By Colleen Thompson
news@albertleatribune.com

The glitz and glamor of the holidays are over, but Dave Syverson Auto Center has been bringing some low-priced new year cheer to Albert Lea every third Saturday of January for 45 years.

On Saturday, Jan. 19, starting at 8 a.m., the public is invited to Dave Syverson Auto Center’s 45th annual indoor used car sale. Shoppers can expect to find 21 trucks priced under $19,999, 53 cars priced under $14,999 and 21 cars under $9,999 accompanied by free sloppy joes, pop and coffee. With the cold winds blowing outside, customers can browse through 200 displayed used automobiles in the indoor warmth.

“It’s all about value,” said Bob Syverson, owner and son of founder Dave Syverson. “We have nice cars that are fairly priced.”

This year, there are even more ways the auto dealer is persuading people to stop by. They are offering 2.9 percent on-site financing along with a 1989 Ford Probe with 140,781 miles on it for $99. With negotiation between the dealer and customer typically not on the table, Syverson’s 45th annual sales event will be offering used cars at $4,000 less than what they are typically sold at.

“It’s truly the best values you’ll find anywhere and anytime,” said General Manager Kade Vershey.

There will be a pre-sale on Thursday and Friday, where people can come when it is less crowded and view and inspect cars before the actual sale. Registration for a free three-night trip to Las Vegas for two will be ongoing during this time. The drawing will be on Friday at 8 p.m.

The company has been holding their indoor used car sale since it was started in 1968 by Dave Syverson. The Dave Syverson Auto Center has been family-run and serving Albert Lea and the surrounding area ever since. It works to deliver great customer experience and satisfaction and provide the best automotive products and services. It offers new Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Lincoln, Nissan and Volkswagen vehicles and has a wide selection of used cars.

“Car dealerships are notorious for just drawing people in with ‘sales,’” Vershey said. “This isn’t a gimmick.”

Syverson and Vershey, along with employees from all departments, spend the two months prior to the event planning, advertising and working together to make it the best sales event of the year. They do research to ensure they have the cheapest prices around.

“All the employees work together on event day,” Syverson said of how the event can be successful year after year. “It makes it fun.”

In previous years, an estimated 4,000 people have walked through the doors during the indoor sales event. People can purchase a car and drive away with it the same day.

“It is the best car sale of the year,” Vershey said. “These are the best deals you can get.”