Business Spotlight: Carson Car Center a different take on the market

In the world of used cars, there is used and then is Carson Car Center used.

"Our used inventory is different from other used inventory, because 80 percent of our cars are slightly pre-owned," said Carson Car Center General Manager Wayne Lew. "Used 2015, 2016 and 2017 cars make up the majority of the lot."

This means vehicles in like-new condition with low miles, he said, something not generally seen at used car lots.

"Most of the used car lots in town have 10-15 year old cars on their last legs," Lew said.

The vehicle inventory at Carson Car Center may be used, he said, but they are gently used and with a lot of life left in them.

Carson Car Center fills a unique niche in Carson City by offering vehicles that look, smell and drive like new ones, Lew said, but without the high factory sticker prices of brand new or the instant depreciation that goes with it.

Plus, Carson Car Center certifies nearly every used vehicle on its lot.

"These are all very slightly used cars," he said. "We certify all of them. Ninety eight percent of our lot is certified, which includes a two-year up to 100,000 mile warranty."

The certification process at Carson Car Center features a 129-point inspection that Lew says is more comprehensive than the minimum required by state law.

"Most of the dealers will do the minimum," he said. "We replace tires at 50 percent tire life, whereas most dealers won't. If the car passes it passes."

Lew said a certified vehicle means the vehicle is upgraded significantly from simply used to a higher quality standard of sale, ensuring customers are getting their monies worth.

But a certified pre-owned vehicle at Carson Car Center doesn't mean a higher priced product, either.

"The consumer is still saving thousands upon thousands over a new car," Lew said.

Carson Car Center opened it's lot in December 2015, Lew said, after Reno Buick GMC Cadillac purchased the property formerly occupied by Dick Campagni Toyota Scion at the northeast corner of Koontz Lane and South Carson Street.

A subsidiary of Reno Buick GMC Cadillac, Carson Car Center sought from the beginning to fill a niche market in the Nevada state capital by supplying consumers with better than used cars, Lew said, but more affordable than brand new.

While Carson Car Center is its own company, Lew said, its corporate association with the Reno-based GM dealer provides a significant portion of inventory to meet its market goals.

"A lot of their trades end up here, because they are really space confined," he said. "So we end up with a lot of their inventory. It benefits us."

Other inventory comes from customer or dealer trades, Lew said, as well as purchases from other dealers and car rental agencies.

Carson Car Center offers a diverse selection of vehicles, he said, from cars to sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-up trucks, which seem to be the hottest ticket item in the area.

"Right now trucks and SUVs are just flying out of here," Lew said.

Especially full-sized pickups.

"A lot of people are using a four-door pickup like a family car," he said. "The trucks weren't like that 15 years ago. They were a truck. Now you can get a truck as plush as a Cadillac inside."

Much better fuel economy has also significantly added to the appeal of full-sized pickups and SUVs, he said, with gas mileage seeing a 50 percent improvement over recent years.

"That's the difference. The newer models get so much better gas mileage than the older models. They are so much more efficient," Lew said. "You can get half ton trucks now in the mid-twenties. That's pretty much across the board now."

Lew said since it opened 16 months ago, Carson Car Center has had a positive reception from the Carson City community, leading Reno Buick GMC Cadillac to purchase an adjacent lot for future expansion.

He said the company is investing long-term into Carson City and plans to grow with the community.

"We're here to stay," Lew said. "We're locally owned. All the owners live in the area, and they are all big civic people."

He said Carson Car Center is intent on making its biggest impact on the community through this civic involvement. The business actively participates in community-wide events like the Taste of Downtown and is a major corporate sponsor for youth sports teams and leagues in Carson City.

"To make it in a small community, you have to do that," he said. "But we take it a step further, because we want to do that."

Taking pride in the community is part of the corporate philosophy at Carson Car Center, Lew said, along with bonafide customer satisfaction.

"We treat people like we want to be treated," he said. "I want a good experience for the customer. If you give a customer a good experience, they're going to want to come back and they'll spread the word. And also it shows that we want to stay in the community."

In addition to an extensive inventory of certified pre-owned vehicles, Lew said Carson Car Center also offers customers a full service automotive department that can handle the gamut of vehicle maintenance and service.

"We can service any vehicle, any make or model," he said. "A lot of people don't know that we have a full service department. You name it, we can do it."

Carson Car Center is located at 3659 S. Carson Street at the corner of Koontz Lane. Visit its web site here to learn more, or find it on Facebook here. Or call 775-301-4600 for more information.