Used car dealer near Lake Station, IN

If you live in Lake Station and you're shopping for a used car, truck or SUV, Hobart Auto Sales is a few miles south, at 1171 W 37th Ave in Hobart, and most of the shopping process can be started from home before you ever make the drive. This page covers how to get here, how financing works, what to bring, and how a trade-in or a ride to the lot can make the trip easier.

Getting to Hobart Auto Sales from Lake Station

From most of Lake Station, take Ripley Street (US-6) south out of town to 37th Avenue, which is also signed as Ridge Road. Turn right and follow 37th Avenue west to the dealership at 1171 W 37th Ave. Lake Station, the Lake County city once known as East Gary, borders Hobart to the south, so it is a short, direct drive of about three and a half miles.

If your current car is unreliable, or someone else in the house needs it that day, you don't have to find a ride on your own. Hobart Auto Sales offers a free Uber or Lyft ride to the dealership, and Lake Station is well within the area it covers. Request the ride, look at the vehicles you picked out online, and if you buy, you drive home in your new car.

How financing works for Lake Station buyers

Financing at Hobart Auto Sales goes through local credit unions and national banks. The finance team sends your application to the lenders most likely to approve it on terms that fit your budget. That is the same approach whether you have strong credit, bruised credit, no credit history at all, or you're buying your first car. Because the loan is with a credit union or bank, paying on time can help build your credit, and refinancing is an option later if your score improves.

You can find out where you stand before you visit. The free credit score range check shows the range you fall in without affecting your credit. From there you can get pre-qualified, pre-qualify with Capital One, or complete the full online credit application. If you would rather talk it through with a person first, you can meet with a finance manager to go over payments, down payment and what you may qualify for. The payment calculator is useful for testing how a larger down payment or a different term changes the monthly payment. More detail is on the financing options page.

Lenders typically ask for a valid driver's license, recent proof of income such as pay stubs, proof of residence such as a utility bill, and proof of insurance before you drive away. Having those ready when you come in is an easy way to shorten your time at the dealership.

Choosing the right vehicle before you make the trip

Every vehicle in the used inventory is listed online with photos, the price and an estimated monthly payment, so you can narrow your list at home. Shopping by budget is often the fastest way in. Start with used cars under $10,000, under $15,000 or under $25,000. If you already know the type of vehicle you need, go straight to SUVs, trucks, cars or vans. Families who need extra seating can browse third-row vehicles, and drivers who want more grip through Northwest Indiana winters can filter for AWD and 4WD. The recent price drops page shows vehicles whose prices have just come down.

When you find one you like, schedule an appointment so the vehicle is ready when you arrive. It is also worth reading the dealership's vehicle exchange policy and asking about the Five Year Maintenance Plan, so you know what protection comes with your purchase before you sign.

Trading in or selling your current car

If you have a car to trade, get its trade-in value online first so you know what it is worth toward your next vehicle. If you just want to sell, you can sell your car to Hobart Auto Sales through a Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer, even if you aren't buying from them. Either way, bring the title or your loan payoff information, the registration, and every key and remote you have for the car.

Lake Station used car questions

Where can I find used cars for sale near Lake Station, Indiana?

Hobart Auto Sales is a short drive south of Lake Station at 1171 W 37th Ave in Hobart. Take Ripley Street (US-6) south to 37th Avenue and head west. The full inventory is online with photos, prices and estimated payments, so you can pick out the vehicles you want to see before you come in.

What is the most trustworthy place to buy a used car?

Whether you're comparing lots along Central Avenue or a dealer a few minutes south in Hobart, check the same three things: written policies you can read before you buy, every vehicle and its price listed online, and reviews from real customers. Hobart Auto Sales publishes its vehicle exchange policy, offers a Five Year Maintenance Plan, and shares customer reviews, so Lake Station shoppers can check all three before making the trip.

Are there car lots near Lake Station that offer a low down payment without a credit check?

The down payment depends on the vehicle and the lender's approval, so there is no single number for every buyer. You can check your credit score range free, without affecting your credit, before you pick a vehicle. The financing options page walks through each step.

Which car dealerships near Lake Station work with bad credit?

Hobart Auto Sales works with every credit situation, including bad credit, no credit and first-time buyers, through local credit unions and national banks. See all financing options or meet with a finance manager to go over your options.

Can I get a ride to Hobart Auto Sales from Lake Station?

Yes. Hobart Auto Sales offers a free Uber or Lyft ride to the dealership for shoppers in the surrounding area, and Lake Station is just up the road. It is a practical option if your current car is unreliable or someone else needs it that day.

Can I sell my car to Hobart Auto Sales if I'm not buying?

Yes. You can sell your car through a Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer on the site, whether or not you buy a vehicle. If you are buying, the trade-in value tool shows what your car is worth toward your next one.

Hobart Auto Sales also serves drivers in neighboring Gary, Portage, New Chicago and Merrillville. Questions before you visit? Contact the team or call (219) 940-9157.