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There are a lot of benefits to trading in your car instead of trying to sell it privately. You can lower the amount you have to finance without the hassle, and walk away with the keys to your new car in hand. more 1. Simpler Process When you take on a private sale, you are responsible for every step of the process. You have to create an ad, take photos, list it for sale, communicate with potential buyers, and arrange for test drives. Once you have a committed buyer, you often have to negotiate pricing, work out details, and handle paperwork. This can take hours or even weeks to complete, which prolongs the time that you can purchase your new car. Some states have legal requirements for private car sellers and can hold you liable for problems that happen after the sale takes place. On the other hand, if you elect for a trade-in, you can get the value of your car immediately applied to the purchase price. If you have cash to pay for the car in full, you can deduct the amount, and if not, you'll have a lower monthly payment. 2. Tax Benefits Tax laws vary between states, but most car buyers can take advantage of tax benefits. When you purchase a new vehicle, you may be able to only pay the sales tax on the price difference between your trade in value and the cost of the new vehicle. If you are buying a new car or higher-end used vehicle with a higher price tag, this could amount to a significant cost savings. 3. Avoid the Risk Selling a car to a private buyer can also pose some risk. Online scammers are at an all-time high, looking for sellers who will fall for their scams. Even if you do encounter buyers who are legitimately interested in buying a car, you could deal with extremely low offers from those who aren't seriously able to afford the price you set. While online listings do typically reach the widest audience, there are potentially dangerous people out there who prey on people who post items for sale. When you trade in your car, you can avoid all of these scenarios. 4. Negotiation Power If you are hesitant about a trade-in because of horror stories about getting thousands of dollars less than the car is worth, consider this: you have power to negotiate. Car salespeople do have some wiggle room when it comes to pricing the trade-in value of a car, and this is especially true when your car is in excellent condition and is one that holds its value well. Before you take your car to the dealership, do some research so you know what to expect as a starting offer. Before you create your online ad to sell your car, consider these major pros that come along with taking your car to a dealership for a trade-in. If you do some research before you go in, and have a clear understanding of how the process works, it can be a positive experience that will reduce the amount of money you have to pay or finance for your new car.   Photo by Gunther Kia

When you visit Fort Lauderdale, there are plenty of activities available for all ages that don't cost a cent. Be sure to add some of these spots to your to-do list and enjoy all that this area of Florida has to offer. 1. Deerfield Island Park Situated on 53.3 acres of land, the beautiful park has plenty to see and do. When you arrive, take the complimentary shuttle to the park and be sure to enjoy the views of the surrounding Intracoastal Waterway. Once you arrive, spend some time hiking the trails, viewing wildlife sightings, fishing at one of the various designated areas, picnicking at the available tables, and taking photographs from the observation deck. This spot is free for visitors and gives a beautiful view of the natural surroundings of Fort Lauderdale. more 2. Stonewall Street Festival This event is one of the most popular Pride festivals in the country, with guests coming from around the world to participate. It is held annually each June, with activities for all, including a parade, food and drink booths, and live music. The festival celebrates diversity and welcomes participants from all walks of life. 3. Live Music There are several locations that host live bands throughout the year, so if you are looking to enjoy local music, check out some of these spots. Every Friday evening at Fort Lauderdale beach is live music night, with free admission for guests. You can also attend outdoor music performances for free at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea on Friday evenings during the winter and spring months. Hollywood hosts live music performances on most Saturday evenings, as does the Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. 4. Kid-Friendly Activities If you are looking for activities that the whole family will enjoy, check out the ArtsPark in Hollywood, where you can watch children's movies for free. Lawn seating is available, so bring blankets and/or camp chairs. The same location also hosts Funtastic Fridays for Kids throughout much of the year, from 5 to 8 p.m. each week. It is a top social event for families in the area, with face painters, bounce houses, and more. 5. Outdoor Festivals Many Fort Lauderdale locals and visitors enjoy attending free festivals, held throughout the year. Wicked Wilton is held around Halloween each year at Wilton Park, with donations going toward The Pride Center. The event hosts a massive costume contest with plenty of prizes in a variety of categories. Another fun activity for guests of all ages is the annual Las Alos Art Festival, which is going on for its 29th year in a row. It is scheduled for October 22 and 23 and showcases art from talented painters, sculptors, and other artists from around the country, including locals from the Fort Lauderdale area. The Winterfest Boat Parade is also held around the holiday season, with lit-up boats on display along the Intracoastal Waterway. Free activities make going out and experiencing new things possible, even for those who don't have a large entertainment budget available.

When it comes to yours and your family's safety, Kia takes this very seriously. The company continues to put funds into researching the best safety technologies and integrating them into newer vehicles to provide the safest possible driving experience. more 1. Head-Up Display One unique feature that is available in some Kia models is the head-up display. This technology projects graphics on the windshield with pertinent information that you need while you are on the road. Available data includes current speed, distance to vehicle ahead, and more, and you can customize the information that you want to see. This allows the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road, instead of having to check the dashboard. 2. Vehicle Body Structure Kia's vehicles are made from ultra-high tensile steel, which plays an important role in both the styling and safety in the event of a crash. The benefit of ultra-high tensile steel is a lighter weight, without having to sacrifice safety because of the high rigidity of the metal. Not only do you get better fuel efficiency with the lightweight frame, but you and your passengers also feel safer. 3. Autonomous Emergency Braking Many newer Kia models also include autonomous emergency braking (EAB) that can help prevent crashes. The windshield-mounted camera senses the road ahead and can automatically apply the brakes if the system detects an object in its path. This feature is especially useful if the object ahead is a stopped or slowed vehicle, since it can lessen damage due to a crash or even avoid an accident altogether. It also includes pedestrian detection. The forward collision warning system works in conjunction with the EAB system, relying on the camera to determine if the car is approaching an object too quickly. 4. Tire Pressure Monitoring System One of the most frightening things that can happen on the road is a tire blowout. If this happens, you could lose control of your car and even get into an accident with another car or collide with a barrier, tree, or other object. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in many newer Kia vehicles keeps close track of the exact air pressure in each of the tires, minimizing the risk of having a blowout. If the pressure is too low or too high in one of the tires, the system will give you an alert so you can fix the problem. 5. Lane Departure Warning System Distracted driving can be very dangerous, but many drivers still find themselves glancing at their phones, talking to passengers in the backseat, or munching on snacks while on the road. As a result, your vehicle could slide out of your lane and into the next one over. If another car is nearby, this seemingly minor mistake could result in a serious accident. Kia offers a lane departure warning system on some of its models, giving you an alert if your car goes out of its designated lane. With so many exciting and innovative safety features, Kia continues to take the automotive industry by storm through constant improvement and creation of new systems.

Florida spring and summer rainstorms got you down? Take these months of poor beach weather and use them to check out some of the coolest indoor things to do around Ft. Lauderdale. With these five ideas, anybody can have a good time. more Funderdome This indoor playground is a great place for parents to bring kids and let them work off some energy on rock climbing walls, zip line platforms, slides, laser maze, and much more. The cafeteria even offers healthy choices along with traditional kids' menu fare. Parents of toddlers can safely watch little ones in an enclosed toddler play area, and Funderdome has free Wi-Fi and TVs. Funderdome also holds occasional classes, and it's especially good for parties. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Though Bonnet House can be a tourist hotspot in good weather, on a rainy day it's perfect for a calm excursion through the museum. Not only was the area one of the first sites of Spanish contact with the Americas, but the Bonnet House site also contains artifacts of the Tequesta people, dating back to 2,000 B.C. The owner was a skilled artist and art collector, and you'll find many amazing paintings by him and other great artists in the hallways. Xtreme Action Park This huge indoor park is suited to adults and older children. Get some chocolatey goodness at the Hershey's shake shop, go bowling, ride go-carts, or show off your arcade skills. This park already has a new restaurant and sports bar. It's also begun major expansions to its rope course as well as nearly doubled the size of the arcade and the number of games within. If you visit once and enjoy it, return on a rainy day later in the year, and you may see some brand new attractions. The Classic Gateway Theater If what's typically on offer at IMAX or traditional theaters just doesn't interest you, check out this cozy, historic venue. It plays independent films in several genres, and many were featured in the Sundance Film Festival. If you like all kinds of movies but hate large, noisy theaters, visit Classic Gateway to see select major blockbuster films. Don't forget to grab some snacks and a drink at the Mod Wine Lounge before the show. Laser Quest If you want to play laser tag, this is a great spot for adults and kids alike. The course is top-notch and uses water-based fog for atmosphere and stealth. Play an intense game, and then have pizza delivered to you as you check the score rankings. Laser Quest also has an arcade with various activities. Be sure to try the escape the room challenges, or Key Quest. In a Key Quest challenge, your group is locked in a themed room, and you have to solve puzzles and find the key while still getting out within the time limit. The next time you find yourself lounging in front of the TV on a rainy day, get up, gather some gung-ho friends or family, and have a day to remember in Ft Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale has so much to do that it's often better to plan a fun day with multiple activities than just a single visit. Consider these four day trip ideas based on some of the most interesting tours and places in the city, and add your own personal touch. Duck Tours and Las Olas Boulevard The Duck Tours amphibious vehicles go from the city into Biscayne Bay and back again. The tours pass along Las Olas Boulevard, where guests can see the many museums, shops, restaurants, and important buildings in this historic area before hitting the water and passing the mansions at Millionaires Row. Throughout the tour, your upbeat and entertaining Ducktainer will tell you about the area and history. This 90-minute tour leaves you with plenty of time to explore any of the places on Las Olas Boulevard that caught your eye. more Cycle Party Pub Crawl Want to mix a few drinks with some exercise? Cycle Party trips start with a relaxing drink by the pool. Next, you'll hop in a 15-person covered quadricycle and go from bar to bar across town. Be sure to dress for the beach, as you'll be exploring some of the most popular local spots along the shore. Your tour guide will steer as you provide the power, but don't worry, as a full group makes locomotion very easy. Once you finish the trip, hit the beach or the pub you liked the best. Everglades Airboat Tour Miami Tour Company leads this full-day adventure, and the company will pick you up and drop you off in Fort Lauderdale. The first highlight is a guided airboat ride through the Everglades National Park, a wild and uniquely Floridian natural wonder full of thick sawgrass and the occasional alligator. Later, the tour heads to Miami for three hours at Bayside Marketplace, a good place for a meal and a souvenir or two. Then it's back to Fort Lauderdale. The company offers several full-day, half-day, and shorter trips, with relatively small groups to allow the friendly guides to get to know everyone. Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum Want to visit Fort Lauderdale without a pricey guided tour? This nostalgic and inexpensive museum is full of brilliantly restored vehicles from 1900 to the 1940s. The museum also has an exhibit on Franklin Delano Roosevelt with footage, audiotapes, and various memorabilia. It's conveniently located in the city, so you can plan any sort of trip you want around it. On a sunny day, also consider visiting the nearby Snyder Park, a pleasant nature spot with two lakes. Expect a lot of pooches at the park, or bring your own. These four day trips are either right within Fort Lauderdale or start in the city and explore nearby hotspots. The best part is that they're just the beginning. Look closer, and you'll find numerous guided trips that cater to different interests and offer various price points. Take some time to explore the city, and you'll see why Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America.

If you need a reliable, fun, and safe family hatchback, the five-door 2016 Kia Forte5 is one of the best options around. The storage and ease of this hatchback model combine with top-level technology and smart value overall. See why the Kia Forte5 lets you have it all. more Drive Away With a Faster Engine The standard 2016 Kia Forte sedan's base engine is a 1.8-liter I-4 with 148 horsepower, but you'll find three different engines among the various Forte models. The Forte5 starts buyers in the middle, with a better engine off the bat. The Forte5 uses a 2.0-liter I-4 with 173 horsepower. If you have a need for speed, the Forte5 SX uses the fastest engine available in the lineup. The SX has a turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Enjoy the Coolest Family Hatchback Kia's reliable Forte5 hatchback is going to turn some heads. Its suave proportions keep it from looking short or chunky, while available rear LED combination lamps ensure that you stand out to drivers behind you. This is just as much a safety benefit as it is a vanity feature, but it's okay to be a little vain when you manage to get a family car that's this good-looking. Mix Efficiency With Power The 2016 Forte5's 2.0-liter engine gets 25 MPG in the city and 33 on the highway. The SX model, with its 1.6-liter engine, gets 21 MPG in the city and 29 on the highway. The standard Forte model's 1.8-liter engine gets up to 26 MPG in the city and 39 on the highway. Unless you're counting every drop, however, trading slightly lower fuel efficiency for more impressive power won't leave you disappointed. All models with automatic transmissions use an Active Eco system, which adjusts shifting, torque filtering, idle RPM, and other factors to maximize efficiency. Rock Out With Great Features At the base level, you can get a Kia Forte5 with a six-speaker Sirius XM audio system. A 4.3-inch infotainment screen is standard in the higher trim levels, but it's optional in the base LX trim, meaning you don't have to pay for this increasingly pervasive feature if it doesn't interest you. When it's time to pack the trunk with groceries, you have 23.2 cubic feet before you even fold the rear seats down. Stay Safe for Less Kia doesn't toy with its customers when it comes to safety. Whether you pick the base LX Forte5, starting just over $18,000, or the top-tier EX Forte5 at nearly $21,000, you'll get the same collection of passive and active safety features. The steering column and side-impact airbags are designed to absorb impacts and prevent crumpling. Active safety features include tire pressure monitoring, hill start assist, brake assist, and electronic brake force distribution. There are quite a few 2016 Kia Forte models out there, but faster models like the Forte5 give drivers much more buying power. Contact Gunther Kia for any more information on Kia Forte models, and stop by for a test drive.   Photo by Kia