Pre-approved financing, trade value, finance applications, and calculating payments and fuel savings can all be done quickly and safely from our site. It’s easy to find the car of your dreams. Every day we walk people through our inventory and watch their eyes light up when they see ‘the one.’ Without question, it’s our favorite part of this job. Our least favorite part, and the least favorite part of the car-buying process for everyone else, is the paperwork. Finance can be an anxiety-riddled headache at its worst, and at it’s best it’s a seemingly endless trail of paperwork. We decided to do something about it. When we redesigned our website, we put a lot of emphasis on taking care of as much of the paperwork upfront as possible. Financial Services With Real-Time Answers was our goal. We want you to know when you use our site for any financial services, that your information will be protected to the utmost degree. Especially when it comes to our Auto Finance Pre-Approval form. It’s simple and straightforward, and it does not require your Social Security Number or Date of Birth, nor does it show up as a hard credit inquiry on your credit report. It’s simply a tool that is designed to help you figure out where you stand, even before you pop in for a test drive. We’ve even made it so that you can receive an instant APR. The days of waiting, and putting your private information on paper have come and gone. There’s a better way. When you’re ready, you are also more than welcome to use our online form to complete the full finance application. Your current credit situation isn’t anything to worry about. Our specialists are well versed in helping you find a way to keep moving. But this application is very much the first step in getting you behind the wheel. Because of the sensitive nature of the information, we went to the extreme by protecting this form with a 256-bit secure encryption. Your information is as safe as humanly possible. You can use our site with some real peace of mind. A few features we are also really proud of are the Fuel Savings Calculator, the Monthly Payment Calculator, and the Trade In Calculator. We tried to consolidate all the tools you usually have to go elsewhere for. The Fuel Savings Calculator lets you see exactly how much money you’ll save each year with a new Volkswagen, the Monthly Payment Calculator will help you see exactly which new VW you can afford, and the Trade In Calculator uses a integrated tool to let you know exactly how much your old vehicle is worth. With these tools, and these simplified forms, we think this part of the shopping process got a lot easier, and a little bit fun. It isn’t easy to make finance fun for a lot of people. But we did our best. We hope you’ll make use of what we’ve put together for you. Of course, if you ever have any finance questions, let us know. We are happy to clear anything up, or help you get back on track.
Common Tax Mistakes Now that the Christmas holiday is behind us, we’re getting ready to face another season of sorts altogether: tax season. Yes, in a few weeks we’ll begin sorting through our paperwork for the year, hoping that we can take home a sizeable return to help us into a new purchase (or who knows, a new Volkswagen). However, what common tax mistakes do we make that prevent us from getting the return we deserve? Here are four of the most regular errors for you to avoid, with a little help from your friends at Speedcraft VW! Typographical Errors While most of us are pretty adept at jotting down--or, more likely, typing--our own information, if we’re doing the taxes for family members or claiming dependents, then the addition of social security numbers, dates of birth, and the like can make typos much more common. Be sure to double check your values to make certain that they’re correct. Math Mistakes It's almost tax time; are you ready? This is an area where we can avoid mistakes simply by leaning on today’s technology. According to IRS figures, we are twenty times more likely to make a math mistake if we use a paper and pen rather than e-filing or using tax-prep software. So, once again, go over all of your materials in advance to ensure that everything is correct. You’d hate to have the forms sent back to you and delay your return, right? Incorrect Filing Status or Selecting the Wrong Deductions Some of the wording on tax forms can be a little troublesome, which leads many filers to select the wrong filing status when they file. Additionally, some might assume that they are eligible for a deduction, or neglect to choose an exemption that they actually are qualified for. However, the most common problem in this regard usually comes after a divorce, when parents of minor children don’t know who is eligible to claim the kids as dependents. In this case, it’s probably best to consult a tax professional for clarification. Forgetting to Sign the Paperwork This is more common than you might have initially thought. Just as we sometimes forget to endorse a check, we’ll sometimes complete all the paperwork and then forget the simplest and most important step, rendering the entire enterprise invalid. So be certain to sign at the end and, if you are filing jointly with a spouse, to get both necessary signatures. We trust that these tips will help to avoid mistakes, and to get your full return on time! And, in time for the tax season, we’ll be having lease and financing specials at Speedcraft VW as well! Stay tuned!
Driving a new car is exciting, but life is unpredictable. Maybe your family is growing, your commute has changed, or you simply want a different vehicle. If you’re currently leasing but feeling stuck in your contract, you aren’t alone. Many drivers wonder if they can terminate their lease before the term is up without facing massive penalties. A car lease is essentially a long-term rental agreement where you pay for the depreciation of the vehicle over a set period—usually 24 to 36 months. While these contracts are designed to be binding, they aren’t ironclad cages. There are legitimate, strategic ways to exit a lease early. Whether you're looking to upgrade to the latest Volkswagen Atlas or simply need to downsize, understanding your exit strategy can save you money and headaches. Here are the three most effective ways to get out of a car lease early. 1. Transfer Your Lease (Lease Assumption) One of the most popular ways to exit a lease without penalties is to transfer it to someone else. This process, known as a lease assumption, involves finding another driver who is willing to take over your remaining payments and the vehicle itself. This option is often a win-win. You get to walk away from the financial obligation, and the new driver gets a short-term lease without having to put down a large down payment. There are dedicated third-party websites that connect lease sellers with buyers, making the search easier. However, there are a few caveats. First, you must check your contract or contact your finance company to ensure lease transfers are permitted. Second, the new lessee must meet the credit requirements of the leasing company. Once the transfer is approved and the paperwork is signed, you are typically released from further liability. 2. Buy Out the Lease If you love the car but hate the lease terms (or perhaps you’ve gone way over your mileage limit), buying out the lease might be your best move. Most lease agreements include a "payoff amount" or "buyout price." This is the sum of the remaining lease payments plus the vehicle’s residual value (what the car is estimated to be worth at the end of the lease). You can choose to buy the car outright with cash or finance it with a car loan. Once you own the vehicle, the lease restrictions regarding mileage and wear and tear no longer apply. You are then free to keep driving the car for as long as you like or sell it privately whenever you choose. This strategy is particularly smart if the current market value of your car is higher than the buyout price listed in your contract—a situation that has become surprisingly common in recent years due to vehicle shortages. 3. Trade In Your Leased Vehicle For many drivers, this is the simplest and most convenient option. You can trade in your leased vehicle at a dealership, just as you would if you owned the car. Speedcraft Volkswagen can appraise your current vehicle and determine its trade-in value. Here is how the math works: The dealer pays off the remaining balance of your lease. If your car’s trade-in value is higher than the buyout price, you have positive equity. This equity can then be applied as a down payment toward your next new or used vehicle. For example, if your lease buyout is $20,000 but your car is worth $22,000 as a trade-in, you have $2,000 to put toward a new Volkswagen Jetta or Tiguan. Even if you have negative equity (you owe more than the car is worth), a dealership can often roll that difference into your new financing plan, allowing you to drive away in a car that better suits your current needs. Ready to Make a Change? Ending a car lease early doesn't have to be a stressful financial burden. Whether you choose to transfer the lease, buy out the vehicle, or trade it in for something new, you have options. The key is understanding the current value of your vehicle versus what you owe. If you are ready to explore your options, the team at Speedcraft Volkswagen is here to help. We can assess your current lease situation and guide you toward the best solution for your budget and lifestyle. Visit us in Wakefield, RI, or check out our inventory online to see what you could be driving next.
