Picking out Your Vehicle’s GPS Navigation System

GPS or Global Positioning Systems for vehicles are much more accessible and affordable than it ever has been.

Today’s GPS units are not only affordable but also provide you with the newest technology and mapping software that can get you from point “A” to point “B”, warn you about traffic or weather, and more.

There are a variety of navigation systems available for your choosing. Within those varieties are the portable or in-dash units.

The portable units are mainly made to suction to your windshield and are powered from your vehicle’s DC outlet. These units are versatile and can easily unplug and be moved from vehicle to vehicle. Some even have built-in batteries to provide you with navigation without an external power source.

The downside of the portable units is the screen size, which is around 4 inches.

The in-dash navigation units usually include a Touch-Screen Monitor, which puts entering destination addresses at your fingertip. These systems replace your factory radio, and provide control over your entire audio system. With systems designed to fit both Standard and Oversized Radios it’s possible to find a system for any vehicle. Options such as Bluetooth, IPod Integration, Satellite Radio and TV tuners also allows you to completely outfit your vehicle.

When looking for the perfect GPS unit for your vehicle, ask yourself the following questions:


1. How often do you intend to use the system? Inexpensive units simply plug in to your car's cigarette lighter and are small enough to store in your glove compartment, but they're not as user-friendly.

2. Consider the layout of your car. Some systems come with a monitor that displays a map. The monitor is commonly installed on the dashboard or on a pedestal extending from the dashboard. In some cars, such an installation may block air vents or make it somewhat uncomfortable for a passenger to enter or exit the vehicle or sit in the passenger seat.

3. Select a system that features multiple ways of getting to your destination. This can include by address, by intersection, by a personal address book or via a location selected directly from the map.

4. Look for a system that gives you vocal as well as graphical directions. The systems that use a map and monitor include arrows that show you the direction of a turn and also indicate where your car is on the map in relation to the destination. Other systems use the head unit or radio to display the name of the street on which you are to make a turn or on which you are traveling. Both of these systems also give you verbal directions as you approach a turn.

5. Select a system that includes point of interest data. Most GPS systems include locations of airports and other transportation services, ATMs and banks, restaurants, hotels and a host of other sites.

6. Choose a system that offers updates of the point-of-interest data.

7. Consider installation time if you are working on a tight budget. Systems that rely on maps displayed on monitors are more complicated and take longer to install than other types of systems.

If you take the time to pick out your unit, you won’t be disappointed.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used cars in Austin and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

The Benefits of Using Carfax when buying your next car

If you are in the market to buy a used car, using Carfax as a research tool is worth the investment.

Carfax’ history dates back to 1986 when it worked closely with the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, providing vehicle history reports to the dealer market. By the end of 1993, Carfax obtained title information from nearly all fifty states. When the largest automobile database, the company offered all consumers the same instant access to vehicle history reports that auto dealers, banks and other businesses were already subscribed to.

So what can Carfax provide you?

1. When the car was built
2. When and where the car was first registered
3. When the first annual inspection was done
4. When the second annual inspection was done
5. When the car was registered in a new state
6. When the car was offered for sale
7. Accidents - Not all accidents are reported and not all reported accidents are included, but a substantial number are listed
8. Advisories - Carfax aggregates enough data on most vehicles to infer certain events. When the inference is sufficiently strong Carfax will provide an advisory explaining the inference.
9. Airbag Deployment
10. Auto Auction - Many vehicles are sold at auction and Carfax reports on these sales
11. Certified Pre-Owned Status - Many manufacturers report the cars they certify to Carfax
12. Dates of activity - Most events shown on the report include a date of the event
13. Emission Test Results
14. Frame Damage - In addition to reporting accidents, frequently frame damage is reported
15. Lease / Lien events
16. Location - Most records include some indication of the city and state of origin for the event
17. Maintenance and Service Events - Like accidents, not all are reported, but a significant number are
18. Non-Branded Lemon - The manufacturer bought back the vehicle as a courtesy instead of due to legal requirement
19. Odometer Readings - These may include readings or title designations that the readings are not reliable
20. Odometer Rollbacks - Some rollbacks are certified while other irregular readings are highlighted with suggestion for careful review
21. Open Recalls - Many manufacturers report their open recalls to Carfax
22. Ownership Transfers
23. Repairs - Like accidents, not all are reported, but a significant number are, particularly when paid by an extended warranty company
24. Stolen Vehicles
25. Title Brands - Official state designations found on the title such as Salvage, Flood, Lemon, and Junk
26. Title Numbers
27. Titling Activity - transfers, renewals, etc.
28. Vehicle Use - taxi, fleet, commercial, personal, rental car and other uses are reported

Some information is not available on a report. Personal information such as names, telephone numbers and addresses of owners is neither collected nor reported.

The Downside to Carfax, although small is:
1. Accuracy -While most of the time the Carfax reports are accurate, there can be some instances where Carfax is not accurate. If you look at some of the consumer websites online (Consumer Reports, Consumer Affairs), there are reports that some of the information Carfax provided was incorrect and ended up costing the buyer thousands of dollars.

2. Seller's problems- Picture you're selling your car and you find out that Carfax is listing incorrect information - what do you do? Well according to some of the consumer websites, not much. One site listed one story indicating the seller sent all his car records to Carfax in order for them to update their information. However, Carfax refused. Therefore, it's better to check your car's information sooner rather than later to be sure it will not hurt you in the future when you sell your own car.

While you never can be 100% sure about the accuracy of the Carfax information, it well may be worth $30 to find out what is listed. More information is always better when you are buying a car.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used cars in Austin and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Get the Most from your Test Drive

When you are shopping for a used vehicle, the test drive is an invaluable tool in determining whether a vehicle is the right fit for your needs. Shopping for a new or used car can leave you overwhelmed with all of the inherent decisions and tradeoffs, but knowing what to look for during your test drive can alleviate some of the pressure and help you make the right decision.

Before visiting a dealership to test drive what could be your next set of wheels, it is important to assess what features you need and want out of your next vehicle. Your current vehicle is a good starting point in determining what makes a vehicle a fit for you. Is there enough space, or are you seeking something larger? Are you happy with the fuel economy? Are the seats comfortable? Examining the benefits and shortcomings of your current vehicle can help you evaluate preferences and needs and aid in the selection process for your next vehicle.

Test driving a vehicle is about more than making sure the vehicle runs. Particularly when you will be checking out several options, it is helpful to take written notes of your observations for each. The following considerations are designed to help you maximize the benefits you receive from your vehicle test drive:

Cover the basics:

-Inspect the exterior and interior of the vehicle for blemishes and broken parts. Do all movable parts function properly (i.e.-console hinges, glove compartment, air conditioner vents)? Is there noticeable wear and tear? Are the tires in good condition or are they worn?
-Check for the presence of manufacturer supplied items such as the owner’s manual, spare tire and jack.

The road test:

-Assess whether the vehicle accommodates your body type and that of the other members of your household. This includes noting how easy or difficult it is for you to enter and exit the vehicle, whether there is adequate space in the seats, and whether seats are sufficiently comfortable for everyday use as well as long trips.

-Drive the vehicle in various traffic conditions. Testing the vehicle both in traffic and on the highway can help give you an idea of how the vehicle performs overall. Be sure to keep the radio off during the drive to ensure that you are able to hear any questionable noises the vehicle may produce.

-Every component of the vehicle counts. Test for functionality of power windows, door locks, sunroof, trunk mechanism, radio, air conditioning, heater, emergency brake, windshield wipers, lights, blinkers, and so on. Test every component large and small to prevent discovering unpleasant surprises after the deal is done.

-Listen carefully. Listen and feel for inconsistencies or odd occurrences when starting, driving and idling. Pay attention to how the vehicle shifts, brakes, and accelerates, noting any behavior that seems out of the ordinary. Rattling, vibrating or misalignment are issues that should be addressed.

-Judge your complete experience with the vehicle. While it is important to consider all of the small details you notice when test driving a particular vehicle, you must also have the mindset to evaluate your overall experience. You may discover that a certain vehicle feels completely right, while another seems completely wrong, even when you cannot pinpoint the exact grounds for your impression.

Also note that small problems do not have to be deal breakers. You may opt to simply repair an issue if everything else about a vehicle is perfect, or you may be able to work out an arrangement with the dealer. To get the most from your used vehicle test drive, pay attention to the details without losing sight of your overall experience with the vehicle.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading provider of Austin TX used cars. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.