We know that shopping for a used vehicle can be an overwhelming experience. There are many steps that can go into your shopping experience and we have some tips on how to make the experience go smoothly. You want a high-quality used vehicle that doesn’t break the bank and these steps can help with that process.
Steps to Take When Shopping for a Used Vehicle
Check Out the Vehicle History – Whether you’re shopping in person or online, doing a VIN (vehicle identification number) check will give you a history of the number of owners and whether or not it’s been in an accident. If this check raises red flags for you, it’s best to just keep looking.
Bring a Friend When Shopping – Bringing someone with you when shopping for a used vehicle is a huge benefit for making sure you don’t over-extend your budget. If you have a friend who is also a mechanic, that’s even better! A mechanic can give a potential vehicle a good once-over to make sure you’re buying a sound vehicle.
Take Your Time – Purchasing any vehicle is a big step and you shouldn’t feel rushed when going through this process. You should be comfortable with your decisions; it’s a big investment!
Go For a Test Drive and Test Everything – You can’t get a real feel for a vehicle without taking it for a test drive. Not only will you be able to see how the vehicle drives, but you can test out all the features while driving. Even if it’s cold outside, be sure to test the air conditioning. Check if the lights on the inside turn on and off. You can even check whether the seats fold smoothly!
Find the Perfect Used Vehicle at Thelen Volkswagen
If you are ready to start the used vehicle shopping experience, Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City, Michigan, is the place to go! We offer quality preowned vehicles in all makes and models, and we can work with various credit scores and budgets. Stop in today for a test drive!
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Fall weather is coming soon to Michigan and it’s the best time to ensure your Volkswagen vehicle is autumn-ready! Making the necessary adjustments to the interior and exterior will ensure that you will drive safer during the rainy weather which can make the road slippery. When you are ready to schedule your VW services, make Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City your stop! We even offer a helpful appointment scheduler on our website so you can request which services you need and what day and time work for you. We will then contact you and confirm your appointment – it’s just that easy!
Fall Services for Your Volkswagen Vehicle
Inspect Your Tires – Your tires are important when handling rainy road conditions so they should be filled to the proper air pressure. It is also the perfect time to check your tread – lack of tread is a safety hazard and means your tires need to be replaced well before the snowy weather of winter comes. Thelen VW can help you find the perfect all-season or winter tires for your VW.
Replace Those Windshield Wiper Blades – Fall weather brings rain and sometimes even snow. If your windshield wipers can’t keep up with you spraying and wiping off bugs, they won’t keep up with moisture. A good set of wiper blades will leave your windshield streak-free.
Test Your Battery – Another important part of your vehicle is your battery. If you notice your headlights flickering when turning the key in the ignition, or a sulfurous smell, it is time to test your battery and see if it’s time to replace it. You don’t want to be stuck in cold weather with a dead battery.
Top Up On Your Fluids – The various fluids in your vehicle perform many vital functions. Brake fluid, engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and automatic transmission fluids are just a few of these important fluids. The change of the seasons is the perfect time for replacing or checking your current fluid levels and topping up!
Before the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan launches later this year, Volkswagen is set to release a special edition! Based on the 2024 Tiguan SE trim level, the Wolfsburg Edition is a special model that will boast both unique detail design and content with an estimated MSRP of $30,995 for a FWD and $32,495 for 4Motion® AWD. If you are interested in ordering this special edition of Tiguan, contact Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City, Michigan, to start the process today.
Exterior Features of the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Wolfsburg Edition
The eye-catching Wolfsburg Edition of the Tiguan will be available in four different exterior colors – Atlantic Blue, Deep Black Pearl, Platinum Grey, and Pure White. Other exterior features to set it apart include 18-inch wheels with five spokes (as opposed to the standard ten-spoke), Wolfsburg badging in black and silver, and silver mirror caps and front bumper accents. Sharp black window surrounds pair incredibly with chrome door and bumper inserts. Rain-sensing windshield wipers with heated washer nozzles make this the perfect SUV for winter.
Interior Features of the Wolfsburg Edition
The interior of the Wolfsburg Edition is just as stylish and impressive as the exterior. All of this edition models will be equipped with Titan Black leatherette interior coloring with a fun Snap Orange stitching contrast. Unique decor comes in the form of illuminated scuff plates and customizable 30-color LED ambient lighting. Coming standard in this model will be features like push-button start and keyless entry, a power tailgate, auto-dimming mirrors, Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, and 8-inch Composition Media infotainment with wireless App-Connect, and SiriusXM®.
Order Your 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Wolfsburg Edition at Thelen Volkswagen
Experience the luxury of the VW Tiguan Wolfsburg Edition when you order with us today. Our amazing staff at Thelen Volkswagen in Michigan can answer any questions you may have and assist you in ordering! Stop by our Mid-Michigan dealership, convenient for more information today!
Are you looking for an SUV with plenty of space for the whole family and their gear plus lots of great features to make the drive even smoother? Look no further than Volkswagen and its impressive options for spacious three-row seating. From the Tiguan to the Atlas, you will surely find what you are looking for in terms of style, features, and fuel economy. Let our friendly sales staff at Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City, Michigan, assist you in finding the best option for your family while sticking to your budget!
2024 Volkswagen Three-Row Options Available at Thelen VW
2024 Volkswagen Atlas – our dealership currently has three options available – SEL, Peak Edition SE w/ Technology, and the SE w/Technology. Did you know that the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas boasts best-in-class 3rd-row leg space? If you don’t have the third row in use, it also offers around 96.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the third-row seats folded down. This affordable SUV is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick! With features like Active Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane-Keep Assist, you can have peace of mind that your whole family will stay safe!
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan – a stylish SUV with the option for a third row of seating. We have one available with the third row- a Tiguan 2.0T SE. If you are looking for a comfortable SUV in a more compact size, the Tiguan is a great option! It’s fun to drive with 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD), a turbocharged engine (getting an EP estimated 22 MPG city/29 MPG highway fuel economy), and its drive mode selector. Don’t forget the fun features like a Wifi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and remote start.
Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City, Michigan, will be closed on Thursday, July 4th, for our staff to enjoy a day off with friends and family! We hope you have a fun and safe holiday. We will re-open on Friday, July 5th, for all your Volkswagen needs.
Stop by today and check out our impressive selection of quality new VW and gently pre-owned vehicles. You are sure to find the perfect vehicle to elevate each of your drives, including your July Fourth adventures!
It isn’t uncommon to have less-than-perfect credit when trying to finance a vehicle, and that is ok! There are dealerships that can assist you with qualifying for a car loan with challenged credit, and Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City, Michigan is one of them. We know how important it is for your day-to-day life to have a quality vehicle to get you from place to place. Plus, making on-time payments with a vehicle loan can help boost your credit score over time! Here are some tips and tricks for going through the vehicle purchasing process with less than stellar credit.
Check Your Credit Score
First and foremost, check out your current credit score. It is a great idea for you to know your score so you can set realistic expectations for your vehicle buying experience. If you have a low or no credit score, an auto lender will likely charge a higher interest rate on the loan or require a larger down payment to cover some risk. Checking your credit can also allow you to see if you have any current missed payments you can rectify. Many lenders go off your FICO score – between 300-579 is usually considered poor, 580-669 fair, 670-739 is good, and 740+ is very good.
Be Able to Show You Can Afford a Vehicle Loan
When you are ready to shop around for a vehicle, be sure to think about your budget. So, before you even set foot into a dealership, be sure to have a realistic vehicle payment amount in mind! Our convenient Payment Calculator can help you estimate your vehicle buying power. Lenders will look at your average monthly income to see what size vehicle payment you can afford on top of your other current payment obligations. When it comes time to shop, proving the stability of your income is very important. Bringing in your paystubs and proof of address will help a lender assess the risks you pose as a buyer.
Be Flexible With Your Vehicle Choice
You might have your heart set on a specific type of vehicle with an exciting variety of features. However, be willing to look at other options that might fit better into your budget. Being able to comfortably afford the vehicle you choose is essential both during the financing stage and for rebuilding strong credit. At Thelen Volkwagen, we have a wide selection of gently preowned vehicles, so you are sure to find one that fits your financing needs while also providing a car, truck or SUV you will be proud to drive around the Great Lakes Bay Region!
Thelen Volkswagen Can Help You Find the Best Vehicle
No matter what your credit score looks like, our friendly staff at Thelen VW in Bay City, Michigan will assist you in finding the best car, truck, crossover, or SUV to fit your budget and lifestyle. If you are ready to start the vehicle shopping process, you can start with a pre-approval on our website. Or stop by our dealership to sit down with one of our amazing staff members and discuss your vehicle buying needs.
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Preparing Your Vehicle for Trade-In is Easy with Tips from Thelen VW
Looking to get into a fantastic new Volkswagen and want to trade in your current vehicle to help pay for your new everyday cruiser? Thelen VW wants to share five helpful tips for maximizing the value of your trade. When you visit our Bay City dealership to get the process started, these tips will help you get the most money possible so that you can more confidently step into a quality Volkswagen vehicle like the Jetta or the Atlas. See why we are a preferred mid-Michigan destination for new Volkswagen vehicle shopping with our informative and hassle-free purchasing experience.
Five Ways to Improve Your Vehicle’s Trade-In Value
Gather All Important Documentation –
The more important documentation about your vehicle you have, the more confident a prospective buyer will be when considering your vehicle. This includes vital pieces such as the title and the owner’s manual if you have it. We also recommend providing any service documentation so that we can provide our potential customers with a detailed report of the vehicle’s service history.
Have Your Vehicle Serviced Before You Arrive –
Speaking of servicing, we recommend having your vehicle thoroughly inspected and serviced before you bring it in for its trade-in. This includes having fluids replaced and topped off, as well as remedying any known issues that your vehicle might have. The less our Service Center staff has to do to prepare your vehicle for resale, the more we can offer you at trade-in.
Have Your Vehicle’s Exterior Cleaned & Refreshed –
A clean vehicle free of dents, scratches, and other blemishes is one that is much easier to sell. If you spend time cleaning and repairing any blemishes that your current car, truck, or SUV has, we can offer you more value for your trade as it means we don’t have to spend extra time and financial resources to do the same. If you have a blemish-free vehicle, then proper exterior care is a simple process you can do yourself!
Thoroughly Clear Out Your Interior & Remove Personalized Touches –
Just like the outside of your vehicle, the interior should have a complete cleanout done. This means trash, dirt, and other non-essential items to the original vehicle should be removed before you bring it in for your trade. We highly recommend having a professional do a detailed refresh to get everywhere properly. If you have any personalized elements such as seat covers, make sure those are removed as well before you arrive.
Do a Preliminary Trade Assessment –
Our website has a trade-in tool available for you to use if you want a preliminary evaluation of your vehicle. We make it easy to use and will give you a basic idea of what you can expect from your vehicle.
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Let Thelen VW Perform Tire Rotation & Balancing This Year
Among the various maintenance procedures you should have done on your Volkswagen, tire rotation & balancing are often overlooked. However, they are vital to the longevity of not only your tires but other core components of your family cruiser. Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City, MI, is here to explain why these services are integral to a well-planned maintenance program. Not only are we happy to explain why they are so important, but our Service Center technicians are ready to provide these procedures at our convenient Central Michigan dealership. Do you need a new set of tires before your summer adventures? Visit our online Tire Store to find a quality set that you can confidently ride across mid-Michigan.
The Importance of Tire Rotation & Balance
Tire Rotation – As you drive around the Great Lakes Bay Region, each of your tires is subjected to varying levels of force. Over time, this causes drastically uneven tire wear that can affect everything from handling to the overall health of your tires. This can result in needing to replace your current set much quicker than usual. By rotating tires, our team will place tires that are more worn on the wheels that show less overall wear and vice-versa. By doing this every 5,000 or so miles, you can keep your current set of tires as evenly worn as possible.
Tire Balancing – Another aspect of uneven force is that your wheel bearings are also subjected to these fluctuations. Tire balancing is when our technicians place special weights in the wheel wells so that the distribution is as even as possible. This not only helps keep your tires more evenly worn, but it also helps the long-term health of your chassis by preventing damaging vibrations. Our Service Center staff will be happy to answer any additional questions you have about adding tire balancing to your routine VW maintenance appointment.
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Prepare Your Volkswagen for Late Spring & Throughout Summer
The Thelen VW Service Center in Bay City, MI, wants you to be ready for the oncoming temperature increase and more demanding driving conditions that your family cruiser will be subjected to as we progress into 2024. This transitional period of the year as we reach the end of spring and are headed into summer is an excellent time to get your vehicle prepared for the upcoming challenges. Let our knowledgeable mid-Michigan technicians take the time to thoroughly work on your vehicle to make sure it is ready to provide that superior everyday driving experience you love. Do you have a qualifying vehicle that falls under the VW Carefree Maintenance program? You can get manufacturer-recommended work done at no extra cost to you! Call our Service Center today at 989-246-8793 to schedule an appointment and discover if your vehicle qualifies!
Recommended Services to Consider for the Upcoming Heat
Climate Control System Maintenance – Keeping yourself and your family cooled off as summer hits mid-Michigan is paramount to providing the comfortable and entertaining adventuring you plan on experiencing this year. Specific services that we can provide to help bolster your climate control system this summer include recharging your refrigerant levels and performing a check for leaks. We also recommend having the cabin air filter replaced to help improve airflow through the system for more efficient operation.
Battery Test and/or Replacement – With the increased demand for your battery through the vehicle’s climate control system and other interior amenities, the battery in your Volkswagen needs to be ready to handle it without worrying about failure. Therefore, we encourage you to have it tested for charge and overall performance. However, we are also eager to provide a replacement immediately if you have been driving on the same battery for a long time or notice signs of damage such as corrosion or visible cracking.
Fluid Changes & Fill-ups – From oil to coolant, having all your vital vehicle fluids changed or otherwise topped off will ensure you have peak functionality as you make your way through the hottest part of the year. This is especially true if you haven’t had these serviced in a long time, or perhaps have recently had a corresponding light appear on your dashboard to signal that the change is needed. You can trust that the fluids we use in our services are recommended by Volkswagen for peak performance retention and part longevity.
If you have had the chance to experience the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, it will be no surprise that this innovative and stylish SUV is winning awards! The latest honor is being named to the Wards 10 Best Interiors and UX List. For this list, Wards evaluates vehicles that are new or significantly redesigned for the model year.
The Atlas Cross Sport was noticed for it’s sleek and uncluttered interior that is both functional and comfortable, while also being upscale. The roomy interior with its premium materials gives both driver and passengers an excellent driving experience. The 12-inch infotainment display makes it easy to stay in command of a variety of systems such as entertaintment and climate control. The driver will appreciate the VW Digital Cockpit System that has a fully digital instrument cluster.
Judges also noted the comprehensive IQ DRIVE technology provides an enhanced driver experience. This advanced driver assistance system with hands-on semi-automated capability makes the drive more enjoyable, from daily commutes to long road trips. Drivers will appreciate the Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering while cruising the highway. Plus, city driving is elevated with the Front Assist which features Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection.
Visit Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City, Michigan to learn more about the 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport. Take a test drive and experience for yourself all the reasons Wards named it to their 10 Best Interiors / UX List!
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