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Leasing a Car: Everything You Need to Know

When it's time to shop for a new car, many questions will follow: New or used? Sedan or SUV? Feature-filled or simple? Dealership or private seller? These are only a handful of the many questions you will need to ask yourself before making a final decision in the car-buying process. This doesn't even include all of the finance decisions to make. One, in particular, being to finance or to lease. Just as with everything in life, there are pros and cons to each. While many shoppers think buying is the ideal way to go, leasing is also a very good route too. So what does it mean to lease and car, and what are the pros and cons? To learn more, continue reading.

What is Leasing?

In many ways, purchasing (or financing) and leasing a car are similar. But there are some key differences to be aware of. When purchasing a car, the loan value is based on the entire cost of the vehicle, minus any down payment or trade-in value. When leasing a car, you are only financing the depreciation that occurs during the lease term (typically three years), plus fees. Further broken down, this means that when you lease a car, you are only paying the difference between the car's price and what it's expected to be worth at the end of the lease. So unless you put a tremendous amount of money down, or your trade-in value is high, leasing a car will provide you with a lower monthly payment than that of the monthly loan payment you'd get when purchasing.

The other main difference between financing and leasing a car is this: when you finance a vehicle, when any loan you have ends, you officially own the car. When leasing a vehicle, when the lease runs out, you can either finance the vehicle based on the remaining price of the car, or you can turn in the keys and walk away.

What are the Requirements of Leasing?

Just like when financing a car, leasing a car comes with some requirements. One is that in order to lease a car, you will need anywhere from zero to several thousand dollars up front. The more money you put down, the lower your monthly payment will be.

Another requirement when leasing a car is that you will have to maintain it. This means staying up-to-date on oil changes, tire rotations, and any manufacturer-recommended maintenance. Failure to properly maintain and document service for a leased vehicle can result in fees owed at the end of the lease.

Along with keeping a leased car in good condition, you will also be required to stay within certain mileage restrictions. Exceeding the allotted mileage during a lease will also result in penalty fees when the lease ends.

What are the Pros?

As already discussed, leasing a car has some pros, like lower monthly payments. Another is that you are given access to a continuous supply of new cars and all the latest and greatest technology and safety features.

If you like predictability, leasing a car is a good way to get it. Yes, you will still need to maintain a leased car with regular automotive services, but since most leases last three years, you will likely be covered by a new-car bumper-to-bumper warranty, which also typically last or three years. This is a good way to have a predictable total cost of ownership during the time of lease.

What are the Cons?

While leasing a car eliminates the risk of boredom because you are always able to return the car at the end of a lease, then able to opt for a different leased car, this can actually be a con for some. Instead of ever becoming a true car owner, you are really just renting a car for a few years until the lease contract comes to an end.

Another con of leasing is that if you don't keep the vehicle in excellent condition, you will be charged for it at the end of your lease. So, if keeping things in prime condition isn't your forte, leasing may not be the correct path for you.

For all your leasing needs, visit our dealership in Harrisburg, PA.

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Best Ice Cream Shops in or near Harrisburg

Now that it’s summertime, you’re probably craving a tasty ice cream treat. We know we sure are! Lucky for you, then, that you stumbled upon this comprehensive guide to the best ice cream shops in or near Harrisburg, PA. We’ll provide you with their locations, operating hours, and links to their websites. That way, you can learn more about these chilly spots and decide for yourself which one to visit. Fox Meadows Creamery Location: 2475 West Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522 Hours: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Monday to Thursday); 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Friday and Saturday) Over at Fox Meadows Creamery, their ice cream is made on-site. The milk that they use to make it comes from their nearby dairy farm. The employees who scoop it are either a part of the family or members of the community. In other words, everything is done locally, just the way it should be. Hall’s Homestyle Ice Cream Location: 861 Raccoon Valley Road, Millerstown, PA 17062 Summer Hours: 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Monday to Friday); 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Saturday); 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Sunday) According to their website, Hall’s Ice Cream is one of Central Pennsylvania’s last remaining family ice cream businesses. What does this mean for you? It means that you’ll get everything that’s associated with a family business when you stop by for a few scoops: excellent service and a premium product. The Jigger Shop Location: 202 Gettysburg Avenue, Mount Gretna, PA 17064 Hours: Open at 12:00 PM (every day) When we use the term “jigger,” we’re not talking about the South American chigoe flea. We’re also not talking about “Jigga,” Jay Z’s famous nickname. We’re talking about The Jigger Shop, one of the best ice cream parlors in the Harrisburg area. It’s been around since 1895, a.k.a., they know what they’re doing. Leo’s Homemade Ice Cream Location: 816 W. High Street, Carlisle, PA 17013 Summer Hours: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM (every day) Vanilla Fudge, Chocolate, Coffee Chocolate Chip, Rocky Road, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, Chocolate Chip, Golden Oreo Cookie, Raspberry, Vanilla, Mint Chocolate Chip, Salt Caramel, Coconut, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Caramel Cashew...the flavors go on and on and on. Rakestraw’s Ice Cream Company Location: 313 South Market Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Hours: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM (every day) Lee and Judy Seitz’s ice cream spot, Rakestraw’s Ice Cream Company, has been in operation since 1903. Obviously, though, they haven’t been at the helm for its entire run—it’s been passed down over the years. With over 30 flavors of delectable hand-dipped ice cream, you really can’t go wrong at all! Discover Other Cool Businesses, Restaurants & Bars Around Harrisburg! You know just as well as we do that you simply can’t eat ice cream all day every day…even though you might like to. With that in mind, we feature a variety of other articles on our blog. These pages cover different businesses, restaurants, and bars that are close to Harrisburg. Check ‘em out.

The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center: Telling the Army Story, One Solider at a Time

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Top 3 Reasons to Make the 2017 Nissan Sentra Your Next Sedan

It's hard to dislike a sedan. Though they are fairly simple to look at, they remain a favorite for many consumers. And why not? They are fuel efficient, offer a fair amount of space to meet the needs of most, and are equipped with just as many features and advanced safety systems as larger, more prominent vehicles. One sedan that is worthy of your consideration is Nissan's 2017 Sentra. Compact and full of strengths, here are the top three reasons to make the 2017 Sentra your next sedan. It's Safe With all of the requirements and testing that vehicles have to endure in order to be allowed on the market, it's scary that some are still as unsafe as they are. But when you invest in Nissan's 2017 Sentra, safety and protection are something you won't have to worry about. All models of the latest Sentra come with the essential safety equipment that is needed to protect you and your passengers while on the road: antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, and so on. For extra protection, there are several advanced safety systems scattered through the Sentra's 2017 lineup. Depending on the model, the Sentra will include: Rearview camera Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert Adaptive cruise control with automatic braking A car's brakes are one of its most vital safety systems, and with the 2017 Sentra, you'll be truly impressed. Check this out. Lower trim models of the Sentra are equipped with rear drum brakes, while higher trim levels come with rear disc brakes. Models with rear disc brakes have an incredible, almost unheard of stopping distance of just 113 feet. And while rear drum brakes are cheaper, they too have a better-than-average stopping distance of 118 feet. It's Spacious When you hear the word “compact” used to describe a car, you probably think of a cramped cabin and less than generous trunk space. But when you step inside the 2017 Nissan Sentra, all of these thoughts quickly vanish. The Sentra's interior is larger than would seem possible when viewed from the outside. Both front and rear seats provide excellent headroom and legroom so no matter where one is seated, comfort is easily attainable. In fact, even those of six feet will find the Sentra to be of solid space. Cargo space is generous in the Sentra, too, with a trunk that boasts 15.1 cubic feet. Featuring 60/40-split rear seat backs, cargo capacity is increased further when these seats are folded down. It's Full of Features Offered in five trim levels, the Nissan Sentra's 2017 lineup is full of features that will make your time on the road enjoyable. If you want to stick with the Sentra's base model, the S, you'll get a nice mix of simplicity and technology. It rides on 16-inch steel wheels, shines automatic headlights, and entry is keyless. Tech items include Bluetooth phone connectivity and a four-speaker sound system with CD player, USB port and auxiliary audio input. The Sentra's base S trim is a good choice, but you may be more fulfilled in the technology department when you take one step up to the SV trim. It gains: 5” central touchscreen Rearview camera NissanConnect emergency telematics system Bluetooth audio connectivity 6-speaker sound system with satellite radio 5” driver information screen It's hard not to be impressed with the Sentra's SR Turbo trim, though. With the SR Turbo, driver engagement is given a boost with sport-themed content, such as: 17” alloy wheels Sport body kit with rear spoiler Foglights Sport-tuned suspension Recalibrated steering Upgraded front brakes You can also tack on the optional Midnight Edition package, which adds 17” black wheels, black mirror caps, black spoiler, and special floor mats. To learn more about all the 2017 Nissan Sentra has to offer, visit our dealership in Harrisburg, PA.