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Top 5 Myths About Buying a Used Car

Scale showing myths and facts.
Scale showing myths and facts.
Buying a vehicle can be big decision, but unfortunately we hear a lot of misconceptions about the topic of buying a used car. We will talk about 5 Myths that are inaccurate. We think it is important to set things straight and make things clear.

#1. If We Pay In Cash We Will Receive a Better Deal

This is typically our first thought. We have the full amount in hand, ready to be paid in full. Now we believe we will get a lower price. But unfortunately nowadays, this isn't the case. Everyone in the car business wants to make sure that they are still making money, and one way to do this is by financing your vehicle. When we talk about paying in cash, at times it can actually discourage giving us a discounted price.
Cropped image of man counting fifty dollar bills at home

#2. Never Finance With The Dealership

Now if we ARE looking for financing our vehicle, don't run away from the thought of financing with the dealer. Especially if we have a good credit score. It might just be worth looking into seeing what they have to offer. At times, dealerships have amazing specials where they offer low interest rates because they have the access and pull to do so. Where as local banks may have no incentive for giving you a low rate on your vehicle.

#3. The Internet Is The Only Way To Find A Used Car

Typically speaking the internet is a great way to find a used car, but it isn't the only way. When we look on the internet we may come across cars that are overpriced, not in the condition they appear in the photos, and also we could be dealing with dishonest people. If we come across a vehicle that we saw at a dealership, or one for sale by a private seller we may just be in luck.

#4. Buying a Used Car Automatically Comes With a Warranty

We need to be careful into thinking that our car will always come with a warranty. Yes, it would be nice and an ideal situation, but especially with older cars we should check into the factory warranty and seeing if our vehicle is still being covered up to a certain mileage or date. We can also ask (if we are buying from a dealership), if they offer any warranties for our car. We might be surprised in what they have to say and deals that they can give.

#5. Never Buy An Older Vehicle

This should not come as a surprise for us, because everyone is different. Some only like to purchase new vehicles, and thats great! But as for most of us we love looking and doing research on older cars. It is a great way to save money and still get a car thats new to us. Of course we need to look into the history of any car we are looking at, but for the most part this is the way we can get the most bang for our buck.

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Honda CR-V vs HR-V

Honda CR-V vs HR-V

Honda CR-V vs. Honda HR-V: Which SUV Is Better for Southern Maryland Drivers? The Honda HR-V is the better fit for shoppers who want a smaller, more affordable SUV that is easy to drive and park. The Honda CR-V is better for drivers who want more power, cargo room, available hybrid efficiency and added versatility for family travel. Both seat up to five and offer available all-wheel drive. Choosing between the Honda HR-V and Honda CR-V usually comes down to how much space, performance and flexibility you need. For Southern Maryland drivers traveling between Waldorf, Prince Frederick, Lexington Park and the Washington region, either SUV can make an excellent daily vehicle—but they serve slightly different priorities. 2026 Honda CR-V vs. HR-V at a Glance Comparison 2026 Honda HR-V 2026 Honda CR-V Best for Value, maneuverability and everyday commuting More cargo room, power and family versatility Starting MSRP $26,500 1 $30,920 1 Standard engine 2.0-liter, 158-horsepower engine 1 1.5-liter turbocharged, 190-horsepower engine 1 Hybrid option Not offered for the 2026 model year Available 204-horsepower two-motor hybrid powertrain 1 All-wheel drive Available Real Time AWD™ 1 Available Real Time AWD™; standard on select trims 1 Cargo space 24.4 cubic feet behind the second row 1 Up to 76.5 cubic feet with the second row folded 1 Specifications vary by trim and configuration. Always verify current vehicle specifications and availability before purchase. Which Honda SUV Is Easier to Drive and Park? The HR-V is the smaller of the two SUVs, making it a natural choice for drivers who regularly navigate busy parking lots, tighter streets or limited garage space. Its size can make daily errands around Waldorf or Prince Frederick feel simple, while its five-passenger cabin and 60/40 split-folding rear seat still provide useful flexibility. The CR-V remains easy to live with for a compact SUV, but its larger footprint provides more room for passengers and cargo. If you frequently carry sports equipment, luggage, home-improvement supplies or gear for weekend trips, the additional versatility may be worth the step up. Which Has More Power? The 2026 HR-V uses a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter engine. That setup is designed for practical everyday driving and may be all that a solo commuter, couple or small household needs. The 2026 CR-V offers more power. Gasoline LX, EX and EX-L trims use a 190-horsepower turbocharged engine, while Sport Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid trims use a 204-horsepower two-motor hybrid powertrain. Drivers who merge frequently onto faster roads, regularly carry passengers or simply prefer stronger acceleration may appreciate the CR-V’s additional output. Which Is Better for a Southern Maryland Commute? For a shorter commute or a driver focused on keeping the initial vehicle price lower, the HR-V is a compelling option. Honda lists an EPA fuel-economy rating of 26 city and 32 highway mpg for the front-wheel-drive 2026 HR-V. 1 Drivers covering more miles between Southern Maryland and the Washington area should also consider the CR-V Hybrid. Depending on trim and drivetrain, Honda lists strong city fuel-economy ratings for its available hybrid powertrain. The CR-V Hybrid can be especially attractive when a commute includes a mix of local traffic, stop-and-go driving and highway travel. Fuel-economy ratings vary by trim and drivetrain, and actual mileage depends on driving habits, vehicle condition, weather and other factors. Compare the exact window sticker for the vehicle you are considering. Which Has More Cargo and Passenger Space? Both SUVs seat up to five, but the CR-V is the stronger choice when space is a major priority. Honda lists up to 76.5 cubic feet of CR-V cargo space with the second row folded. Its low, wide cargo opening is helpful when loading groceries, strollers, luggage or larger items. The HR-V provides 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind its second row. Its configurable 60/40 split rear seat lets you balance passenger and cargo needs, making it practical for routine shopping, work bags, sports equipment and weekend errands. Which Offers Better Technology? Both 2026 models offer the connectivity most drivers expect. The HR-V includes a 9-inch color touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, while higher trims add features such as heated seats, leather-trimmed seating and parking sensors. The CR-V also includes a 9-inch color touchscreen with wireless smartphone compatibility. Available equipment includes a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, Bose premium sound system, Google built-in and a hands-free access power tailgate. Feature availability varies by trim, so it is important to compare the exact vehicles rather than relying only on the model name. Should You Choose the HR-V or CR-V? Choose the Honda HR-V if you want: A lower starting price A smaller SUV that is easy to maneuver Useful cargo space without moving into a larger vehicle Available all-wheel drive A practical commuter or first SUV Choose the Honda CR-V if you want: More cargo and passenger flexibility More standard horsepower An available hybrid powertrain More available comfort and technology features A versatile SUV for commuting, family travel and weekends Compare the Honda CR-V and HR-V at Waldorf Honda The best way to decide is to compare the two SUVs in person. Sit in both cabins, check the rear-seat room, load the cargo area and drive each model on familiar roads. Waldorf Honda serves SUV shoppers from Waldorf, Prince Frederick, Lexington Park and communities throughout Southern Maryland. Shop New Honda SUVs Schedule a Test Drive Frequently Asked Questions Is the Honda CR-V bigger than the HR-V? Yes. The CR-V is the larger SUV and offers more cargo capacity. The HR-V is smaller and easier to maneuver while still seating up to five. Does the Honda HR-V come as a hybrid? Honda does not offer a hybrid powertrain on the 2026 HR-V. The 2026 CR-V offers both gasoline and hybrid powertrains. Do the Honda CR-V and HR-V offer all-wheel drive? Yes. Real Time AWD™ is available on both models. It is standard on select 2026 CR-V trims and available on the others. Which Honda SUV is better for families? The CR-V is generally the better family choice when rear-seat room, cargo capacity and longer-trip versatility are priorities. The HR-V can work well for smaller households that prefer a more compact vehicle. Which Honda SUV is more affordable? The 2026 HR-V has the lower starting MSRP. Final pricing depends on trim, drivetrain, equipment, incentives, taxes and fees. Sources: 2026 Honda HR-V specifications and 2026 Honda CR-V specifications. 1 MSRP and vehicle specifications are based on information published by Honda as of September 2026 and are subject to change. MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, destination charge, options and other applicable fees. EPA mileage ratings are estimates for comparison purposes. Actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, vehicle maintenance and other factors. Contact Waldorf Honda to confirm current pricing, specifications and availability.

Letters PUERTO RICO carved in soft white sand of tropical beach in Puerto Rico

The Car Market In Puerto Rico After The Hurricane

On, September 20th a category 4 hurricane that carried 150 mph winds made landfall on Puerto Rico. It has left thousands without power, water, and with limited resources. Now as they try to get back to rebuilding their lives, jobs, and communities they are finding it is very difficult to do so with the lack of transportation. The car sales have naturally decreased dramatically after such a devastation to the island. About 1/4 of the cars were lost to flood damage. Many of the damaged vehicles will most likely end up at Insurance Auto Auctions. We can only imagine that the demand for a vehicle is very high. With people needing to return to their regular daily lives, commuting for work, and taking their children and getting them back to a good routine at school. Simply the supply is just too low when it comes to purchasing a vehicle. But they are doing everything they can to change things little by little, and make them more available. A Fact To Remember We will remember just 6 months ago, when Puerto Rico claimed the Guiness World Record for the longest parade of classic cars: 2,491. It is evident that puerto rico has one of the highest rates for car ownership in the world. Positives For The Future Taking one day at a time, we will slowly see little improvements. As different organizations, associations, and families that were not effected by the hurricane season this year, will continue to try to pull together what they can to donate to the island and the people there. Getting the remainder who stayed on the island back on their feet.

honda cars parked in front of a dealership in a downtown setting.

The Future Of The Car Industry

Gas Prices sure can increase quickly, but how long does it take them to come down? It seems like we are constantly watching the prices rise at a rapidly increasing rate. What does this mean for the average consumer? It could mean that we are starting to second guess upgrading to a bigger vehicle, with the extra space and power. Which could signify that we are starting to search for a smaller vehicle one that gets better gas mileage and has a smaller engine. But just because we might need to start looking for a car with a smaller engine that won't consume as much fuel, doesn’t mean we have to downsize the power that we want as well. Honda Accord now makes a Turbo Charged Engine. It is a smaller engine but the turbo gives it the boost it needs to make up for any power losses. Definition A turbocharger, or colloquially turbo, is a turbine-driven forced induction device that increases an internal combustion engine's efficiency and power output by forcing extra air into the combustion chamber. Benefits of a Honda Accord With a Turbo Charged Engine Increased Horsepower- Makes more power at a lower rpm It feels more relaxed to drive Increased reliability of engine Higher Efficiency- Runs off energy that is typically lost in naturally aspirated engines, thus the recovery of the engine improves the overall efficiency of engine What Else is Changing in the Car Industry? We have found more and more cars are being made with aluminum bodies. There are some advantages of this as well as disadvantages. Read along with us as we go over a few. Pros 1. Lightw eight 2. Strength and Durability 3. Safety Benefits When applied to an optimized automotivebody structure, aluminum can provide a weight savings of up to 50 percent compared with the traditional mild steel structure. Due to the reduced weight, the car will use less fuel. Aluminum body structures are equal or superior in strength to steel and absorb twice as much crash-induced energy. We have found  that with Honda they tend to make their hoods and trunks with aluminum which saves on weight, but usually does not affect body shop and insurance rates. Cons Now the we considered the pros. When dealing with aluminum it does not come without its disadvantages as well. 1. Higher costs to repair 2. Inability to be welded easily 3. In some situations it is more difficult to paint Aluminum is more expensive than steel, as much as two to three times more. A drawback that comes along with it being more expensive, is you will find that you are spending more money at the body repair shop. When it comes to welding it isn't as easy as if a steel door panel needs to be repaired. Usually with steel it can be welded back together easily, primed and repainted to look like no damage was even done to the vehicle, unfortunately this can't be done with aluminum. Now, we wait and see, to find out exactly what the future of the car industry will decide to do. Will they completely make the switch to aluminum? Or will they keep using steel because it is what we all know best. Only time will tell.