Chevrolet Used Cars: Dependable and Fun to Drive

Buying a Chevrolet is as American as hot dogs, baseball and apple pie. And, the facts back up our iconic brand’s nostalgic slogan. General Motors, ranked eighth among America’s Fortune 500 companies, and has been producing dependable Chevrolets since 1911. Dependability means that your money won’t be wasted on a car that’s in constant need of repairs, which is especially comforting if you are planning on investing in a used car. Chevrolet used cars: dependable and fun to drive.

Economical

Today, Chevrolet has many reliable, fuel-efficient models that are affordable for the average consumer including competitively priced luxury vehicles. High safety ratings on some models mean lower insurance rates, making Chevrolet economical in more ways than one. Add the economy of purchasing a used car and the savings becomes substantial.

Award Winning

The Chevrolet Equinox has scored most dependable in compact crossovers. The Chevrolet Sonic received an award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as the Top Safety Pick for 2012. The 2012 Camaro is one of the Top 10 cars with Best Resale Value according to Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. The 2012 Cruze Received a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And the list goes on.

Fun Drive

Being fun to drive is one of the most well-earned Chevrolet traits. From the fast, smooth, and sexy Chevrolet Corvette, to the hybrid Chevrolet Volt, where electricity and gas seamlessly come together to deliver the best of both worlds you can be sure Chevy will deliver a fun and exciting drive.

Whether you’re taking your Chevy to the levy, around town or on the open road, narrow your car search by buying the American-made Chevrolet. A Chevrolet used car is the easy choice for a safe, dependable and fun coupe, sedan, hybrid, or crossover at the best prices around.

Car Repair Really Matters

Most of us rely on our cars almost as if they are extensions of our bodies, moving us where we need to be, reliably and without too much conscious thought. Just as we need to take care of ourselves, we need to pay attention to the inner workings of our vehicles. Car repair services are the vital link that keeps our vehicles in prime running shape. 

Do you know the specifics of your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule? It’s likely that it needs oil changes, tire rotation, filter changes and various fluid fills, each on its own schedule. Your owner’s manual will spell out exactly when you should take your car in for regular car repair services and maintenance. Following that schedule helps ensure that your vehicle is reliable and safe.

Tires are under-appreciated. We kick them, refer to them in disparaging ways (that “spare tire” some of us wear), we swing on them in the back yard and worst of all we ignore the ones on our vehicles. When the rubber hits the road, it had better be in good shape. Improperly inflated tires can be dangerous and cut down on gas mileage. When you take your vehicle in for car repair services, ask the service professional to check your tires for wear and tire pressure. 

You can’t control gasoline prices, but you can choose to capitalize on the refined liquid gold that runs your car. Keeping your vehicle in good repair can improve your miles per gallon and save money. The U.S. government estimates that having a properly tuned engine improves gas mileage an average of 4 percent. Using the correct grade of motor oil and changing it regularly can improve gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Your car repair service professional can perform these money saving fixes.

Keeping your brakes in good repair ensures better safety, and prevents costly major repairs. Certain parts of your brakes, such as shoes and disc pads, wear with use and need to be replaced before they begin to grate on the rotors. The cost for car repair services such as replacing the discs is much less than the cost for replacing rotors. And you really cannot put a price on the peace of mind that knowing you have well functioning brakes bestows.

Regular car repair services can save you money in the long run, give you the comfort of knowing that your vehicle is in top shape, and even add to its resale value. At Whiteside, we have the best service professionals in the area. They are friendly and knowledgeable on all makes and models of automobiles, so the next time you're in need of service, click over to the website and set up an appointment; your car and wallet will thank you.

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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