vehicles – recommend visiting the manufacturer’s service centers for repairs. Service centers can have long wait times, especially when every vehicle owner in a metro area only has one or two options to choose from.

Not every Tesla owner will be near a Tesla service center when something goes wrong, which is why they may need a mechanic elsewhere who understands how to diagnose and repair their vehicle. The Tesla START trade school program is intended to help fill that void.

Another example of this shift in auto servicing education is the GM ASEP program. As we wrote about last month, General Motors is aggressively pursuing electric vehicle technology. The mechanics and vehicle techs trained to work on GM commuter and fleet vehicles today and in the not-so-distant future will need to have a thorough understanding of the diagnostic tools and technologies necessary for repairs and service.

Many Auto Shops Aren’t at a Complete Loss

Computers in vehicles aren’t new. Varying degrees of computerization in cars, trucks and SUVs has been occurring for multiple decades now. Most reputable auto shops have the experience and tools necessary to diagnose problems, update vehicle firmware, reflash software and troubleshoot problems with various engine or transmission controls.

Auto Training Changes with the Times

Organizations dedicated to enforcing quality standards in certain industries aren’t static. The National Institute for Automotive Excellence (ASE) regularly adjusts its various certification testing to ensure up-and-coming mechanics get a relevant education.

Their survival as an organization depends on their reputation for testing new mechanics on the skills auto service centers and repair shops need for modern vehicles. If students started realizing ASE certification wouldn’t help their job prospects, they’d stop paying for trade programs that tailor training to ASE certifications.

Should I Avoid Buying New Cars With Fancy Computer-Driven Components?

One could argue that given the current shortages, having repair needs on a new vehicle could be troublesome. However, there’s also an assumption that new vehicles won’t require big repairs or part replacements right away. If components are recalled or under warranty, you generally won’t have to worry about paying out of pocket for expensive repairs, but you still might have to wait for the job to be done.

In theory, not every mechanic will have the skills or technology to repair every vehicle, especially newer ones. You can still likely get repairs fairly easily, especially if you live in or near major metro areas with a lot of service shops and stations.

If you have your heart set on a newish vehicle, partially because of its fancy tech, you likely shouldn’t let fear of being unable to find an experienced mechanic stop you from getting the vehicle you want.

Get a Great Vehicle With Lots of Gadgets From Easterns Automotive

As a pre-owned dealership, Easterns Automotive sells a lot of great vehicles from the past decade, but we also sell a lot of recent year makes and models, many of which have very few miles. Many of these relatively new vehicles are maker certified and protected by great warranties. They likely feature all the electronic bells and whistles you could want and more.

Browse our inventory to find a great vehicle for your needs or visit one of our eight locations in Washington D.C., Baltimore, Maryland and Virginia. 

Best Used Cars Recommended by Mechanics

Different Vehicle Makes

Mechanics are often opinionated about vehicle quality. They work on a lot of vehicles and know which of their regular clients have the most problems, and which rarely – if ever – require significant repairs. Although they’re not car salesmen, they generally have a lot of relevant frontline experience when it comes to vehicle quality and reliability.

Car, Truck & SUV Recommendations

You’ll frequently see mechanics speak highly of Toyota and Honda brands, including Lexus and Acura (their respective luxury offerings). If you ask mechanics their opinions about vehicles, they frequently focus on miles, longevity and major repair needs. They usually have positive opinions of vehicles that can reliably go more than 200,000 miles when they’re properly maintained.

Some standouts include the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. Neither are necessarily considered the flashiest vehicles ever designed. That doesn’t mean either model is lacking in modern comforts or features. Both are available in a variety of trims with varying levels of features and add-ons. Regardless of their trim, they generally offer hundreds of thousands of miles of reliable performance without catastrophic breakdowns.

When it comes to SUV and crossover recommendations, you’ll frequently see names like the affordable Subaru Forester, Nissans, Toyota Highlander and the Kia Sorento. The 2022 Consumer Reports Auto Reliability ranking just listed Lexus as number one thanks to its GX SUV. The versatile Mazda CX-9 also made their top 10 list in terms of reliability for 2022 models.

A lot of mechanics still rave about Ford and Chevy trucks for their durability, especially in rough working conditions. If a work truck doesn’t require frequent repairs and maintenance, even though it’s constantly being stressed, that’s probably a good sign. They also frequently approve of Japanese-built trucks like Toyotas and Nissans.

The Tradeoff Between Reputation, Reliability and Value

Many mechanics are also pragmatists, and they often adopt a nuanced view of vehicle recommendations. For example, they might recommend a Buick to some shoppers instead of a Toyota or Honda. The high demand for Japanese-built vehicles is well earned, but it also means they might in some cases be pricier than the less-renowned domestic vehicles. As a result, you can sometimes get a comparable vehicle for less if you’re willing to buy an alternative that might be slightly less reliable.

Cars With Resale Value

Reliability is important for car ownership, but it can also pay dividends if you’re not planning on holding onto your vehicle for the long term. Vehicles that are popular and reliable frequently depreciate at a slower rate than vehicles with bad reputations. You’ll have an easier time selling your vehicle quickly or getting a good deal on a trade-in if your vehicle is renowned for its dependability, even after hundreds of thousands of miles.

New Isn’t Always Better

New vehicles have a lot of quality of life and safety improvements that make driving more enjoyable and less dangerous. Those are great features, until they breakdown. You might notice some mechanics recommend older vehicles with fewer bells and whistles because they do tend to be cheaper and easier to maintain.

You may not want to be forced to take your vehicle to the manufacturer’s service center for every repair. You might also find it frustrating that special parts always need to be ordered to get your fancy HUD or digital dashboard working again.

There are also still some car owners who are dedicated DIYers and like mechanical things they know how to repair. The more advanced vehicles get, the harder it generally becomes for do-it-yourselfers to continue doing things themselves.

Reliability Ratings

It’s worth listening to mechanics, but keep in mind they aren’t necessarily the fount of all wisdom. You should also do your own research and look up metrics, like a vehicle’s reliability rating. Reliability rating is the measure of a vehicle’s chance for needing repairs and ultimately the cost of owning a vehicle in terms of maintenance and breakdowns. It’s likely that the advice of your mechanic and a vehicle reliability rating will coincide, but it’s still worth checking.

Get a Great Pre-Owned Vehicle in Virginia or Maryland

Easterns Automotive’s service experts thoroughly inspect each vehicle we acquire to ensure it will be a reliable new car, truck or SUV for one of our customers. In addition to getting car buyers great deals and flexible financing, we also want to make sure they never get a lemon.

If you’re in the market for a car with another hundred thousand (or more) miles left, don’t hesitate to browse our inventory or call us at 877-867-0641. You’re sure to find a fantastic vehicle that will meet your needs.

Emissions Checklist for Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.

Uncategorized

Laws and regulations pertaining to vehicle emissions checks vary depending on where you live. In a metro area like the DMV where regulations can change in a matter of miles, things can get a bit complicated. Make sure to do your research on which rules apply to you.

Maryland Emissions Requirements

Maryland’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) applies to vehicles registered in:

  • Anne A​​ru​n​del County
  • Baltimore City
  • Baltimore County
  • Calvert County
  • Carroll County   
  • Cecil County
  • Charles County
  • Frederick County
  • Harford County
  • Howard County
  • Montgomery County
  • Prince George’s County
  • Queen Anne’s County
  • Washington County

If your vehicle isn’t registered in one of those counties, the VEIP rules won’t apply to you. A number of factors may also exempt your vehicle from VEIP requirements. Vehicles made in 1995 or earlier that weigh less than 8,500 pounds, historic vehicles, motorcycles, agricultural equipment and vehicles owned by certain types of drivers (like seniors over the age of 70) might be exempt. Check the Maryland DMV’s website to learn more.

The test your vehicle will be required to undergo depends on its age and type:

  • Gas caps of eligible vehicles manufactured in 1995 or earlier
  • On-board diagnostics for 1996 and newer vehicles (namely the emission control components)
  • Tailpipe test for vehicles manufactured 1995 or earlier and heavy-duty vehicles 2008 or newer

You can find a VEIP station in your county here.

Washington D.C. Vehicle Emissions Inspection

Washington D.C. is one of the few places where you can perform your own vehicle emissions test at a free-standing kiosk.

The type of test your vehicle will need to pass depends on the year it was built. Vehicles built in 1996 or later undergo an on-board diagnostics (OBD) test that is intended to confirm all emissions-related components and systems are working properly. Vehicles manufactured between 1985 and 1995 undergo a tailpipe test. Vehicles built between 1968 and 1983 must past a two-speed idle tailpipe test. 

If your vehicle is registered in Washington D.C. and only requires the OBD test, you can use the self-service kiosk. You may want to read the tutorial first. If for whatever reason you can’t get the self-serve vehicle test to work, you’ll need to visit a DC DMV Inspection Station during their normal business hours.

Virginia Emissions Requirement

Not every Virginia vehicle owner is required to have inspections performed. If your vehicle is registered in one of the following cities or counties, you will be required to have emissions inspections performed:

  • Arlington County
  • Fairfax County
  • Loudoun County
  • Prince William County
  • Stafford County
  • Alexandria
  • Fairfax
  • Falls Church
  • Manassas
  • Manassas Park

Some vehicles are exempt, such as motorcycles, gasoline passengers vehicles over 25 years of age, diesel vehicles manufactured after 1996 that weigh less than 8,501 pounds and electric and natural gas vehicles. You can see the full list of exemptions on the Virginia DMV emissions inspection website.

Virginia makes it easier than a lot of states to get an inspection because they don’t rely solely on DMV-operated emission testing facilities. There are literally hundreds of inspection stations to choose from in cities and counties that require emissions testing because the checks can be performed at nearly any service station, repair shop or dealership that displays the DEQ (Virginia Department of Environmental Quality) logo. You can find a testing station near you here.

In most cases your vehicle emissions testing is required for renewing vehicle registration and is usually good for two years. As with the Washington D.C. and Maryland inspections, most vehicles manufactured since 1996 undergo the OBD testing of the vehicle’s emissions systems. Older vehicles and heavier vehicles may be required to undergo the two-speed dynamometer tailpipe test.

Does Your Vehicle Bought From Easterns Automotive Require Emissions Testing?

Whether your vehicle bought from Easterns Automotive requires emissions testing depends on where you’ll be registering it. Most of the car shoppers visiting our eight locations throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. will likely require some kind of emissions testing.

However, there are a lot of different rules and state and county authorities in the states we serve. Make sure to check with your local DMV on emissions and vehicle inspection requirements for your area.

If you’re looking for a great pre-owned vehicle in the DMV – one that’s been thoroughly inspected for things like vehicle safety and working on-board diagnostics – visit Easterns Automotive Group.

Call us at 877-867-0641 and browse our inventory to learn about our vehicle selection near you.

Great Vehicles Between $20,000 and $30,000 for Sale in Washington D.C. and Baltimore

Sales

It’s easy for Maryland and Virginia residents to get discouraged if they’re hunting for a pre-owned vehicle right now. Inventories are tight and it may feel next to impossible to find a used vehicle that isn’t overpriced.

Thankfully, Easterns Automotive Group is here to help. We have literally hundreds of great low-mileage pre-owned vehicles in the sweet $20,000 to $30,000 range. Most have far fewer than 100,000 miles. In many cases they only have a few thousand miles.

Owners who bought or leased these vehicles new are selling them or getting out of their leases after just 30,000, 40,000 or 50,000 miles. In most cases these cars, trucks and SUVs have only had a single owner who has taken good care of the car and/or have kept it under their lease mileage cap.

That means you’re buying 200,000 more miles and many years of great performance at a significant discount. The steepest depreciation has already occurred, which means you’re getting a great deal on a reliable vehicle – even in a tough used car market.   

2019 Kia Soul

You can view our inventory of 2019 Kia Souls here. Most of these vehicles are the higher-end Soul! and Soul+ trim vehicles and priced at just $20,000 to $25,000, which is a steal for the relatively low mileage Souls in our inventory.

2019 Toyota Corolla

Easterns Automotive has many 2019 Toyota Corolla and Corolla LEs in our inventory, many of which have well under 60,000 miles.

2018 Toyota Camry

Depending on the trim and features, you can find a great 2018 Toyota Camry for anywhere from the low $20,000 to around $30,000. Many of the 2018 Camrys in our inventory have under 40,000 miles, meaning they still have most of their miles ahead of them.

2018 Honda Civic

The great thing about Honda Civics is they’re deservedly popular and, as a result, are relatively easy to find. You can find well over a dozen 2018 Honda Civics in Easterns Automotive’s inventory, including the EX, EX-T, Hatchback EX, LX, Coupe and more. All are priced between $20,000 and $30,000, and most have between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. Some even have far fewer miles and are CARFAX One-Owner certified.

2019 Kia Optima

The recent 2019 Kia Optima received rave reviews in part for the luxury feel of its spacious interior and the great safety and entertainment features available in even the standard trim. You can find exceptional 2019 Kia Optimas in Easterns’ inventory in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.

2018 Honda Accord

Another Honda model renowned for its reliability, class and features is the Accord. With so many Honda Accords on the road, and so many loyal Honda Accord buyers, it’s no surprise many people who buy them new trade up to newer models after just a few years of ownership.

That’s great news for value-driven pre-owned car buyers who can pick up 2018 Honda Accords at a steep discount. Many of the 2018 Honda Accords on Easterns Automotive lots have between 30,000 and 40,000 miles and are deeply discounted at between $25,000 and $30,000.

What to Look for in Pre-Owned Value

Anyone who is under the impression that you can only get a reliable, long-lasting car for $50,000 or more is simply misinformed. With the way vehicle depreciation works, many of the best, longest– lasting vehicles are available at a massive discount within three or four years of being manufactured.

These relatively new vehicles often haven’t been driven much for all kinds of reasons. In places like Baltimore or Washington D.C. many people have relatively short commutes, or only use mass transit to get to and from work or school. They might be older, retired and only use their car to run errands.  

When those drivers sell their vehicles, it’s great news for car shoppers who are looking for discounts on young vehicles – often with nice trims that are decked out with the latest and greatest features.

If you’ve done your research and know the vehicle you’re buying will have minimal maintenance needs and can reliably go more than 200,000 miles, why not buy it preowned?

With hundreds of preowned, lightly used and virtually new vehicles for sale at our eight locations in Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C., you can trust Easterns Automotive has what you’re seeking. Call us at 877-867-0641 or visit our inventory to see what’s in stock.

Helping Hands – The Neighborhood Well

Community, Uncategorized,

Omolayo Adebayo recently launched a program in Maryland that provides showers for the homeless called The Neighborhood Well. When Adebayo is not practicing law as an attorney, she devotes her time and energy to this mission. It is the first non-profit organization of its kind that provides mobile showers to homeless individuals.

“I love encouraging people. My name means, ‘This child brings us joy,'” Adebayo said, smiling. “My parents have always instilled in me to give and give freely.” Joel Bassam from Easterns Automotive Group was touched by Adebayo’s selfless nature and wanted to help in any way he could.

“The Neighborhood Well is a truly amazing organization. The way that you all are providing resources to people experiencing homelessness for them to take the first steps to achieve self-sufficiency is an incredible way to help those individuals,” Bassam said. “We want to donate $2,000 so you can continue supporting those people and achieving the amazing work that you are doing in your community.”

It will help with the purchase of supplies, water disposal, maintenance, and other issues, Adebayo said. “I am overjoyed and always overwhelmed when people see the same vision that I see because it’s not easy to walk this journey,” Adebayo said.

Get Up Give Back – Hope Connections

Community, Uncategorized,

Hope Connections for Cancer Support believes that no patient should face cancer alone. The organization provides emotional and physical support to people living with cancer.

Get Up DC’s Allison Seymour met with the non-profit’s president and CEO, Mary McCusker. Hope Connections helps cancer patients cope with the mind-body connection through its support groups while receiving medical treatments.

“There is something very therapeutic to be able to sit in a room of people that know exactly what you’re going through and what you’re feeling at any given time,” McCusker said. “And then also the physical side. We offer gentle yoga, Pilates, mind-body boxing, and also meditation and relaxation, and all of the things that will really help you on that journey.”

Hope Connections also provides educational programs run by a medical advisory board of professionals. These experts provide information on cancer treatment options and how to deal with fatigue related to cancer.

We had the opportunity to surprise McCusker and donate $1,000 to Hope Connections. McCusker was happy just to share about Hope Connections but walked away in awe by this surprise!