A Good Value is Always a Great Choice

When purchasing a used car, an often overlooked aspect just so happens to be among the most important-resale value. A new car will depreciate as soon as you drive it off the lot, while a used car holds the bulk of it's value well after you buy it. 

To get the best value for you, consider the price of your desired vehicle as well as your average wear and tear; how many miles will you be driving; do you plan on a lot of city driving, etc… Also consider the prices of commonly replaced parts; brakes, shocks, mufflers, starters, etc... And then look at the history of the vehicle you are buying; if it retains its value well, you will get back a good chunk of the funds you put into it. If it's a used car (think Plymouth Horizon, for historical perspective) that will be worth next to nothing in 3 or 4 years, chances are you will be throwing your money away.

There is a long list of used cars that hold their value well. The Toyota FJ Cruiser and Tacoma, the Honda Civic and CR-V unsurprisingly lead the pack in terms of resale value.

Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks are not only long-lasting, but they will also retain their value quite well. The Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Corvette, along with the Cadillac line, also have very respectable resale value.

Remember, the true value of the used car you are checking out on the lot encompasses more than just the purchase price. If you buy one of the used cars that hold their value, you'll be a very happy car buyer and get more out of every car you own.

Whiteside Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC has a huge inventory of used cars for you to choose from. We have a knowledgable staff that is happy to assist you when searching for your next automobile. You can check out our inventory online or stop by and see for yourself.

Which GM Vehicle Do You Value?

Does best value car mean cheapest car to you? Or, do you connect value with size, function, mileage, performance, or resale value? If so, best value cars can be found among many General Motors models at Whiteside Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac.

• Sub-Compact Car: Try the Chevy Sonic, a sharp looking sub-compact in 4-door and 5-door hatchback versions with comfort and high-tech highlights you don't usually get for the money: OnStar and Bluetooth. 

• Small SUV:  The Chevrolet Equinox moves standing still. The sleek design holds a new V6 with more power and fuel-efficiency with 23 City/31 Hwy. It is a comfortable 5-seater with a high-safety rating.

• Mid-Sized SUV: Chevrolet Traverse sports a new exterior and interior. Among the affordable SUVs, it's proven versatile comfort, and economical (for its class). It seats 8 or opens a huge cargo space. It comes standard with backup camera and Bluetooth connectivity. Additional tech options are upgrades.

• Hybrid Vehicle: The Chevy Volt is dashing and sophisticated. It can get 900 miles between gas fill-ups and Kelly Blue Book and J. D. Power endorsements. 

• Mid-Size: Think Buick LaCrosse as Detroit stretches to compete with the imports. This is not your grand-dad's Buick. Premium materials and colors forge a striking bullet. The 2013 introduces GM's eAssist technology, a sort of mid-hybrid returning high EPA performance.

• Luxury SUV: The Cadillac Escalade takes the prize again and sets the standard for design and performance. Standards include rear-view camera, temperature controlled front seats and market-setting dashboard interface.

• Luxury Sedan: The Cadillac XTS races ahead in design. No lumbering boxcar or Euro-copy, this sedan is breathtakingly modern, well-crafted, and powerful. Proportioned yet spacious, it surrounds you with luxury and technology. 

• Resale Value: Kelly Blue Book ranks the Chevrolet Camaro SS as the “Best Resale Value” in the High Performance Car and Sports Car categories and the Volt in the Electric Car category. 

Value may be in the eye of the beholder, but these best value cars more than meet the top industrial metrics. Each has won acclaim in one competition or another. Looks, feel, technology, power, utility, fuel efficiency, and price - each and all has its own value. 

If you're ready to start the search for your next vehicle purchase and you want something that is a great value, look no further than Whiteside Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac. We won't be satisfied until you are.

What to Look for in a Pre-Owned Car

Shopping for a pre-owned vehicle can be a relatively stress-free process with these pre-owned car shopping tips. These rules of thumb for used car shopping are designed to get you the best deals with minimum hassle. We've made a list to help inform your purchase:

• Purchase a certified pre-owned vehicle. Certified used cars include warranties, which non-certified vehicles may not have. 

• Make sure the car fits into your monthly budget. The value of a used car depends not only on brand and model, but condition, reliability, performance and popularity. Choose a less popular model in good condition to get the best car for your money.

• Always run a vehicle history report on any used car you consider purchasing. Vehicle history reports are available for any used car using the VIN number. Carfax and AutoCheck provide some of the most comprehensive history reports on the web. Most car dealerships should offer these for free, if not you may consider a more reputable dealership.

With these tips, you can get the best deal on a reliable pre-owned vehicle of your choice. For a great selection of pre-owned cars and trucks stop by Whiteside in St. Clairsville or check out our inventory online at Whitesides.com. 

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Pre-Owned is New - To You!

What is a pre-owned car? How is it different from used? If you've ever dreamed about owning a luxury or sports car but just couldn't afford to, you'll want to find out!

A certified pre-owned (CPO) car has these characteristics:

• Late model vehicle (not very old)
• Inspected and reconditioned by the manufacturer's certified technicians
• Warranty still in effect
• Financing available

What you can get from buying a pre-owned car is a great deal on a fantastic vehicle you've always coveted, with peace of mind that comes from a warranty. A car that looks like new, drives like new, and of course will be new to you.

Have questions? Want to know more and see what's available? Whiteside has the largest inventory of Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC vehicles in the Ohio Valley. A family-owned business for 30 years, Whiteside is not just your average car dealer.

In addition to new, pre-owned, and used vehicles Whiteside offers:

• Certified Service Technicians - the best around
• Online booking of appointments for service at our website
• Excellent customer service

We've been here a long time and we intend to be here a lot longer! You can reach us by phone, e-mail, or come see us. We would love to meet you and talk cars!

How To Be More Effective When Asking A Mechanic Questions

“When I turn the radio down, I can hear a thingamabob under the hood making a noise. It’s a clanging noise…no, wait. It’s more of a knocking noise. Do you think it could be the gonkquelator?”
 
One can only imagine how many times mechanics have had discussions with customers that unfolded in the same manner. You have a car and you know it needs repaired or serviced, but that’s about all you know. It helps to have a skilled and honest auto mechanic who can answer questions about your vehicle. Building a relationship with him or her can save you time and money, and from becoming frustrated when dealing with car maintenance or repairs. Be confident when asking your mechanic questions or voicing concerns about your vehicle. Communication is the key. And it’s helpful to understand the basics about your car…and that it doesn’t have a gonkquelator…so you are able to speak intelligently about what could be going on under the hood. If you do some basic legwork via an online search or even by browsing your vehicle’s user manual, you will be able to describe what’s going on to the mechanic much more succinctly.

Keeping an auto maintenance log with questions and concerns about your car's performance to discuss with your mechanic could be helpful in diagnosing an issue. Take a few notes when your car isn't running correctly. Include when it started happening, the conditions of the road and any abnormalities you noticed like noises or odors. These details can help the mechanic determine the cause of a malfunction.

Ask questions in a confident manner and remember that you are the customer. Be direct and keep the conversation to the point. After asking a question, listen for the entire answer. Ask to be shown parts or systems being referenced to on your car. This may help you to better understand the repair. It can also bring you and your mechanic to the same level in terms of communication.

Whiteside’s service professionals will guide you through vehicle repairs and maintenance, helping you to feel more at ease as you take care of your vehicle. Contact our service department today for an appointment.

Cadillac and Maintenance

Buy a new or certified pre-owned Cadillac, and you're probably not thinking maintenance. "Maintenance" should mean more to you than "repair."

Cadillac maintenance is part of the deal you cut when you buy a Cadillac at a reputable dealer. Cadillac owners tend to be repeat and long-term owners partly because of the availability of high-quality Cadillac maintenance, some of it guaranteed and some of it preventative, and most of it both.

Those dealers boasting Cadillac Shield back every Cadillac they sell with the most comprehensive inventory of services in the luxury car market, more comprehensive than any BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, and other luxury marquees. Mobile apps, remote diagnostics, road service, premium maintenance, and customer care are other reasons to make the Cadillac choice in the first place.

Quality dealers must meet standards in performance maintenance before they can carry the Cadillac Shield. Expect benefits like:

• Personal Service Representative who makes you and your car a personal project
• Private one-on-one interview builds trust and understanding
• Comfortable waiting area catering to the luxury tastes
• Play area keeps toddlers occupied
• Fresh coffee and doughnuts daily while you watch large screen TV
• Straight answers to all your questions

Cadillac service needs you to do your share, nothing more than scheduling your routine service online. Schedule that appointment and relax in comfort or take the shuttle home. Routine maintenance assures you all is well and meets warranty requirements. Remote diagnostics use OnStar to report monthly on your vehicle performance. And, Whitesides will prove as competitive as anyone in town for oil changes and tune-ups. It's our job to make and keep your Cadillac experience all it can be - in performance, value, and safety.

It's all a reminder that, once you buy a Cadillac, new or pre-owned, you step into a new world. Maintenance and service match the standard of excellence, precision and attention to detail that makes the Cadillac label what it is - service reps, mechanics, and technicians as advanced as the vehicles they service.


For more important information from Cadillac, check out this video on Winter Driving.

What is a certified pre-owned car?

What is a certified pre-owned car? How is it different from used? If you've ever dreamed about owning a luxury or sports car but just couldn't afford to, you'll want to find out!

A certified pre-owned (CPO) car has these characteristics:

• Late model vehicle (not very old)
• Inspected and reconditioned by the manufacturer's certified technicians
• Warranty still in effect
• Financing available

What you can get from buying a pre-owned car is a great deal on a fantastic vehicle you've always coveted, with peace of mind that comes from a warranty.  A car that looks like new, drives like new, and of course will be new to you.

Have questions? Want to know more and see what's available?  Whiteside has the largest inventory of Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC vehicles in the Ohio Valley.  A family-owned business for 30 years, Whiteside is not just your average car dealer.

In addition to new, pre-owned, and used vehicles Whiteside offers:

• Certified Service Technicians - the best around
• On-line booking of appointments for service at our website
• Excellent customer service

We've been here a long time and we intend to be here a lot longer!  You can reach us by phone, e-mail, or come see us.  We would love to meet you and talk cars!