Smart Car Shopping

By: Greg Chapman

When most car buyers are asked what kind of car they would like
to buy, they often answer something like "a Volkswagen Passat,
or maybe one of those Chevy Trailblazers, but I really love
those Mazda Miatas." It seems funny, but many people have no
idea what they really want or need. Only one, if any, of those
cars will suite the person's real needs and wants. The most
common mistake of car shoppers is that they really don't know
what they want. Everyone knows what happens when you go to a
grocery store without a list of items. Either you end up buying
everything your stomach growls at and find out later you didn't
really need half the stuff you bought, or you will spend hours
wandering about the store without finding much of anything at
all. Both of these scenarios are the same with car shopping. It
is important to have a shopping list for car buying so that you
get exactly what you need and don't waste a large amount of time
browsing cars that do not fit your criteria. Here are some
things that should be laid out on your car-shopping list before
you even begin to look at used cars in Austin.

1. Determine the type of vehicle that fits your intended use.
What type of car will fit the needs of your family? Do you need
a vehicle with 7 seats or 5? Is storage space an issue? Do you
need to transport materials for work or some other purpose? 2.
Consider the mileage and features that are important. Do you
need a car that is still under warranty or do you need features
such as four wheel drive or side front airbags? 3. Think about
the different Makes and models of cars and consider the
reliability of different types of vehicles. 4. Look for Dealers
that provide CarFax reports. These reports give you the history
of used vehicles so you know what the car has been through, such
as major collisions or a replaced transmission. 5. The
affordability of the automobile is possibly the most important
item on your list. You need to figure out what your price range
is, what down payment requirements you have, and especially
monthly payment goals.

Going into a dealership with this shopping list in hand is
guaranteed to save you time and money, not to mention helping a
sales staff to quickly locate a vehicle that is right for you.
You will find so many used cars in Austin to choose from that it
is extremely helpful to know what you are looking for. The most
important part of shopping for a vehicle is knowing what you
need and want before you go looking.

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a
knowledgable and leading profider of used cars, trucks, and
SUV's. Since 1959, Chapman motors has offered reliable used cars in Austin
and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmot
ors.com.