A stock photo of a person looking a credit report.

Having bad credit doesn’t have to be a life sentence

How can I rebuild my credit score? 

The number one obstacle for people buying a car, even a used vehicle, is obtaining financing. Things get even more difficult when the buyer has a less-than-perfect credit history. Bad things happen to good people and sometimes taking a hit in the credit department is unavoidable. Having a low credit score will not only make getting a loan more difficult, but it will also make the overall cost of the loan more expensive. If you’re wondering, ‘How can I rebuild my credit score,’ the financing experts at Third Coast Auto Group are here to help. This blog is not meant to be a comprehensive guide but instead is supposed to be a jumping-off point. Everyone’s situation is different and getting customized help from a licensed financial expert is probably a good idea.   Read the rest of this entry >>

A photo illustration representing the protection provided by car insurance.

Make sure you have enough insurance coverage

Texas Car Insurance FAQs and Information 

In the state of Texas, car insurance isn’t technically required if a driver can prove they can financially cover the cost of an accident. Without putting too fine of a point on this, the amount of money required to demonstrate this kind of financial responsibility is nothing short of astronomical. This is why car insurance is a thing. If you’re buying your first vehicle, you are hopefully looking for Texas car insurance FAQs and information to find out exactly what you need to have. Our team of product experts has dug up a little information that could prove to be helpful. Basically, car insurance protects more than your car, it protects your assets. Getting caught without it in the wrong situation could be financially devastating. If you have any questions about car insurance, please contact a licensed insurance agent today.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a low fuel warning on a a vehicle's dashboard.

Getting stranded isn’t the only problem with running out of gas

Why is it bad to drive a car on empty? 

Just like you eat food to fuel your body, your car, truck or SUV more or less eats gasoline (or diesel) to produce the power to move it down the road. However, your vehicle doesn’t deal with being hungry as well as you might – even if you do get a little ‘hangry.’ The most obvious answer to the question, why is it bad to drive a car on empty, is that you’ll eventually be stranded on the side of the road. This will usually happen at the most inconvenient time possible. For the most part, any given vehicle’s fuel system is going to be pretty easy to understand, that doesn’t mean car owners should be reckless. Let’s take a closer look at some things you might need to know.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a four-wheel-drive vehicle going through a mud puddle.

All the wheels move, but not everything works the same way

What is the difference between AWD vs. 4×4? 

Modern automobiles are more reliable and higher performing than ever before. That also means modern cars, trucks and SUVs are also more complex than ever before. There is a lot to know and one of the most confusing concepts facing buyers is understanding all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive. So, what is the difference between AWD vs. 4×4? On the surface, these systems perform similar functions, but each one is designed for different purposes. It is pretty easy to get in the weeds of engineering terms when explaining how these things work. Our team found a couple of videos that do a good job making the information as accessible as possible. If you have any questions about the capabilities of any vehicle available at any vehicle at any of our locations, please make an appointment with your nearest Third Coast Auto Group product expert today.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a person shining a headlight lens.

A small investment today can pay off big time when you trade-in your vehicle

How can I get the most for my trade-in? 

Everyone is looking for the best way to get the best deal on their next vehicle purchase. If you’re reading this blog, you’ve really put yourself in a strong position by considering Third Coast Auto Group. Most of our customers will use their current vehicle to off-set some of the final price of the vehicle they want to take home. If you’re wondering, ‘How can I get the most for my trade-in,’ a few of our product experts came up with a few tips that could cost us a little money by giving you a little more money for your trade-in. The best part of these tips is that these are simple tips that just about anyone can do. Let’s take a look at a few things you might need to know.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a car with two flat tires.

Do you know what to do after you’ve changed a flat tire?

How long can I drive on a spare tire? 

When was the last time you thought about your tires? If things are going well, you probably don’t give them a second thought, much less a first. In fact, most people won’t know something is wrong with their tires until they experience a blowout and need to have a spare put on their vehicle. Naturally, this leads to the question, ‘How long can I drive on a spare tire?’ The roadside assistance experts at AAA say that most vehicles should follow the long-standing standard: 50/50 rule. A vehicle equipped with a donut-style spare tire should travel no more than 50 miles, no faster than 50 miles per hour. As its name implies, a spare tire isn’t a permanent solution. Here are a few things you should know about using a spare tire.  Read the rest of this entry >>