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After The Test Drive

2008/09/29 By jcme Leave a Comment

The test drive is the most important part of the used car buying process, but it isn’t the only thing you need to do when looking at used cars. After the test drive, there are some things you need to do, as well:

With the engine still running, take a look under the hood. Check out the engine. Are there any new leaks that weren’t there before? Are there any odd sounds, or a clattering noise? Are there any unexpected odors, such as the smell of oil or coolant? is the exhaust clear?

Next, check under the car. Look for leaks. Be aware that the air conditioner may leak water, which is normal.

Ask to see the title. Compare the title to the Vehicle Identification Number on the car. (The VIN, which is different for every car on the road, is located either at the front of the dashboard along the windshield on the driver’s side, or on the driver’s doorjamb.)

If possible, call your own mechanic to arrange for an inspection of the vehicle. This will help you to discover any ongoing problems that you otherwise might not have been able to notice, without a mechanic’s expert eye.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car

The Value Of Buying Used Cars

2008/09/26 By jcme Leave a Comment

Let’s face it, more and more people are buying used cars than ever before. There are a variety of things that have caused this, from the rising cost of new vehicles to the economic woes that seem endemic to our time. The good news is that used cars can be a very valuable thing.

New vehicles lose a high percentage of their value the moment that they are driven off the dealer’s car lot. Used cars, then, become a matter of practicality. Unfortunately, when you buy a used car, you also run the risk of inheriting someone else’s vehicle problems. You just don’t know what is wrong with the car until you’ve driven it for a while.

One of the best values to come along in a long time has been the certified used vehicle. Certified used vehicles are vehicles that have undergone a vigorous inspection process. In many cases, this inspection process includes more than 100 items, and checked and certified by a manufacturer-approved mechanic.

A certified used car will often cost more than a car you buy from a private individual. On the other hand, you can buy a certified used car knowing that everything is in good working order. You pay a little bit more, but the peace of mind it brings is extremely valuable.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: Buying a Used Car, used cars

Trading In Used Cars

2008/09/24 By jcme Leave a Comment

It isn’t at all uncommon for someone to trade in a used car when buying another used car. The fact is that, especially as the economy moves downward and the price of new cars goes upward, many people are choosing to buy a newer car, rather than a new car.

Trading your used car in at the dealership has a big advantage over selling the car yourself. It is a whole lot simpler. You don’t have to take out an ad, wait around for buyers, try to convince someone to buy the car or anything along those lines. You drive the car to the dealer and negotiate a trade in value with the dealer.

In some cases, you’ll receive less money when you trade your used car in than if you sell it yourself. Of course, the trade-off is that you don’t have to spend all of that extra time and hassle.

When you get ready to trade in your used car, make sure you clean the car first. Know what it’s condition is like. Know what its good points and bad points are. Point out those good points, such as things like optional accessories or its high demand in the marketplace. Point out awards the vehicle has won. All of these things can increase the trade-in value.

Eliminate the hassle of selling your used car today by trading it in.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: Buying a Used Car, trade in, used cars

Does Your Used Car Need New Brakes?

2008/09/22 By jcme Leave a Comment

When you’re looking at used cars, one of the things you need to pay particular attention to is the brakes.

Your car’s brakes are one of the most important safety features in your vehicle. Your brakes are all that stands between you and an accident. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to know when your brakes are ready to be replaced. While many cars have a warning light that will come on inside your vehicle when its time to change the brakes, those lights don’t always work. For thins reason, you need to listen and look for other signs that it may be time for new brakes.

First off, you should understand that the front brakes will generally need to be replaced sooner than the rear brakes. This is especially true in front-wheel drive vehicles.

In some cases, all that will need to be replaced are the brake pads. If you can hear a high squealing noise when you use the brakes, it can mean that the soft metal located on the brake pads has become think and worn down. That will usually trigger the warning light, if it’s functioning properly.

Beyond just your brake pads, you should also have a mechanic check your brake lines, calipers, and rotors on a regular basis. If your car is leaking brake fluid (or any fluid, for that matter) you should bring it in to your vehicle service center right away.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: brakes, repair, service, used car

Things To Look For During A Test Drive

2008/09/19 By jcme Leave a Comment

When you test drive a used car, there are some important things to look for. If you’re not sure what to look for, it can be easy to miss some important things, and wind up with a car that really isn’t right for you.

The first thing you should think about when you get behind the wheel of a used car is how you fit. Does the seat feel comfortable? Is there enough head room and leg room? Can you see all of the gauges, and reach all of the controls?

If possible, test drive the car when the engine is cold. See if it gives you any trouble starting. If it does, it can reveal a chronic problem.

While you’re on your test drive, you’ll want to ask specific question, such as:

  • How does the vehicle accelerate from a stop?
  • How is visibility? Are the blind spots pronounced?
  • Are there noises coming from the engine?
  • Does the vehicle downshift quickly?
  • How does it climb hills?
  • How are the brakes?
  • How does it take corners?
  • Are there squeaks or rattles?

By looking and listening for just a few things durng a test drive, you can save yourself a lot of trouble down the road.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: Buying a Used Car, used cars

Getting The Most With Dealer Financing

2008/09/17 By jcme Leave a Comment

When it comes to buying used car, the most common sort of auto financing that occurs is financing through the dealership. When you finance a car through the dealership, you enter into a contract with the dealership to pay the amount of money financed, plus a specified amount of interest, over a period of time. Often, the dealership will keep the contract, but in many cases it sells the contract to a bank, credit union, or finance company.

Dealer financing is convenient for the buyer. You can pick out your vehicle, sign all of the paperwork, and drive away without having to go somewhere else to get approved for a loan. In addition, dealership financing is good for the buyer in that the dealership may have a relationship with a number of finance companies, and thereby offer the buyer many options. Finally, dealerships may offer special low rate financing options from the manufacturer, as well.

There are some things you can do to get the most from dealer financing. Get your credit report ahead of time, so that you can correct any errors. Identify what your transportation needs are, so you know what kind of car to buy. Check out reviews and buying guides, to know what the price range is for the vehicle you’re looking for.

With a little preparation ahead of time, you can truly make dealer financing of your used car work for you.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: Auto Financing, dealer financing, used car

How To Inspect Your Vehicle’s Exterior

2008/09/16 By jcme Leave a Comment

One of the best ways to get the most from your used car is to keep up with maintenance and repairs. You don’t always have to bring your used car to your garage or dealership, however, to check it out. You can, and should, regularly inspect your vehicle, thereby heading off any trouble at the pass.

One type of inspection you should make on your used car is a visual inspection of your car’s exterior. Do this at least twice a month to keep your car in the best shape possible. Here are the steps involved in visually inspecting your vehicle’s exterior:

  1. Check your tires. Do they seem equally inflated? Do they seem over or underinflated? Once a month, you should check your tire pressure with a gauge, but the rest of the time a visual check will do fine.
  2. Next, look at your body and your bumper. Look for any new scratches or dings.
  3. Check beneath your vehicle to see if there are puddles or drips at all. Water will drip from your air conditioner, but that’s normal. Any other drips could indicate a leak.
  4. Watch your exhaust. If there’s smoke in your exhaust, it can indicate a problem.
  5. As always, watch for engine and fluid warning lights. If these lights come on, service your vehicle before driving any further.

Check out our Vehicle Service for all the information you need about service and repair for your vehicle.

Filed Under: Auto Repair Tagged With: maintenance, repair, service

Why You Should Get A Used Car History Report

2008/09/15 By jcme Leave a Comment

One of the best things you can do when looking at used cars is to get a used car history report. Services like CARFAX offer consumers a full report on a vehicle’s history, letting you buy with confidence and weed out many potentially problematic used cars from your list.

A used car report will tell you how many owners the vehicle has had. It will tell you what the odometer readings were when the car was sold. It can tell you if the vehicle has underwent a recall. It can tell you if the vehicle has been in an accident, and if it is considered “salvaged.” It can even tell you if a vehicle has been in a flood, or of it has previously been reported as a “lemon.”

You can get a used car history report from a variety of sources, too. Sometimes, a used car dealership may be able to provide you with a used car history report. If not, you may be able to get a report for yourself by just getting the vehicle’s VIN number. Some of the reporting services, such as CARFAX, will allow unlimited reports for a given period of time, allowing you to check not only one particular used car, but any number of used cars you might be considering.

In addition, you should always shop for used cars at reputable dealers. When you combine a trustworthy dealer with a car history report, you can be confident that you’re getting a quality used vehicle.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: Buying a Used Car, used cars

5 Used Car Buying Tips

2008/09/12 By jcme Leave a Comment

Getting a used car can be one of the best decisions you can make. Not only do you save money on the cost of used cars, you’ll probably be able to get a lot more car for your money than if you bought new.

Still, there are some things you can do when you’re in the market for a used car to make sure you get the most bang for your buck. Here are five great ways to guarantee your used car is the right one, and at the right price:

  1. Know the book value. Whether you use Kelly Blue book or the NADA guide, you want to know what a car is worth based on its age, model, mileage, and where you’re buying it.
  2. Have the vehicle inspected. If at all possible, you should get a mechanic to independently asses the vehicle to see if there are any major issues prior to purchasing the vehicle.
  3. Take careful note of the interior. The inside of a vehicle reflects, at least in part, how the previous owner took care of the vehicle. If the inside has problems, it’s likely there may be other issues that you can’t see.
  4. Get a vehicle history. The CARFAX service, as well as other services, can give you information about a car’s history, including accidents and past odometer readings.
  5. Give it a thorough test drive. Pay attention to how the car handles, as well as how it runs. If possible, try it on different road surfaces and at different speeds to get a good feel.

There’s no reason a used car can’t be the car of your dreams, especially if you follow these simple tips.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: used cars

Things You Should Know When Buying A Used Car

2008/09/10 By jcme Leave a Comment

When you’re in the market for a used car, there are some specific things you should know about the car. Just a few simple questions can mean the difference between buying a lemon that won’t get you home and buying the used car of your dreams.

Here are some of the things to keep in mind when buying used:

Mileage. Find out how many miles are on the car, and see if the car was overused. Most cars will get about 12,000 miles per year.

Accident records. Most of the time, it may be worth getting a printed vehicle history to make sure that it hasn’t undergone any dramatic repairs. There are several companies that provide this service, and your dealer may be able to help you with this.

Features. If you’re buying a car in December, you might not think to ask if it has air conditioning. Know what you’re getting in terms of extras and amenities.

Test-drive. Give the vehicle a test drive to see if you like how it rides, and to watch for any obvious mechanical problems.

Price. Make sure you know what you can afford, whether it is cash or in the form of a monthly payment, before you ever set foot on the dealer’s lot.

Filed Under: Buying a Used Car Tagged With: Buying a Used Car, used car
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