The Importance of Carfax

The Importance of Carfax
What is Carfax? Many people exploring the possibility of buying a used car are completely out of the Carfax loop. The truth is, it is the most expanding database of used car accident reports in the country. Their national database of more than a billion vehicles on record is constantly growing, adding more state records from states like Alabama and Louisiana. It already provides accident report data for states such as Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Maryland, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Vermont, Wyoming, and Texas. While many states already issue salvage titles for cars and trucks that have had serious accidents, resulting in critical damage, these issues do not report all of those more minor accidents that could have a future impact in the life of the vehicle? Wouldn't a report of those damages be nice to have before you buy a used car?
So why is it so important to have these records? It is no secret that used car dealers have the reputation of selling cars that have concealed problems. Are you willing to go on the salesman's word that the car you are buying will last as long as you need it to? Even if you do completely trust the salesman, there may be things that even he is not aware of, especially if the dealership does not use Carfax. Finding a dealer that will supply you with the Carfax report adds an incredible sense of security to your used car purchase. Why would you take a risk? Information like flood damage, odometer fraud, and salvage history that might normally be unknown will show up on the Carfax report, allowing the customer to truly make an educated decision on such an important purchase. People everywhere depend on their automobiles to get to their jobs, keep their kids in school, and keep their households running. There is no reason to put all of this at risk and buy from a dealer that will not provide the Carfax report for the vehicle you are considering. There are too many unknown possibilities that could put your entire family at risk.
As you begin your search for a new used car in Austin Texas, find a dealer that will provide you with a full Carfax report so that you can be sure you are making a wise investment decision as well as a good safety decision. Using a dealer that uses Carfax may be the best decision you make in your used car search. So make sure you let the right dealer win your trust by showing you the facts.

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Let Chapman Motors help you find the perfect used car in Austin Texas. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

New or Used Cars?

Before you consider buying a new car, consider what buying a new car will mean to your future transportation and financial needs. The largely held opinion of new car buyers is that they will not have to worry about the vehicle breaking down, thinking that they will keep the car for 10 years and only put around 120,000 miles on it. If the fear of car mechanical problems is the principle factor in your decision, you should take another look at the facts before you make the decisions to buy a new car.
The first problem with this train of though is that all cars break down. It does not matter if they have 100,000 miles or 100 miles on the odometer, these mechanical means of transportation have unforeseen problems of all kinds, and it is very difficult to predict how often or when a car will have problems within the first 100,000 miles. Cars are simply machines, and as long as they are cared for correctly, they will continue to run smoothly. Even if you get lucky and your new car does not break down, you will still have to spend money on regular service, recalls, and service bulletin actions if you want it to stay in good shape.
There is also a flaw in the idea that you will keep an automobile for ten years. Yes, some car owners really do make it for the long haul, but statistically, new car owners transfer their vehicles on an average of 59 months within their purchase or lease date (not quite five years). New car technology is constantly developing. Can you imagine the cars people will be driving 10 years down the road? Think about what kind of computers people were using just five years ago. The simple truth is that you will most likely want a change before that.
Used cars can be just as nice as new cars. Many car owners take excellent care of their automobiles, and you can hardly detect the use of some used cars. Consider the fact that a new car loses a considerable amount of its value as soon as you drive it home. Why spend that extra investment, when you will see no return? What if you decide you are unhappy with the car one year down the road? The value will have decreased so much within that year that you are guaranteed to lose money. Is it really worth the risk? Plus, some used car dealers offer CarFax reports that will give you a detailed description of the vehicle's history. If you are really worried about getting a problem car, this information should help you feel a little more secure.
Though you can catch up with the value depreciation of a new car in 7 or 8 years, you can do just as well buying a one or two year old car and holding on to it for five. Not to mention the fact that you will spend less money on a used car to begin with. It is important to really think about your reasons for wanting to buy a brand new car. Is that really what you need? Take a look at some used cars first, and you will see some amazing used cars waiting for a new home.

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider 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.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Bad Credit Encouragement

Many people with bad credit live with the fear that they will never again qualify for a car loan. This is an unrealistic fear that rises from old connotations of bad credit consequences and empty threats made by collection agencies and bill collectors. The actual facts of the matter simply prove that people with bankruptcy and other blemishes on their credit score can still qualify for a car loan, as well as credit cards and home mortgages. There is hope and there are second chances for those who have bad marks against them on their credit reports.
The first thing to realize is that just because bad credit holders can get approved does not mean they have the same conditions that other buyers with good credit possess. The conditions of a loan to someone with a low credit score can vary widely depending on the severity of the individual's credit issues. Some problems affect all bad credit borrowers but may depend on the intensity of the debt. Also, interest rates are going to be higher for those with bad credit. This is simply a fact. Though it may seem discriminatory, it is a common practice amongst financial institutions due to the nature of risk these lenders are taking by offering loans to those with no credit. Interest rates are calculated by the national average at the time of the loan and the amount of risk associated with the particular loan. As a result, those with bad credit have a higher interest rate due to the associated risk. The established rate of interested for the United States is often represented as a prime rate. This is the rate that a bank may charge their best customers (those with high credit and money in the bank). The Wall Street journal keeps an active publication of the current prime interest rate, but this rate can also be found on many different websites on the world wide web. The great thing about the competition of capitalism in the United States is that most banks are within a half a point of the current prime interest rate due to lending competition. This competition also helps those with bad credit get loans because lenders need business and so they will try to work out a loan proposition for most anyone. Some of the best lenders are car loan financers. When searching for a used car dealer Austin has some dealers that will offer "last chance" financing. They want you to be able to buy a car even more than you do, so do not be afraid to buy just because you have bad credit. Consider the payments and the interest rate, and know that you can make the payments every month. That is the most important part of getting a car loan with bad credit. Remember, getting a loan with bad credit and making the payments religiously will cause that bad credit score to slowly change. That is why it is very important to look for a dealer that will report your car payments to the credit bureau on a monthly basis. Many dealers do not spend the time doing this, but finding ones that do is extremely worthwhile. This way, your score will be affected positively every time you make a car payment, when otherwise your credit score would not change at all.
This article is simply designed to be an encouragement to people everywhere that there is still hope after bankruptcy and bad credit. Go to a lender to see for yourself how much more you will pay in interest according to the type and severity of your debt. Remember, the type of loan and the severity of your credit issues are what determine what kind of loan you can secure, not if you can secure one. If you are ready to make the payments on a new car, or even a new house, know that you have options.

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has been the most reliable used cars dealer Austin has to offer. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Smart Car Shopping

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 knowledgeable and leading provider 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.gregchapmanmotors.com.