What Bob Howard Auto Group Is and Where to Find Them

Bob Howard Auto Group is a multi-location dealership network operating primarily in central Florida, with showrooms in Orlando and surrounding areas. They sell new and used vehicles under the Bob Howard brand and handle financing, trade-ins, and warranty services directly through their dealerships rather than routing you to outside lenders.

The group operates as a traditional franchised dealership, meaning they carry manufacturer inventory, offer factory warranties on new vehicles, and arrange financing through their in-house finance department or partner lenders. If you are shopping for a vehicle in the Orlando area or considering financing through them, understanding how their process works — and what your alternatives are — helps you make an informed decision about whether their terms and pricing match what you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Bob Howard Auto Group finances vehicles through their own finance department and partner lenders, so your rate and terms depend on your credit profile and what the dealership offers, not on a single fixed program.
  • New vehicles come with manufacturer warranties (typically three years or 36,000 miles for bumper-to-bumper coverage), and used vehicles may carry limited warranties depending on age and mileage.
  • You can bring your own financing from a bank or credit union to any dealership, which often results in better rates than dealer-arranged financing.
  • Trade-in value at any dealership is negotiable and separate from the vehicle price, so get an independent appraisal before you arrive.
  • Dealership add-ons like extended warranties, gap insurance, and service packages are optional and priced higher than buying them separately or through third parties.

How Financing Works at Bob Howard Auto Group

When you finance a vehicle through Bob Howard, their finance department presents you with loan offers based on your credit report, income, and the vehicle price. These offers come from the dealership's preferred lenders or their captive finance arm. The interest rate, term length (typically 36 to 84 months), and monthly payment are all negotiable — the first offer is not the only one available.

The dealership makes money on financing through dealer reserve, which is the difference between the rate they buy the loan at and the rate they sell it to you at. This means their incentive is to offer you a higher rate than you might get elsewhere. Before you sit down with their finance manager, get pre-approved through your own bank or credit union. A pre-approval letter gives you a competing offer and leverage to negotiate the dealership's rate down, or to walk away if their terms are worse.

If you bring outside financing, the dealership still profits from the vehicle sale itself and from add-on products (warranties, gap insurance, maintenance plans). Many buyers find this route faster and cheaper because you are not negotiating against the dealership's finance incentives.

Warranties on New and Used Vehicles

New vehicles sold by Bob Howard come with the manufacturer's warranty, which typically covers defects in materials and workmanship for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is a bumper-to-bumper warranty and is included in the purchase price — you do not pay extra for it. Some manufacturers offer longer powertrain warranties (five years or 60,000 miles for engine, transmission, and drivetrain components).

Used vehicles carry limited or no manufacturer warranty depending on their age, mileage, and whether they are certified pre-owned (CPO). A CPO vehicle typically has a shorter warranty (often one year or 12,000 miles) and has passed the manufacturer's inspection. A non-certified used vehicle may have no warranty at all, or a very short one (30 to 90 days). Always ask the dealership what warranty, if any, comes with a used vehicle before you buy.

Extended warranties sold by the dealership at point of sale are optional and cost significantly more than the same coverage would cost if you bought it separately later or through a third-party provider. If you are considering an extended warranty, get the coverage details in writing, compare the price to what the same coverage costs elsewhere, and understand what is and is not covered before you sign.

Trade-In Value and Negotiation

When you trade in a vehicle, the dealership appraises it and offers you a trade-in allowance — the amount they credit toward your new purchase. This value is separate from the price of the vehicle you are buying, even though dealerships often bundle them together in conversation. The trade-in offer is negotiable and is usually lower than what you would get selling the vehicle privately.

Before you visit the dealership, get an independent appraisal of your trade-in from Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides, or a local used-car dealer. Know the actual market value of your vehicle so you can recognize whether the dealership's offer is fair. If their offer is significantly lower than the market rate, you have the option to sell the vehicle privately instead and use the proceeds toward your purchase, or to negotiate the trade-in value up.

Dealerships often use trade-in value as a negotiation tool — they may offer a high trade-in allowance while marking up the new vehicle price, or vice versa. The only number that matters is the bottom line: the total amount you pay out of pocket. Negotiate the vehicle price and trade-in value separately, then calculate your net cost.

Add-On Products and Optional Coverage

After you agree on a vehicle and financing, the dealership's finance manager typically presents add-on products: extended warranties, gap insurance, paint protection, fabric protection, maintenance plans, and tire and wheel coverage. These are all optional, and the dealership profits significantly on each one. The prices are marked up compared to what you would pay for the same coverage elsewhere.

Gap insurance (which covers the difference between what you owe on a loan and what the vehicle is worth if it is totaled) is sometimes worth considering if you are financing most of the purchase price, but you can often buy it cheaper through your insurance company. Extended warranties are rarely a good value at dealership prices; if you want coverage beyond the manufacturer's warranty, compare quotes from third-party warranty providers first.

Do not feel pressured to buy these products at the dealership. You can decline them all, or you can negotiate their price down. If you do want coverage, ask for the price in writing and take time to compare it to other options before you sign the finance agreement.

Comparing Bob Howard to Other Dealerships and Private Sales

Bob Howard is one of many dealership options in central Florida. Before you commit to buying from them, compare their vehicle prices to other franchised dealerships (Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota, etc.) and to used-car dealers in your area. Prices for the same model and year vary by location and dealer, and you have no obligation to buy from the first place you visit.

If you are buying used, also check private-sale listings on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Autotrader to see what the same vehicle costs when sold by an individual owner. Private sales are often cheaper but come with no warranty and require you to handle the title transfer yourself. The trade-off is lower price versus lower protection and more hassle.

For financing, always compare the dealership's offer to what you can get from your bank, credit union, or online lenders. Credit unions often offer the lowest rates to their members. Getting multiple offers takes a few hours but can save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the loan.

What to Bring and What to Expect During the Purchase

Bring a government-issued photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of residence (utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number. The dealership will run a credit check, so expect a hard inquiry on your credit report. If you are trading in a vehicle, bring the title and keys.

The purchase process typically takes two to four hours. You will negotiate price, trade-in value, and financing; review and sign the purchase agreement; sign the finance contract; and sign title and registration documents. Read every document before you sign, and ask the dealership to explain anything you do not understand. Do not let them rush you.

After you leave the lot, you have a limited time (usually three days in Florida) to cancel the purchase if you financed it through the dealership and change your mind. This is called a cooling-off period, but it does not explore to cash purchases or to vehicles you financed through outside lenders. Check Florida's specific rules before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I negotiate the price at Bob Howard Auto Group?

Yes. The sticker price is the starting point, not the final price. Everything is negotiable: the vehicle price, trade-in value, interest rate, and add-on products. Get competing offers from other dealerships and bring your own financing to strengthen your negotiating position.

What if something breaks on a used vehicle I buy from them?

That depends on the warranty that came with the vehicle. If it is a certified pre-owned vehicle, the manufacturer's limited warranty covers defects for the stated period. If it is a non-certified used vehicle with no warranty, repairs are your responsibility. Always ask what warranty comes with a used vehicle before you buy, and get it in writing.

Do I have to use Bob Howard's financing?

No. You can bring financing from your own bank, credit union, or online lender. Many buyers get better rates this way because they are not negotiating against the dealership's finance incentives. The dealership still profits from the vehicle sale itself.

Is gap insurance worth buying at the dealership?

Gap insurance can be worth having if you are financing most of the purchase price, but dealership prices are usually high. Before you buy it from them, get a quote from your insurance company or a third-party provider. You may find the same coverage cheaper elsewhere.

What happens if I want to return the vehicle after I drive it off the lot?

Florida law gives you a three-day cooling-off period if you financed the vehicle through the dealership, but not if you paid cash or brought outside financing. Even with financing, the dealership can charge you for mileage and wear. Read your purchase agreement to understand the exact terms, and contact the dealership when ready if you want to return it.