Chapman Motors

Consumer Reports Ranks 5 Best Used Cars for Teenagers

Posted on June 13th, 2013 No Comments

Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving consumers the information they need to protect themselves and make smart purchases, recently released their list of the top five used cars for teenagers. These cars were chosen based on data regarding car performance and subjective insights from the team at Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports’ list of five used cars that are best for teens focused on more recently produced cars, with all vehicles coming from the 2008-2010 model years, and boast average reliability or better, according to recent survey results from Consumer Reports. As stated by the organization, the top five cars for teens to purchase include:

Hyundai Sonata
Chevrolet Malibu
Volkswagen Jetta
Mazda6
Ford Focus Sedan

When searching for a used car for your teenager, you can find these and other reliable used cars at one of our eleven Chapman Motor Sales dealerships. Visit us today to begin your search.

Texas Ranked 19th for Car Repair Costs

Posted on June 11th, 2013 No Comments

A recent study conducted by the automotive service website CarMD ranked Texas as the 19th overall most expensive state for car repairs in the United States. The study looked at the average cost of repairs, both labor and parts, for a customer with a check engine light notification. For Texas, the average cost was $364.30, making it cheaper than New Jersey, the most expensive state at $392.99 per repair, but considerably more expensive than Vermont, the cheapest state at only $269.72 per repair, though this statistic is slightly misleading, as the next cheapest state’s repairs cost $310.49.

As this study demonstrates, Texas car owners could certainly be in a worse position when it comes to the costs of repairs. However, it does also show that repairing your car can still be an expensive proposition. Used car owners have an advantage over the owners of newer cars in this regard because a used car’s check engine light repair is often less costly than that of a new one.

At Chapman Motor Sales, our huge selection of reliable used vehicles is perfect for any driver’s needs. If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, stop by one of our 11 locations in the Austin area or visit our website to browse our inventory online.

vehicle reliability Chapman Motor Sales, repair costs, vehicle repairs

TrueCar.com Releases List of Incredible Used Car Deals

Posted on June 7th, 2013 No Comments

For many individuals and families in the market for a new-to-them vehicle, used vehicles offer a way to get an incredible vehicle at an amazingly affordable price. However, used cars offer different levels of savings to buyers. Recently, the automobile market tracking website TrueCar.com issued a list of 2- to 3-year-old vehicle models that individuals can buy for close to 50% of the cost of a new vehicle, many of which are luxury vehicles. The five vehicles they highlighted include:

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — 43.3% savings compared to a new vehicle
Land Rover Range Rover — 46.8% savings compared to a new vehicle
Lincoln MKZ — 46.9% savings compared to a new vehicle
Chevrolet Impala — 47% savings compared to a new vehicle
Volvo S80 — 48.1% savings compared to a new vehicle

If you are in the market for a new-to-you car, Chapman Motor Sales has an impressive selection of vehicles, ensuring we can help you find the right car for the right price. To see our inventory, stop by any of our Austin area locations, or check out our complete vehicle inventory online.

used car values Chapman Motor Sales, Used car prices, value

Tips for buying a used hybrid vehicle

Posted on June 6th, 2013 No Comments

When buying any vehicle, there are many factors that must be taken into account. This is true for used cars, especially hybrid vehicles, which have recently entered the used car market in greater numbers.

As used hybrid cars can save you a great deal of money, both in the short term with a decreased purchase price and lower insurance rates, and in the long term with decreased gas costs, these types of vehicles are smart buys for those in need of a new-to-them car. If you are looking to buy a used hybrid car though, make sure to consider the following:

Have the car inspected by a knowledgeable auto mechanic who has experience with hybrid vehicles
You may have to purchase a new battery for the car, which will add to the price, if the car is more than five years old and has been driven over 100,000 miles
Check the maintenance records of the car. Hybrid cars typically have brakes that last longer, so a higher number of brake replacements or repairs may be a sign that the car was driven roughly and could be worn down in other parts

At Chapman Motor Sales, each of our 11 used car dealerships have a wide range of used cars from which to choose. Stop by any location to begin browsing for your new car.

hybrid cars, Purchasing a used car Buying used cars, Used hybrid cars

Used Car Costs at Three-Year Low

Posted on June 4th, 2013 No Comments

According to Kelley Blue Book, the prices of used cars hit a three-year low this spring, as the boom in new car sales has helped to ease demand in the used car market and new car-buyers offload their used vehicles. In April, the price of a one year-old used car was only 81.5 percent of the cost that the same car would be if it were new, a savings of more than $100 per month on a five-year car loan.

Encouragingly, the new car market doesn’t appear to be losing steam anytime soon. May was another strong month for car sales, and analysts continue to forecast strong growth in the new car market. As a result, used car costs may be expected to continue to remain low for the foreseeable future, making now a great time to buy a used vehicle.

Chapman Motor Sales offers an extensive selection of used cars for all needs and budgets. If you’re looking at buying a car, stop by one of our 11 Austin-area locations or browse our inventory online to find the right vehicle for you.

Car sales Austin used car dealership, Chapman Motor Sales, Used car prices

Tesla Plans to Build Electric Car Charging Stations across Nation

Posted on May 31st, 2013 No Comments

Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors Inc. has announced plans to build a network of high speed electric car charging stations across the United States, making it possible to travel cross-country by electric car. Currently, Tesla runs 8 electric car charging stations across the United States, and plans to triple that number by the end of this month, with plans to reach 100 stations within the year.

While there are many benefits to electric cars, one of the greatest drawbacks that many cite to these vehicles is the relative lack of time a car can go without a charge. With an increased number of quick-charging stations, individuals now might be able to take their electric vehicles on trips across the US and even into Canada.

Another critique of these vehicles is the price tag on new models. Fortunately, with considerable growth in the electric car market, more and more used electric cars are becoming available. If you are looking for an electric, hybrid, or other eco-friendly used vehicle, check out the incredible selection of vehicles available at Chapman Motor Sales. You can check out our impressive selection of vehicles online, or stop by any of our Austin-area dealerships and let us help you find the right car at the right price.

electric car Chapman Motor Sales, electric cars, energy efficient cars

Used cars and Obama’s fuel-economy rule

Posted on May 30th, 2013 No Comments

A research study published by Mark R. Jacobsen and Arthur A. van Benthem through the National Bureau of Economic Research in May suggests that Obama’s fuel-economy rules will be approximately 13-23% less effective than intended due to used cars being on the road.

In August, Obama and his administration announced that all passenger cars made by 2025 must average at least 54.5 miles per gallon. While his administration believes that this new fuel-economy rule will save about 2.2. million barrels of oil for the U.S. per day, this may not be the real number. According to Jacobsen and van Benthem’s study, the scrappage rate of older vehicles is likely to make that number lower.

In fact, according to the new study, people are predicted to keep vehicles around longer if new car prices should rise or the price of gas increases.

Fortunately, you can easily find used cars that are in excellent condition and have great gas mileage at any of our 11 Chapman Motor Sales locations. Call today to speak with one of our used car experts about the vehicles we have available.

American cars, car research Obama's fuel-economy rule, used cars

Economists Expect Another Strong Month for Vehicle Sales

Posted on May 29th, 2013 No Comments

May sales for new cars in the United States are expected to continue the trend for strong vehicle sales that 2013 has so far seen. According to industry estimates, sales should increase around 8% for the month, with total vehicle transactions approaching 1.43 million units. At this pace, auto sales in the United States are expected to top 15 million for the year, an excellent number that demonstrates the continuing health of the U.S. auto market and the economy as a whole.

These new car sales numbers also bode well for buyers in the used car market because as many as one in three new car purchases involve a trade-in of an older vehicle, increasing the supply and variety of cars available to used car shoppers. This can help to lower prices and improve value for consumers, both highly positive outcomes for used car buyers.

At Chapman Motor Sales, we have an extensive selection of used vehicles in a wide variety of makes and models, sure to meet the needs of any individual or family. If you’re in the market for a used car, visit one of our 11 Austin-area locations or browse our inventory at our website today.

Car sales auto industry, Chapman Motor Sales, vehicle sales

The Most “American” Cars

Posted on May 24th, 2013 No Comments

In today’s global economy, the goods we purchase can often have their origins in far-away places. This is especially true of large manufactured products like cars, whose component parts can come from all around the world. As a result, “buying American” can be more complicated than just purchasing a vehicle from one of Detroit’s Big Three.

Kogod Now, a digital magazine published by American University, has helpfully compiled the following list of the 10 most American-made cars available, listed in descending order:

GMC Acadia
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
Dodge Avenger
Ford F-Series Pickup
Chrysler 200
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Compass
Jeep Patriot
Ford Mustang

At Chapman Motor Sales, we offer a great selection of used vehicles, both those made in America and around the world. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle at an affordable price, you can check out our inventory online or come by one of our many Austin-area dealerships.

American cars American-made cars, domestic cars, used vehicles

Ford to quit production of cars in Australia in 2016

Posted on May 23rd, 2013 No Comments

Ford Motor Co. has recently announced that it plans to shut down production of its cars in Australia by October 2016.

The company has two automobile plants in the country – one in Geelong that produces engine parts and one in Broadmeadows that is a vehicle assembly plant. This will cause the loss of around 1,200 jobs.

Ford is citing the strength of the Australian dollar, decreased sales, and higher costs as the reason for closing these plants. Bob Graziano, the chief executive of Ford Australia, said that Ford lost the equivalent of $581 million in Australia over the past five years.

At Chapman Motor Sales, you can find a variety of different used cars, including Ford vehicles, at a price that is affordable for you. Contact us or visit one of our 11 locations to begin your search for a used vehicle today.

American cars, Car sales Car production, Chapman Motor Sales