Top 5 Cars for 2024
We looked at what our customers bought, test drove twice and came back to thank us for. Five models stood out.
1. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. 39 mpg combined, all-wheel drive and Toyota's reputation for reaching 200,000 miles without drama. The XSE trim adds a two-tone roof and a firmer ride that makes it more fun than it has any right to be.
2. BMW X5. The inline-six is smooth and quick, the cabin is one of the best in its class, and there is room for a family of five and their bikes.
3. Tesla Model Y. 310 miles of range, a flat floor and the easiest fast-charging network in the country. Most owners tell us they have not been to a gas station since.
4. Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The small luxury sedan done properly: quiet, beautifully finished and efficient on the highway.
5. Porsche 911. Our best seller three years running, and the one car on this list people buy with their heart. Drive one before you decide it is not for you.
Electric Cars: The Future of Driving
Range is the first question everyone asks, and the answer is usually: more than you need. The average American drives about 37 miles a day. A Model Y Long Range covers 310 miles on a charge, a BMW i4 about 300, and even a pre-owned Ioniq 5 more than 250.
Most charging happens at home. A Level 2 wallbox adds around 30 miles of range an hour, so the car is full every morning. We arrange the electrician survey and installation when you buy, and federal and New York State incentives can cover part of the cost.
On the road, DC fast chargers take a modern EV from 10 to 80 percent in 18 to 35 minutes: a coffee stop.
Running costs are where EVs win. Charging at home costs roughly a third of gas per mile, there are no oil changes, and regenerative braking means brake pads last far longer.
The best way to decide is to live with one for a day. Ask us about an extended EV test drive.
How to Choose the Right SUV
Start with seats, not size. If you carry more than five people once a month, you need a third row (an Audi Q7 rather than a BMW X5). If you rarely do, a two-row SUV gives you a bigger trunk and a nicer drive.
Then think about what you tow or carry. Bikes, a small boat or a trailer? Check the tow rating and whether a hitch is factory-fitted. A roof box needs roof rails.
Decide on the drivetrain. All-wheel drive is worth it for New York winters and ski weekends; front-wheel drive saves money and fuel if you stay in the city.
Choose the powertrain for your week. Mostly short trips and somewhere to charge: an electric SUV like the Model Y. Long highway runs: a hybrid like the RAV4, or a smooth six-cylinder.
Finally, set the budget by the monthly payment you are comfortable with, including insurance. Our finance team can show you the numbers for three cars side by side before you test drive any of them.
Car Finance Explained: APR, Terms and Down Payments
APR is the yearly cost of borrowing, including fees. On a $40,000 loan over 60 months, the difference between 2.9% and 6.9% APR is about $4,300 in interest, so it is worth getting pre-approved before you choose a car.
The term is how long you pay. Longer terms lower the monthly payment but raise the total interest. We usually recommend 48 to 60 months, and 72 only when the car will stay with you well beyond that.
The down payment reduces what you borrow. Ten to twenty percent keeps you from owing more than the car is worth in the first years. Your trade-in counts as down payment, and we settle any loan on it for you.
Leasing suits drivers who like a new car every three years and drive under 12,000 miles a year: payments are lower, but you do not own the car at the end.
Pre-approval with us uses a soft credit check, so it does not affect your score.
The Service Schedule That Keeps Your Car Healthy
Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles: synthetic oil and filter, a tire rotation and a quick safety check of lights, wipers and fluids. Rotating tires evens out wear and can add 10,000 miles to a set.
Every 15,000 miles: cabin and engine air filters, a brake inspection and a battery test. Brake pads usually last 30,000 to 60,000 miles; we measure them and tell you how much is left rather than replacing them early.
Every 30,000 miles: brake fluid, a full check of suspension and steering, and on many cars the spark plugs or transmission fluid. Your owner's manual has the exact intervals, and we follow the manufacturer's schedule so your warranty stays valid.
Electric cars need less: tire rotations, a cabin filter, brake fluid every two years and a coolant check for the battery.
Tread under 4/32 of an inch means it is time for new tires, especially before winter. Book any of these online and we will text you when your car is ready.