Blog

In terms of rich histories among auto dealerships, Capital Cadillac has one of the longest and resilient historical tales from a dealership. Since its inception, it has been Georgia's largest Cadillac dealer. The dealership opened for business in 1930; it was first established as Atlanta Cadillac, and then operated as Martin Cadillac until Elwyn Tomlinson bought it in 1930 and renamed it as Capital Automobile.In order to survive changing economies, the dealership had to be resilient and Elwyn had to make adjustments to his business. One way he adapted to changing economies was during WW2 when new cars were not being produced. Tomlinson closed down the new car department and rented out the space to Naval recruiters. The income generated from the Navy rental lease and the revenue brought in from used car sales allowed Elwyn Tomlinson to stay afloat during the war. He fully reopened his Cadillac dealership years later. Since that adaptive strategy, the dealership has been passed down through the family and has maintained Master Dealer status for the past 18 years. Only 1 percent of dealers qualify for that honor. While creative managing played a part in the success of this dealership's survival, we would also like to thank the many people who have helped build this dealership and contribute to our core belief in excellent customer service.

Yes. It's true. The 1959 Cadillac ambulance has been retired. The iconic prop now sits on the Sonly lot as an ornament and photo opportunity. While we are a bit sad to hear this, we are glad to know that Hollywood added to the new Ghostbuster film with 80's Cadillac classiness. The 2016 Ghostbuster film uses a Cadillac Hearse Wagon which adds new comedy style to the film with its ghost hood ornament, oversized emergency light and Ghostbuster gear. You can read more about the film and new Cadillac here.

If you're looking for luxury in an SUV, you're looking for the Cadillac XT5. It's a game changer in the mid-size crossover market and it is turning heads. The exterior shell has a similar look as the SRX but it is 300 pounds lighter. The pounds it shed doesn't translate to a loss in durability. Cadillac found a way to blend a variety of high-grade steels that weigh less, all while maximizing stiffness and collision strength. As has become standard with Cadillac, the interior seating is finely crafted. Notable technology features are its hands-free liftgate and advanced safety systems. The Cadillac CUE system is a top-tier entertainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Test drivers can also test out the crossover SUV's Active Fuel Management with Automatic Stop/Start technology. A car is more than entertainment and safety tech, though. Without an engine, the XT5 would go nowhere. With a 3.6 L V-6 Engine and an 8-Speed Automatic Transmission, the XT5 churns out 310 horsepower and jumps from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 to 6.9 seconds. Gas performance is projected at 18/26 mpg city/highway. For those who like to customize, the XT5 is available in four trim levels with many different  features. To learn more about the Cadillac XT5, reach out to Capital Cadillac and schedule a test drive.

People share a lot of ideas on the internet. Some are good ideas. Some are just plain fictional. For the month of June, Capital Cadillac would like to clear up a few car buying myths that get tossed around a lot. Outside financing is cheaper. Outside sources could be cheaper, but chances are we can compete or beat outside lenders because we deal with both the manufacturer and other lender sources. Your best bet when buying a car is to just do your homework. Compare rates of outside sources to our rates before locking in a loan. Dress down to save money. There is no such thing as a dress-code advantage when negotiating price on a car. Neither, dressing down or dressing up will give you a better deal on a car. We don't sell cars based on customer appearance. We sell cars based on the market. It's that simple. So, wear whatever you want when you are car shopping with us: A tux, a 3-piece suit, shorts and sandals, dresses, a Halloween costume or whatever else you have in mind. Just be sure to wear something. Checking with the boss is a power play. Just about every time a salesperson goes to speak to their manager that salesperson is not playing a negotiating mind game. In many cases, they are getting the okay from their manager to close a deal at the rates you discussed. We encourage all our salespeople to be honest consultants; to sell vehicles based on the wants and needs of our customers. If you feel you've been misled, let management know.

Arabia Mountain Trails You'll find the Arabia Mountain Trails 36 miles southeast of Smyrna. Hikers can stop at Arabia Lake or continue on over the Klondike Boardwalk. You'll find Arabai Mountain summit views and plenty of wilderness scenery. Bartram Trail 69 miles northeast of Smyrna is where the Bartram Trail rests. It runs along the Chattooga River, offering peaceful camping near the river. Sawnee Mountain Trail If you drive 44 miles northeast of Smyrna you'll find the Sawnee Mountain Trail. This trail offers summit views of the North Georgia mountains and the surrounding plains. Pine Mountain Trail 181 miles northeast of Smyrna is where you'll find the Pine Mountain Trail. If you're looking for a denser coniferous forest hike with views of Allatoona Lake and the Atlanta skyline, this is the trail to visit. It's the farthest from Atlanta on our list, but it remains a sight to see. Cloudland Canyon State Park Cloudland Canyon State Park resides 110 miles northwest of Smyrna. This nature haven offers trails that lead through sandstone gorges to Cherokee Falls (sixty-foot) and Hemlock Falls (ninety-foot). It's definitely worth the drive from Atlanta.

There are a lot of articles on the internet that cover trade-in value and many more articles that outline steps that might help improve your car's value when you trade it in. In reality, there is only so much you can do. The value of your used car is defined by vehicle type, the demand that exists for it, its mileage, the year it was made, and its overall condition. Those are the most important factors and most of them are relative to how you've taken care of your vehicle throughout your time owning it. With that said, there are a few things you can do to help show us how well you've taken care of your car. 1. Wash It - You don't need to detail it unless you want to. We understand it's a used car and we expect some dirt and wear. A good car wash can go a long way to show just how well you've taken care of your vehicle. 2. Clean Out Your Car - There are guides out there that suggest not cleaning your car gives you the power over the dealer because it might suggest you're not totally ready to trade it in yet. Honestly, you shouldn't be worried about whether we think you want to trade your vehicle in or not. You always have the freedom to walk away. The purpose of cleaning out your car is to show us the condition of the interior. 3. Fix Minor Dents and Small Problems - Small fixes that don't cost you a lot can go a long way. The less wear and tear your vehicle has, the higher value it will have. 4. Research & Don't Get Sentimental - The longer we have our cars, the more memories we make with them. We all can get sentimental about our cars, but when you're selling your vehicle or trading it in, it's just business. When you're considering trading in your vehicle, do some research with Kelly Blue Book but be honest with yourself on the condition of the vehicle.

If you're getting ready to trade-in your vehicle for a new one, you might be wondering if you should lease or buy your next vehicle. It's a common debate for a lot of car shoppers but which is best really depends on your needs and wants. But before you make any decisions, it's important to know all your options and of course… What is the difference between buying and leasing? When you finance or buy a vehicle, it becomes yours. You're free to drive it as many miles as you want and customize it as you see fit -- whether that's upgrading the wheels, adding custom paint or sticking a bumper sticker on the back. When you lease a vehicle, you're really just borrowing it from the dealership. The dealership still owns the vehicle and they'll want to sell it when your lease is up. So when you lease, you need to follow the rules you agree on in a leasing contract. So, you'll probably have to watch your mileage, stick to a maintenance schedule and agree to return the vehicle in the same condition it was when you leased it. Buying and leasing offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending on your own personal needs. So what's right for you truly depends on your plans for the next few years. So let's take a look at some of the pros and cons to consider when it comes to buying or leasing your next vehicle. Pros and Cons of Buying The vehicle is yours. You can customize your vehicle however you want and it's yours until the day you decide to sell it.You can rack up as many miles as you need without worrying about a cap.You are free to sell your car whenever you want.You'll likely need a higher down payment than a lease.Your monthly payments will probably be higher too -- but once your car's paid off, you won't have any payments.You're responsible for all of the maintenance costs beyond warranties. Pros and Cons of Leasing The vehicle belongs to the dealership. You're going to borrow it for a set term (usually 2 or 3 years)You can typically get more options and a "better" vehicle for less money per month than if you were to buy.Repair costs are lower since most warranties cover repairs for the first three yearsYou can get a new car to drive every two to three yearsYou'll need to monitor your miles and pay fees if you go over the agreed amount Hopefully this guide has been helpful. You might also find this quick "Buy or Lease" questionnaire helpful too. It's designed to help you determine which option might be best for your needs. If you're still not sure or just want to talk to one of our financing experts, please reach out anytime. We'll be happy to help you.