Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A woman is handing a man a set of keys after a car purchase at Chevy dealer in Norfolk.

Starting Off With Your Next Car-Buying Experience

Buying a car can be confusing, and getting started is usually the most challenging part. As the famous Chinese proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.” The first step in your journey is to determine what make of vehicle you are going to select. If you want to buy American, Chevy is an excellent choice. Many Chevy models have become icons, and they are known as one of the most reliable American manufacturers. If you are from Virginia, it would be a great idea to check out a Chevy Dealer near Norfolk.

Chevy’s Proud History

Chevrolet has a long and proud history, starting back in 1911. Founder Louis-Joseph Chevrolet was a race car driver and engineer from Sweden. He worked as a mechanic around the turn of the century. Eventually, Chevrolet was hired by FIAT as a race car driver. He was a successful driver for several years, racing until 1909. After that, he started designing his overhead-valve six-cylinder engine. He later built his design in his machine shop. Eventually, Chevrolet became an engineer and worked for a French car manufacturer in the United States before founding his own company.

From his extensive resume, it is easy to tell that Chevrolet knew his way around a motor vehicle. When it came to founding his own company, the Chevrolet Motor Company, he and his partners prioritized quality from the get-go. The first Chevy-built automobiles were produced and sold in 1914, and they haven’t stopped since. While other companies have come and gone, Chevy has stood the test of time. Although he isn’t American-born, Louis Chevrolet symbolizes the American dream and what can be done with a vision and the will to see it through.

These days cars are built and suited for many purposes, with some Chevys better-suited for Norfolk drivers than others. Our dense population leads to accidents, high traffic, and gas mileage concerns. In picking a car, residents should consider their commute and day-to-day usage, not the occasional trip. When driving on overused roads, it is crucial to keep safety in mind, along with gas mileage and price point.

A red 2021 Chevy Malibu is shown from the rear driving by a brick building.

The Chevy Malibu

If you are in need of a family friendly sedan, look no further than the 2021 Chevy Malibu. This fun little car starts at just $22,140 and is perfect for family travelers in Norfolk. You don’t have to worry about maneuvering the streets in this sleek design, nor does your teen driver. With the Chevy Teen Driver technology, you can keep an eye on your new driver’s habits without having to be in the car with them. Features like audio muting and Buckle to Drive will ensure that your teen and their friends are buckled in safely before they can drive anywhere. This is the car for you and your family. Not to mention, the Malibu offers drivers 29 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway, meaning you will be saving on gas too.

The Chevy Spark

For a more affordable car that excels at city driving, you should check out the Chevy Spark. The 2021 Spark is Chevy’s most affordable offering, and it is efficient and downright adorable. As a subcompact car, the Spark navigates through traffic easily and can park in tight spaces with ease. In Norfolk, fuel efficiency is imperative, and here is where the Spark shines. You will get up to 30 miles per gallon in the city. If you have to travel the highways, you can expect an incredible 38 miles per gallon. Don’t worry about finding a gas station; you’ll barely ever have to fill up the Spark. Since it starts at $13,400, it won’t make a dent in your wallet at the pump or at the dealership.

For a small vehicle, the Spark is stacked with technology and safety features. You can easily connect your smartphone to the 7” diagonal color touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Available built-in 4G LTE WiFi lets your Spark become a mobile hotspot. This connectivity and entertainment access turns any trip with friends and family into an entertainment-packed event. When transporting yourself or others, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is up to the task of protecting everyone. The Spark has a ton of safety features that do just that, offering peace of mind wherever you go.

The Spark has 10 standard airbags to protect you from impact in the event of an accident. Driver assistance features are your second set of eyes on the road. A standard rear vision camera helps show you objects behind the vehicle with an overlay to assist with parking. Available automatic braking can activate the brakes using an on-camera to prevent rear-end accidents if you are traveling at less than 37 miles per hour. Forward collision alert also utilizes a camera to warn you if you are following too closely. Finally, lane departure warning alerts you of any unintentional lane drifting before it’s too late.

A close up is showing a woman using the infotainment system on a 2021 Chevy Spark.

The Chevy Trailblazer

Our next recommendation for Norfolk drivers is the unbeatable 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. This compact SUV won’t burn a hole in your pocket. The starting MSRP of $19,000 is a reasonable price for the extensive menu of amenities that the Trailblazer has to offer. This SUV seats up to five with a whopping fuel rating of up to 28 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. The Trailblazer’s efficiency is due to its environmentally-conscious Ecotec 1.2-liter Turbo Engine. Chevy’s safety assistance features come standard, so you don’t have to splurge to get all the goods.

The Trailblazer’s technology suite includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning, as well as available rear park assist. It also adds front pedestrian braking to help reduce the risk of colliding with a pedestrian ahead of you (when traveling at less than 50 miles per hour during the day). Like the forward collision alert, the following distance indicator helps prevent you from following too closely. It shows on display the actual time gap between you and the vehicle ahead so you can gauge a safe following speed. An additional system, the intellibeam, saves power by turning the high-beam headlamps on and off depending on traffic conditions. Intellibeam also helps keep you from blinding other drivers at night.

Look No Further Than Chevrolet

Chevy is a reliable company with over a hundred years of experience in manufacturing great cars that provide an even better value. There are so many top Chevy models to choose from, and the options listed above just scratch the surface. The Malibu, the Spark, and the Trailblazer are all ideal options for Norfolk drivers. A plethora of safety features and integrated tech will please even the pickiest buyers.

Chevy’s efficient gas-mileage helps keep our skies clear in a congested city environment. Our historic city by the ocean is a beautiful place to live, and buying a car with good fuel efficiency will help to keep it beautiful. Wherever you go in Norfolk or beyond, Chevy’s got your back. Check out your local Chevy dealer to find a car that will suit all of your needs while you traverse our wonderful city.