There are plenty of places to buy a used car on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. So why Chuck Ryan Cars?

We could tell you about our awards. We could tell you we've been in business for 51 years. We could tell you we're picky about the vehicles we sell. All of that is true.

But we think the best answer is probably this:

People come back.

We've Sold Cars to Generations of the Same Families

Repeat customers make up a large part of our business. Some families have been buying vehicles from Chuck Ryan Cars for so long that we've sold to their great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and now their kids.

Think about that for a second.

Selling someone a car once is great. Having them trust you enough to come back for the next one means more. Having them send their children and grandchildren to you means everything.

That's why you'll hear us talk about the CRC family.

It's not something a marketing company came up with. After 51 years in the same community, that's genuinely how we think about our customers.

We're Picky About the Cars We Buy

You'll hear just about every used-car dealership say they sell quality vehicles. Here's what that means at CRC.

We've spent decades building relationships with wholesalers and vehicle suppliers we trust. Some of them have been doing business with us for 10, 15 years or longer. We don't simply buy whatever is available. We're very selective about who we buy from and what we put on our lot.

As we've been saying around here for years:

We buy the quality cars you're going to love.

We also take trade-ins, which allows us to offer vehicles at different price points. Not everybody shopping for a car has the same budget, and we think people deserve options. Before a vehicle is sold, we do our best to address the things that need attention and get it ready for its next owner. We also change the oil in every vehicle before it leaves our lot.

You drive off the lot and hear a noise? A three weeks later a taillight goes out? Bring it back and let us take a look. We'll do everything we can to take care of you.

Looking for Something Specific? Ask Us

Don't see what you want on our lot? Tell us what you're looking for. We have access to a large network of wholesalers and vehicle sources, so if you're looking for a particular make, model or even trim package, there's a good chance we can help you find it. Whether you're looking for affordable transportation or have the budget for something a little nicer, ask us before you give up on finding it.

We Really Do Try to Find a Way to Help

Chuck Ryan Cars is a Buy Here Pay Here dealership in Long Beach, MS, but in-house financing isn't the only option we can explore. We can finance customers directly through CRC, and we can also work with banks and other lenders when that's a better fit.

Bad credit? No credit? Been through a divorce, job loss or another rough patch?

Your credit score doesn't tell us your whole story. We can't promise that every deal will work. We have to make sure the down payment and payments are affordable for the customer and workable for us, too.

But we can promise this:

We'll try.

Sometimes there are options customers don't even know to ask about.

We Offer a Military Discount

Chuck Ryan Cars offers $350 off for current and former members of the military and military spouses. Just bring proof of current or former military service or proof that you're a military spouse.

It’s one small way we can say thank you to the people who have served and the families who have supported them.

We Don't Want You Paying on Your Car Forever

Most of our in-house loans run approximately 18 months to three years, with about two years being typical. That's a lot shorter than the five- or six-year loans you may see elsewhere. The longer you're financing a vehicle, the more interest you can end up paying over the life of the loan. We'd rather see you pay the car off, get the title in your hand and own it outright.

A larger down payment reduces how much you have to finance, and a shorter loan can help you get there sooner. There is also no penalty for paying off a CRC in-house loan early. If you can pay it off sooner, we'll be happy for you.

And if you use Auto-Pay, there's another benefit. Enroll in Auto-Pay and stay enrolled for the life of your CRC loan, and we'll take $300 off your final payment.

And when you're ready, the equity you've built in that vehicle may help you trade up to something even better. A lot of customers start with the vehicle that fits their budget today, then use the equity they've built to move into a newer or nicer vehicle later. You can keep doing that until you're driving the car you really want.

Quick and Easy Isn't Just Something We Put on a Sign

Nobody wants to spend five hours sitting in a car dealership. Once you've chosen your vehicle, we can typically complete the purchase process and have you out the door in about 30 minutes. We've been saying Quick and Easy for years.

We mean it.

Buying the Car Isn't the End of the Relationship

This may be the biggest difference. Once you drive off the lot, you're still our customer. If you're having trouble making a payment, call us.

Lost your job? Something unexpected happened? You're going to be late? Call us and tell us what's going on. Be honest with us. Keep us updated.

We understand that life happens. Communication goes a very long way at CRC, and we'd much rather have a customer talk to us when there's a problem than disappear because they're afraid of making the call.

We're Still Here When Your Vehicle Needs Repairs

Every vehicle we sell comes with a FREE 30-day/1,000-mile warranty. If something goes wrong during that period, call us and let us see what we can do to help.

The warranty ends. The relationship doesn't.

When possible, we can help our customers get parts and labor at our cost when their vehicle needs repairs.

More Than 50 Years on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Chuck Ryan Cars has been part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast for 51 years. Since 2017, we've been voted Best Pre-Owned Car Dealership eight times through the Sun Herald and WXXV Viewer's Choice Awards. CRC was also voted WXXV Viewer's Choice Best Place to Work. We're incredibly proud of those awards. But if you ask us what matters most, it's probably not a plaque.

It's the customer who bought a car from us years ago and comes back for another one.

It's the mom who sends her son to us because she trusts us to take care of him.

It's realizing we've now sold vehicles to several generations of the same family.

That's the CRC family. And we'd be happy to have you join it.

The vehicle that worked perfectly for you a few years ago may not be the best fit today. Families grow, schedules get busier, hobbies change, and suddenly the vehicle you loved feels a whole lot smaller. When you're shopping for your next vehicle, don't just think about what looks good on the lot. Think about how your family actually uses a vehicle every day.

Start With the People Riding With You

How many people are usually in your vehicle? And just as important, how much stuff comes with them? Car seats, backpacks, sports equipment, strollers, groceries, luggage, and everything else that follows a family around can change what "enough room" really means.

When you're looking at a vehicle, check:

• Passenger and rear-seat space

• How easy it is to get in and out

• Room for car seats, if you use them

• Cargo space with the seats both up and folded

• Whether everyone will still be comfortable on longer trips

Don't just look. Sit in it. Open everything. Fold the seats down. It's much easier to discover that something doesn't work for your family before you take it home.

Think About How You Spend Your Time

Your daily routine can tell you a lot about what kind of vehicle makes sense. If most of your driving is commuting around Long Beach and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, fuel economy may matter more to you. If you're hauling kids and sports equipment several nights a week, passenger and cargo space may move to the top of the list. If you regularly tow, haul, or work out of your vehicle, a truck or SUV may make more sense. There isn't one "best" type of vehicle. The best choice is the one that fits the way you actually live.

Consider Safety Features That Matter to You

Today's vehicles can offer everything from backup cameras and blind-spot monitoring to lane-departure warnings and automatic emergency braking. Features vary by year, make, model, and trim, especially when you're shopping for a pre-owned vehicle. Decide which features are most important to you and ask about them while you're comparing vehicles.

Don't Forget About the Budget

Finding the right family vehicle isn't just about finding enough seats. Think about the whole cost of owning it, including the payment, insurance, fuel or charging costs, maintenance, and repairs. A vehicle isn't a great fit for your family if the payment leaves your budget stretched every month. If you're considering an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, think about where you'll charge it, how far you typically drive, and how the overall costs compare with a gas-powered vehicle. The purchase price is only one part of deciding whether a vehicle makes sense for your family. At Chuck Ryan Cars, we'll work with you to find the right vehicle and a payment that fits your budget.

Think a Few Years Ahead

You don't need to predict your family's entire future, but it helps to look a little beyond today. Will you need another car seat soon? Is a teenager going to start driving? Are your kids about to trade tiny backpacks for giant sports bags? Do you expect your commute or work needs to change? A little planning now may keep you from outgrowing your next vehicle sooner than expected.

You can browse our available inventory before you visit to see what we currently have at Chuck Ryan Cars in Long Beach. Don't see exactly what you're looking for? If we don't have the right vehicle on our lot, we can probably help you find it. We've been helping Gulf Coast families find vehicles for generations, and whether you're looking for more room, a different payment, a specific vehicle, or simply something that fits your life better, come see us and we'll help you find the right fit.

Bad credit? No credit? We can help. And we'll keep it Quick and Easy.

Two vehicles can have almost the same horsepower on paper and feel completely different when you drive them. One may feel quick pulling away from a red light. Another may feel stronger merging onto I-10. A truck may have plenty of power for hauling or towing without feeling particularly fast at all.

That's because horsepower is only one piece of the puzzle.

If you're shopping for a used vehicle, especially if you're comparing different cars, trucks or SUVs, here are a few things that matter just as much as the horsepower number.

Horsepower Tells You Something, Just Not Everything

Horsepower is basically a measure of how much work an engine can do over time. It's useful information, particularly when you're comparing similar vehicles. But a vehicle isn't just an engine. Its weight, torque, transmission and even how the manufacturer designed it to deliver that power can change the way it feels from behind the wheel.

That's why two vehicles with similar horsepower numbers may drive nothing alike.

Vehicle Weight Makes a Big Difference

Think about putting the same engine in two very different vehicles. If one is a small sedan and the other is a much heavier SUV, that engine has a lot more weight to move in the SUV. So don't assume a higher horsepower number automatically means a vehicle will feel faster or more powerful.

How much vehicle that engine has to move matters, too.

And sometimes a smaller, lighter vehicle with less horsepower can feel surprisingly quick.

Torque Is Part of What You Feel

Horsepower gets most of the attention, but torque is another part of the equation. Without turning this into an engineering class, torque has a lot to do with the pulling force you feel when a vehicle gets moving. That's especially important with trucks and SUVs that may be used for towing or hauling, but you can feel the difference in everyday driving, too.

A vehicle doesn't need a giant horsepower number to feel strong when you press the gas.

The Transmission Changes How the Power Feels

The transmission is another reason numbers on a spec sheet don't tell the whole story. Different transmissions deliver power differently. Gear ratios, shift timing and the number of gears can all affect acceleration and how responsive a vehicle feels.

And when you're buying used, there's something even more important than what kind of transmission it has:

How is this particular one behaving? Does it shift smoothly? Does it hesitate? Does anything feel strange when you accelerate?

Those things matter a whole lot more than bragging rights on a horsepower number.

What Do You Actually Need the Vehicle to Do?

This may be the most important question. If you're mostly driving around Long Beach and Gulfport, taking the kids to school and commuting to work, you probably don't need the same thing as someone regularly towing a boat or hauling equipment.

Think about how you actually drive.

Do you spend a lot of time on I-10? Do you regularly carry several passengers? Are you towing something? Do you need cargo room? Are fuel costs more important to you than acceleration?

The best vehicle isn't necessarily the one with the most power. It's the one that does what you need it to do.

This Is Why the Test Drive Matters

You can compare horsepower, torque and every other specification online before you ever leave the house.

But eventually, you need to drive the vehicle. Pay attention to how it feels pulling away from a stop. Get it up to normal driving speed. See how comfortable you are merging into traffic. Notice how the transmission shifts and whether the engine feels smooth.

And don't forget everything that has nothing to do with horsepower. Can you see well out of it? Is it comfortable? Can everybody fit? Is there enough cargo space? Do you actually enjoy driving it?

A vehicle can win the numbers game and still be the wrong vehicle for you.

Don't Buy a Number. Buy the Right Vehicle.

We're not saying horsepower doesn't matter. We're saying don't choose a vehicle because one number on a spec sheet looks impressive.

Drive it. See how it feels. Think about how you'll actually use it.

And if you're comparing two vehicles at Chuck Ryan Cars, ask us what we think. After more than 51 years of buying, selling and driving used vehicles, we'd rather help you choose the vehicle that fits your budget, your needs and your life than the one that wins on paper.

That's part of keeping car buying Quick and Easy.

You know your vehicle better than you think.

You may not know what every part under the hood does, but you know what your car normally sounds and feels like. So when it suddenly starts squealing, grinding, clicking or making a noise that definitely wasn’t there yesterday, pay attention. Not every strange sound means an expensive repair is coming. But ignoring a new noise can sometimes turn a small problem into a much bigger one.

Here are a few sounds you shouldn’t ignore.

Squealing or Grinding When You Brake

A high-pitched squeal when you brake can be a sign that your brake pads are wearing down. Grinding can mean the pads are badly worn and other parts of the braking system may be getting damaged.

Brakes are one of those things you don’t want to put off. If your brakes start making a new noise, your brake pedal feels different, or the vehicle shakes or pulls when you stop, have it checked.

Clicking When You Turn

A repeated clicking or popping sound while turning can sometimes point to a problem with a CV joint or another part of the steering or suspension system. The important thing isn't diagnosing it yourself. It's noticing when the sound happens. Does it happen only when you turn? Only at low speeds? Is it louder when turning in one direction?

Those details can make it much easier for a mechanic to figure out what's going on.

Humming, Roaring or Growling That Gets Louder With Speed

If you hear a humming, roaring or growling noise that changes as the vehicle speeds up, don't ignore it. There are several possible causes, including tire problems or a worn wheel bearing. Some are relatively simple to fix. Others can become safety issues if they're allowed to get worse.

If a noise changes with your speed, it's worth having someone check it out.

Any Unusual Sound From the Engine

This is one where you don't want to guess.

An engine can make unusual noises for a number of reasons, and some are much more serious than others. Knocking, tapping, ticking, rattling or any sound coming from the engine that doesn't seem normal should be checked out.

Don't wait for the sound to get louder or for a warning light to come on. If something doesn't sound right, have it checked.

Squealing From Under the Hood

A squealing sound from under the hood may be related to a belt, pulley or another moving part. Sometimes it happens only when you first start the vehicle. Sometimes it changes when you accelerate or turn on the air conditioner.

Again, you don't have to figure out which part is making the noise. Just pay attention to when it happens and what you're doing when you hear it.

Clunking Over Bumps

If you start hearing clunks or knocks when you go over bumps, something in the suspension or steering system may be worn or loose. You may also notice the vehicle riding differently, bouncing more than usual, pulling to one side or feeling less stable.

A clunk isn't automatically a disaster. But it's also not something I'd turn the radio up to fix.

A New Rattle

Rattles can be maddening because they can come from almost anywhere. Sometimes it's something harmless, like a loose piece of trim. Other times it can be something underneath the vehicle, in the exhaust system or under the hood.

If you suddenly hear a new rattle, especially one that gets louder or changes with speed or acceleration, it's worth figuring out where it's coming from.

Your Car Doesn't Have to Sound Terrible to Have a Problem

Sometimes the first sign of trouble isn't a dramatic grinding or knocking noise. It might be a new vibration. A different smell. A warning light. The steering feels different. The car takes longer to start. Something just feels...off.

Don't ignore a change simply because the vehicle is still running. Catching a problem early can sometimes mean repairing one part instead of waiting until that problem damages something else.

Bought Your Vehicle From CRC? Ask Us.

If you bought your vehicle from Chuck Ryan Cars and it starts making a noise you don't recognize, give us a call or bring it by. You don't have to know whether it's a wheel bearing, CV joint, belt or something else. That's our job to help you figure out.

And if your vehicle is outside its warranty period, don't assume you're completely on your own. Talk to us. We'll see what we can do to help you figure out the problem and the best way to get it repaired.

At Chuck Ryan Cars, we want to take care of our customers before and after the sale. Sometimes your car is trying to tell you something.

The trick is listening before it starts yelling.

We finance people with credit problems every day, so we see firsthand what bad credit can cost. And here's something you might not expect to hear from a Buy Here Pay Here dealership: we want you to have good credit. Really good credit, if you can.

Good credit gives you choices. It can mean lower interest rates, lower payments and a lot less money spent borrowing over your lifetime. Bad credit doesn't mean you're irresponsible or that you've done something terrible. Divorce happens. People lose jobs. Medical bills happen. Sometimes life just gets expensive.

But if you're young and haven't damaged your credit yet, protect it. Future you will be very glad you did.

The Interest Rate Matters More Than You Think

Here's where credit gets expensive. Two people can buy the same vehicle, finance the same amount and end up paying very different amounts simply because they qualify for different interest rates. A higher interest rate doesn't just mean a higher payment. It can mean thousands of dollars more over the life of a loan.

And it isn't just car loans.

Your credit can affect what you pay when you borrow money for a house, a vehicle or other major purchases. Over a lifetime, the difference between borrowing with good credit and borrowing with bad credit can add up to tens of thousands of dollars.

That's why protecting your credit before you need it matters.

Start With the Boring Stuff

Building good credit isn't particularly exciting.

A lot of it comes down to doing a few simple things consistently:

• Pay your bills on time.

• Don't max out your credit cards.

• Keep an eye on your credit reports and dispute errors you find.

• Don't borrow more than you can realistically afford.

• If you use credit cards, understand what interest you're paying and how carrying a balance affects what things actually cost you.

These aren't complicated financial strategies. They're habits. And the earlier you build them, the better.

Make On-Time Payments Easier

One of the easiest ways to avoid accidentally missing a payment is to use automatic payments when they're available. At Chuck Ryan Cars, there's another reason to use Auto-Pay: enroll in Auto-Pay and stay enrolled for the life of your loan, and we'll take $300 off your final payment. You don't have to remember to make your CRC payment each time, and there's a $300 reward waiting for you at the finish line.

Shopping for a Loan Doesn't Mean You Have to Take the First Offer

If you're financing a vehicle, compare your options. Talk to your bank or credit union. Ask about the interest rate, loan length and total amount you'll pay, not just the monthly payment. And don't be afraid to ask more than one lender.

Credit-scoring models generally recognize that people shop around for major loans like auto loans. Multiple auto-loan inquiries made within a relatively short shopping period may be treated as a single inquiry for scoring purposes, depending on the credit-scoring model being used.

The important part is to do your rate shopping within a relatively short period instead of spreading applications out over months.

Don't Shop by Payment Alone

A low monthly payment can look great until you realize you're going to be making it for five, six or seven years.

Always ask:

• How much am I financing?

• What's my interest rate?

• How long is the loan?

• How much am I putting down?

• How much will I pay in total?

At Chuck Ryan Cars, our in-house loans are typically structured for about two to three years. That can mean a higher down payment than some longer-term financing options because you're financing less money over a shorter period. But it also means you're working toward owning the vehicle outright sooner instead of stretching the debt out for years.

Our goal is to put the title in your hand, not keep you making car payments forever.

What If Your Credit Is Already Bad?

Then you start where you are. Bad credit doesn't have to be permanent, and it doesn't tell us your whole story. We've worked with people who went through divorces, lost jobs, lost spouses or simply hit a rough stretch. CRC doesn't base the financing decision on the credit score alone. We still look at your credit history along with things like income, employment stability, how long you've lived in your home and your down payment. What matters is finding a financing option you can actually afford. Depending on your situation, that might mean financing directly through us. It might mean working with a bank or another lender. Our goal is to help you figure out what options are available.

CRC doesn't currently report monthly payment history directly to the credit bureaus. But if you've built a strong payment history with us, we're happy to provide a letter on company letterhead documenting that history that you can take to a bank or other lender.

And if your credit improves enough that a bank can give you better financing someday?

We'll cheer you on.

And we hope you'll still come see us. We have long-standing relationships with local banks, and we can help you explore bank financing and contact lenders on your behalf. Better credit gives you more options. We want you to have them, whether you finance directly through us or through a bank.

We want you to succeed, and we'd still like to earn your business when you do.

Learn It Before You Need It

You don't need to become a financial expert. You just need to understand the basics well enough to ask good questions and recognize when something doesn't make sense. If you're 18, 20 or 22 and just starting to build credit, learn how it works now. If you're older and your credit has taken some hits, start rebuilding from where you are. Good credit gives you options. And options can save you a lot of money.

At Chuck Ryan Cars, we'll work with you whether your credit is excellent, terrible or somewhere in between. But we'd much rather help you build and protect good credit than profit from you having bad credit.

Bad credit? No credit? We can help. But good credit? We want that for you, too.

Buying a car shouldn't take all day.

At Chuck Ryan Cars in Long Beach, MS, we try to make buying and financing a used car Quick and Easy. Having the right documents with you can make the process even faster.

Here's what you'll want to bring.

Bring a Photo ID

You do not need a driver's license to purchase a vehicle from Chuck Ryan Cars, but you will need a valid photo ID. If you don't have a driver's license, talk to us. Depending on your situation, we may still be able to help you purchase and finance a vehicle.

Bring Proof of Income

For our in-house Buy Here Pay Here financing, we're much more interested in whether you can afford the vehicle than whether you have a perfect credit score.

You'll need to show that you have reliable income. Proof of income may include:

• Recent pay stubs

• A letter from your employer

• A benefit or award letter showing recurring income

You don't necessarily have to be traditionally employed. Other reliable sources of income may qualify.

Bring Proof of Residence

We'll also need proof of your current residence.

Proof of residence can be a mortgage statement, utility bill, etc. If you're not sure whether the document you have will work, give us a call before coming in. We'd much rather answer the question ahead of time than have you make an extra trip.

Trading In a Vehicle? Bring Your Information

If you're trading in a vehicle, bring the title if you own it outright. If you still owe money on your trade, bring your current loan or payoff information so we can determine what is still owed.

You'll Need Coverage Before You Leave

Before you leave with a financed vehicle, you'll need to make sure you have the appropriate coverage in place. You're welcome to use your own insurance company. If you already have an insurer, you can call them from the dealership and add your new vehicle before you leave.

Don't already have insurance? Shop around. A quick online search for car insurance quotes will bring up comparison tools that let you check rates from multiple companies. Prices can vary quite a bit, so it's worth comparing before choosing a policy. You can even do this from your phone while you're at the dealership. 

For customers who cannot obtain traditional full-coverage auto insurance, CRC also offers Collateral Protection Insurance, or CPI.

What Is CPI?

CPI protects CRC's financial interest in the vehicle while you're financing it. The cost is scheduled with your regular vehicle payment. One important benefit for the customer is protection against covered accident damage to the financed vehicle.

If your vehicle has covered accident damage under CRC's CPI program, your deductible is $750. Whether the covered repair costs $800 or $8,000, the most you'll pay toward that covered repair is $750, and we'll handle getting the vehicle repaired. 

But there's an important distinction:

CPI is not liability insurance.

It does not cover injuries or damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property. It also doesn't replace liability insurance required by Mississippi law. CPI coverage and liability insurance serve different purposes.

If you're unsure what coverage you need, we'll explain the options before you leave.

Bad Credit? No Credit? Talk to Us

Chuck Ryan Cars is a Buy Here Pay Here used car dealership, but your credit score doesn't tell us your whole story. We run credit as part of the process, but our in-house financing isn't based solely on your credit score. We look at your income and whether the down payment and vehicle payments are affordable for you.

We can also explore financing through banks and other lenders when that's a better fit.

Don't assume you can't buy a car because your credit isn't great, you don't have a driver's license, or you don't have the down payment you expected to need.

Come talk to us. There may be options you don't know about.

Quick and Easy Really Does Mean Quick

Nobody wants to spend their entire day buying a car.

Once you've chosen your vehicle, we can typically complete the purchase process and have you out the door in about 30 minutes.

We've shared that number at dealer conventions before and watched a room full of dealers react in disbelief. The car-buying process can take hours at some dealerships. At CRC, we've worked hard to make ours Quick and Easy.

Bring what you need, find the car you want, and we'll do our best to get you on the road.

That's what Quick and Easy is all about.

Your first car from Chuck Ryan Cars doesn't have to be your forever car. Sometimes the smartest move is to buy the reliable vehicle that works for your budget right now, pay it down, build equity, and use that equity toward something better later.

At Chuck Ryan Cars, we see customers do exactly that.

Start With What Works for You Today

Maybe the vehicle you really want isn't affordable yet. That's okay.

Instead of stretching your budget too far, you can start with a dependable used car, truck or SUV that fits what you can comfortably afford today.

Then work your way up.

As you pay down what you owe, you may begin building equity in a vehicle that can have real trade-in value later.

Shorter Loans Can Help You Own Your Car Sooner

Most Chuck Ryan Cars in-house financing terms are approximately 18 months to three years, with about two years being typical. That's very different from being tied to a five- or six-year car loan.

We intentionally structure our loans this way because we want customers to get their vehicles paid off and receive their titles sooner. And once you've built equity in that vehicle, you may have something valuable to put toward your next one.

There's No Penalty for Paying Off Early

Want to pay your Chuck Ryan Cars loan off ahead of schedule?

Go for it.

We don't charge an early-payoff penalty on our in-house financing. In fact, we encourage customers who are able to pay their vehicles off early to do it. The sooner you pay down what you owe, the sooner you can build more equity in the vehicle.

Use Your Equity to Trade Up

Let's say you start with a vehicle that fits your needs and budget today. You make your payments, pay down the balance, and eventually decide you're ready for an upgrade. If your vehicle is worth more than you still owe on it, that difference is equity.

That equity may be used toward your next vehicle, reducing how much additional money you need to bring to the table or finance. Then you can do it again.

Buy what works today. Pay it down. Build equity. Trade up when you're ready.

Over time, you may work your way from the car you need right now to the car you really want.

Taking Care of Your Vehicle Matters

If you're hoping to trade up later, take care of the vehicle you have now. And if you do only one thing consistently, change the oil. Regular oil changes are one of the simplest and most important things you can do to help an engine last. Skipping them can lead to serious engine problems and dramatically shorten the life of a vehicle.

Keep up with your oil changes, pay attention to warning lights, maintain your tires, and don't ignore a new noise or problem hoping it will disappear.

Taking care of your car can help it last longer and help protect its value when you're ready to trade up. When you're ready to trade, we'll evaluate the vehicle's condition, mileage, market value and what you still owe, if anything.

You Don't Have to Do It All at Once

We know not everyone walks onto a car lot with perfect credit, a huge down payment and the ability to buy exactly what they want. That's real life.

Chuck Ryan Cars has been helping people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast buy vehicles for more than 50 years, including customers who have had credit problems or simply needed a second chance.

Bad credit? No credit? We can help.

Start with a vehicle that works for your life and your budget today. Make your payments, pay it off as quickly as you comfortably can, take care of it, and when you're ready for something better, come see us again.

We'll be happy to help you take the next step.

Your first car with us doesn't have to be your dream car, but it can help you get there.

Your car needs a repair.

Now comes the question nobody enjoys asking:

Do I spend the money to fix it, or is it time to trade it in?

There isn't one answer that's right for everybody. Sometimes repairing the vehicle you already own makes the most financial sense. Other times, putting more money into it just delays the inevitable.

Before you decide, here are a few things worth considering.

1. How Much Is the Repair?

Start with the obvious: find out what's actually wrong and what it will cost to fix. A $600 repair on an otherwise dependable vehicle is very different from a $4,000 repair on a vehicle that's already giving you problems every few months. And don't automatically assume a large repair bill means you should trade the vehicle. Compare the repair cost with what replacing the vehicle will cost you.

Sometimes fixing the car you already have is the cheaper choice.

2. Is This One Repair or the Beginning of a Pattern?

Think about what's happened over the last year. If you've done little more than routine maintenance and suddenly need one repair, that may not be a reason to give up on a vehicle that's otherwise been good to you. But if you've replaced one thing after another and you're starting to recognize the mechanic's phone number before you answer it, that's different.

Add up what you've spent recently. A series of smaller repairs can become expensive surprisingly quickly.

3. What Is Your Vehicle Worth Right Now?

This matters because you don't want to spend thousands repairing a vehicle without considering what the vehicle itself is worth. But don't assume a vehicle that needs work is worthless, either.

At Chuck Ryan Cars, we buy and trade vehicles in a wide range of conditions, including vehicles with high mileage, cosmetic damage and mechanical problems.

Before you spend a lot of money fixing something just to trade it, let us look at it the way it is. We have people we trust for repairs and reconditioning, and the money you spend fixing it may not increase its trade-in value by the same amount.

4. Do You Still Trust the Vehicle?

There's a financial side to this decision, but there's a practical side too. If you depend on your vehicle to get to work, take your children to school or handle everyday life, reliability matters. One repair doesn't necessarily make a vehicle unreliable. But if you're constantly wondering whether it's going to start tomorrow morning or leave you sitting on the side of the road, that matters.

Peace of mind has value, too.

5. Can You Afford to Replace It? 

This is where people sometimes get backward. A repair bill hurts because you see the whole amount at once. A car payment looks smaller because you see it one month at a time. But replacing your vehicle may mean a down payment, monthly payments, interest, insurance and other costs.

Don't trade a $1,500 repair for thousands of dollars in new debt without looking at the whole picture.

If fixing your current vehicle gives you another couple of dependable years and fits your budget, fixing it may be the smarter choice.

6. What Are You Getting in Exchange?

There's something else people sometimes forget when replacing an older vehicle:

The vehicle you already own is a known quantity. Another used vehicle isn't.

We work hard to buy quality vehicles at Chuck Ryan Cars. We inspect them, prepare them for sale and fix problems we find. But they're still used vehicles, and nobody can know everything about how every previous owner treated a vehicle or predict exactly how long every part will last.

That's one reason every vehicle we sell comes with a FREE 30-day/1,000-mile warranty.

So if your current vehicle has been well maintained, you know its history and it only needs a reasonable repair, don't automatically assume another used vehicle is the better choice.

When Does Trading Make More Sense?

Trading may be worth considering when the repair is very expensive compared with the vehicle's value, major problems keep happening, the vehicle no longer meets your needs, or you're simply ready to move on. And you don't necessarily have to repair it first.

Bring it to Chuck Ryan Cars the way it is. We'll look at the vehicle, tell you what we can offer for it and help you compare your options.

If you decide fixing it makes more sense, that's okay, too. We're not going to tell you to buy another vehicle just because we sell cars.

Not Sure? Come Talk to Us.

If you bought your vehicle from Chuck Ryan Cars and it needs a repair, talk to us. You don't have to still be making payments to CRC. Even if you've paid your vehicle off and it's been years since you bought it, we can usually help you get it repaired at the same discounted rates we pay rather than regular retail repair prices.

And if you're still financing the vehicle through CRC and current on your payments, and the repair is more than you can handle all at once, talk to us about that, too. We may be able to help you spread part of the repair cost out over time. Then you can make the decision that makes the most sense for you.

Fix it or trade it, we'd rather help you make a good decision than sell you a vehicle you don't need.

That's how we've done business for 51 years.

Maybe you've had your vehicle for a few years. Maybe it's starting to need repairs. Maybe your family has outgrown it.

Or maybe you're just ready for something newer.

Whatever the reason, trading in your current vehicle can make getting into your next one a lot easier, especially if you've built equity in the car you already own.

What Is Equity?

Equity is simply the difference between what your vehicle is worth and what you still owe on it.

For example, if your vehicle is worth $10,000 and you still owe $4,000, you have approximately $6,000 in equity.

That equity can usually be applied toward your next vehicle, almost like bringing money to the table without having to come up with all of it in cash.

And if your vehicle is already paid off, its entire trade-in value can potentially go toward your next purchase.

You Don't Have to Wait Until Your Car Is Paid Off

A lot of people assume they can't trade a vehicle until they've made the final payment.

That's not necessarily true.

If you still owe money, bring us your current payoff information. We'll look at what your vehicle is worth, what you owe and what options you have.

Depending on the numbers, you may already have enough equity to make trading worthwhile.

Trading Up Doesn't Have to Happen All at Once

Your first car doesn't have to be your dream car.

Maybe you start with a 2012 Ford Focus because it's what works for your budget right now. You make your payments, take care of it and build equity.

About two years later, you use that equity to trade into a 2018 Honda Civic.

You do the same thing again. Pay it down. Take care of it. Build more equity.

A couple of years later, you may be trading that Civic toward a 2024 Toyota Camry you've really wanted.

The exact vehicles and timeline will be different for everyone, but the idea is the same: each vehicle can help you get closer to the one you really want.

You don't have to get your dream car on day one. Start with what makes sense for your budget today, take care of it, build equity and let that vehicle help you get into the next one.

Before you know it, the car you couldn't afford a few years ago may be sitting in your driveway.

CRC's Shorter Loan Terms Can Help You Get There

Most CRC in-house loans run approximately 18 months to three years, with about two years being typical.

We don't want customers paying on the same car for five or six years if we can help it. The longer you're financing a vehicle, the more interest you can end up paying over the life of the loan. We'd rather see you pay the car off, get the title in your hand and own it outright.

A larger down payment means you're financing less, and a shorter loan term means you can get to that paid-off vehicle and title in hand sooner.

There's also no penalty for paying your CRC in-house loan off early. If you're able to pay it off faster, we encourage it.

The sooner you build equity, the sooner that vehicle may be able to help you move into the next one.

What If My Trade Needs Repairs?

That's okay.

We take trade-ins in a wide range of conditions, including vehicles with high mileage, cosmetic damage and mechanical problems.

Even if it isn't running, we may still be interested. You just need to be able to get the vehicle to us.

If it can't be driven or towed to Chuck Ryan Cars, we generally won't be able to take it as a trade.

And before you spend a bunch of money fixing things because you think you have to, let us look at it first.

You may be about to spend money on a repair that won't increase the trade-in value enough to make it worthwhile.

Do I Need to Detail My Car Before Trading It In?

No.

We're going to detail it again anyway.

We know the difference between something that's dirty and something that's damaged, so don't spend money having your vehicle professionally detailed just for us.

Bring it in.

What Can I Trade?

We're pretty flexible.

Cars, trucks and SUVs are the obvious ones, but we've also taken things like motorcycles and Sea-Doos.

Around CRC, we've been known to ask customers, “Got a horse you want to trade?”

Please call us before actually bringing the horse.

Seriously, if you have something unusual you'd like to trade toward a vehicle, ask us. You might be surprised at what we can work with.

Find Out What Your Trade Is Worth

Online valuation tools can give you an estimate, but they can't tell you exactly what Chuck Ryan Cars will offer for your vehicle.

The easiest way to find out is to bring it to us.

We'll look at your vehicle, tell you what we can offer for it and help you see what options you have.

Whether you're ready for something newer, need something different or you're working your way toward that dream car, your current vehicle may be the first step toward the next one.

If you're thinking about trading in your vehicle or selling it outright, you're probably wondering the same thing everyone wonders:

What is my car actually worth?

There isn't one simple answer. A vehicle's value depends on several things, including what it is, how many miles it has, its condition and what buyers are looking for right now.

At Chuck Ryan Cars, we're always looking for vehicles and we pay top dollar for the right ones. And you don't have to buy a vehicle from us to sell us yours.

Here are five of the biggest things that can affect what your vehicle is worth.

1. Year, Make and Model

Some vehicles simply hold their value better than others.

The year matters, but so do the make and model. Reliability, reputation, availability and demand all play a role in what buyers are willing to pay.

We're especially fond of Japanese vehicles because many of them have a strong reputation for reliability and holding their value.

[LINK TO: Why We Prefer Japanese Vehicles]

But that doesn't mean we're only interested in certain makes. If you're wondering what your vehicle is worth, bring it by and let us take a look.

2. Mileage and Maintenance

Mileage matters, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

A higher-mileage vehicle that has been well maintained can sometimes be a better buy than a lower-mileage vehicle that hasn't been taken care of.

You don't need maintenance records to sell or trade your vehicle to us. But if you have records showing that you've taken especially good care of it, bring them with you.

They may put a little more money in your pocket.

3. Overall Condition

Of course, condition matters.

We look at the exterior, interior, tires, mechanical condition and how the vehicle drives. Dents, damaged upholstery, warning lights and mechanical problems can all affect value.

But before you start spending money trying to make your vehicle perfect, don't. You don't need to detail it first or fix every little thing. We have people we trust for repairs and reconditioning, and we know what can and can't reasonably be fixed or cleaned up. You could spend $1,000 fixing something that only adds $500 to the vehicle's value.

Bring it to us the way it is and let us look at it first.

What About the Number of Previous Owners?

The number of owners may affect a vehicle's market or trade-in value, but we don't consider it a reliable measure of the vehicle's quality.

A one-owner vehicle can be poorly maintained, while a vehicle with several previous owners can be exceptionally well cared for.

We're much more interested in the vehicle itself, its condition and how it appears to have been maintained than simply how many names have been on the title.

4. Trim Level and Features

Two vehicles that look almost identical can have very different values.

Trim level, engine, drivetrain and features can all make a difference. Leather seats, third-row seating, four-wheel drive, upgraded safety features and other equipment may affect what buyers are willing to pay.

That's why simply looking up the year, make and model online doesn't always give you the whole picture.

5. Current Market Demand

Vehicle values aren't fixed. The market changes.

A vehicle that's in high demand right now may be worth more than the exact same vehicle at another time of year.

Tax season can be an especially good time to sell or trade your vehicle. From roughly February through April, demand for used vehicles is often stronger, which means we may be able to pay more for your vehicle than we could at other times of the year.

That's one reason an online estimate should be treated as a starting point, not necessarily the final answer.

Trade It or Sell It to Us

If you're buying another vehicle, your trade-in value can help with your down payment and reduce the amount you need to finance.

But you do not have to buy from Chuck Ryan Cars to sell us your vehicle.

We buy cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles outright.

If you own the vehicle outright, bring the title if you have it. If you still owe money on it, bring your lender information and we can contact them to get the payoff amount.

There's no appointment necessary. If everything is in order, we can often have you a check in about 15 minutes.

If you're wondering what your vehicle is worth, stop by Chuck Ryan Cars in Long Beach and let us take a look.

We'll work up the numbers and make it Quick and Easy.