© 2004-2008 Car Casher LLC
Member of AMF Media Company
All rights reserved.
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| Car Buying Tips and Advice |
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 How to buy a used car?
Used car sales have gained momentum in the past several years in
response to not only steady increase of new car prices but also
improved durability and longevity of previously owned vehicles.
It has also became more appealing to buy a used vehicle due
to the fact that brand new car loses a large portion of its
purchase value the minute it leaves the dealer's lot.
With benefits, however, there are things that car buyers should
keep in mind when considering purchasing a previously owned
vehicle, such as a possibility of unknowingly buying a problem car.
This situation, however, been improved over the past few years
with introduction of pre-owned certification programs.
Determining the quality of a vehicle by a simple test-drive is
simply not enough. After weeding out non-credible sellers and
vehicles that aren't worth professional inspection, it is highly
recommended that the vehicle is examined by a licensed professional.
Although CARFAX report can often provide a rough idea of what
kind vehicle you're dealing with, it is not recommended to rely
on it alone when considering a purchase.
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Ask Questions
Prior to visiting the dealer or the owner of the car it is
very important to ask questions over the phone. Write down the
answers that the seller gave you and compare for inconsistencies
with answers you receive when you visit. Should any appear it
is clear that the seller is concealing information about the
vehicle and it's time to go. Always ask questions of a neutral
nature as to not imply the answer. Consider asking the following
questions:
Why are you selling the vehicle?
Are you the original owner?
How many miles/kilometers are on the odometer?
What is the condition of the vehicle?
Has the vehicle ever been in an accident?
Do you have service records?
How much are you asking for it?
We recommend that you don't ask for the price of the vehicle
up-front and ask other questions first as it would be easier
at the negotiation stage.
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Inspecting the vehicle
The condition of the vehicle is the most important factor to
consider when choosing a car. The price of the car would vary
greatly depending on how the vehicle had been cared for. Before
you invite a professional to inspect the vehicle there's a
checklist that you can go through yourself. What you are looking
for is major problems with the vehicle to rule it out or smaller
problems (tires, light bulbs, etc.) to use as arguments at the
negotiating stage. It is important to remember that you should
always inspect the vehicle in daylight, as it is very easy
to miss certain problems when light source is insufficient.
Dents & Rust
Carefully walk around the vehicle paying special attention
to areas around and on the bottom of doors, around the wheels and
wheel wells. If there is any kind of bubbling of paint, it means the
rust is there and it will most likely result in an expensive
repair down the road. Try using the fridge magnet on the panes of
the vehicle and on places in question. If it doesn't stick, it
means the non-metallic bodyfiller has been used and most likely
the vehicle has been previously damaged. Pay special attention to
the way hood, doors and trunk close. If the spacing isn't even
or doors, hood or trunk don't close on the same pane, it is
certain the vehicle had been previously damaged in a motor
vehicle accident. Look for signs of fresh paint or color
inconsistencies. Remember, minor scratches (that you could deal
with) are great tools when negotiating a price.
Tires
Tires are great indicators of how the car has been previously
cared for. When inspecting, look for uneven wear, an indicator
that the car is out of alignment, and/or had been previously
damaged. If the tires are worn, that would help you at the
negotiating table. Same goes for brake pads and rotors. Make
sure that the tire wear is consistent with odometer reading.
Question everything that doesn't make sense to you.
Engine
Overall condition of the engine can tell you a lot about
the vehicle. Signs of oil or other fluids leakage is something
you should watch out for. Check for rust on strut towers to which
front suspension is attached. If you see any signs of fresh paint
that should signal previous damage to the vehicle. Check oil levels
in the engine by pulling the dipstick. Low oil levels would
indicate the car hasn't been getting the care it deserves,
something that could haunt you in the future. Complete your
check up by starting the engine to make sure it starts
smoothly.
Once you complete these simple checks, it is time for a test
drive.
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Test Drive
Prior to taking off, get into the car and make sure that you are
comfortable. Make seats and mirrors adjustments, check the
distance to the pedals, steering wheel, shifter, ensure the
vehicle has enough head room. Make sure the vehicle has
suffucient visibility, try driving in reverse.
Once on the road, check for acceleration and braking. Does it
have enough power? Make sure it doesn't make unhealthy noises.
Does the transmission shift timely and smoothly? During braking
hold the steering wheel lightly, see if the car pulls to one side,
a clear sign of problems. Do the breaks squeak? Does the brake
pedal or steering wheel shake or vibrate? All of these things
are signs that there are major problems with vehicle's suspension
and/or braking system, which will cost you dearly in the
future.
Take the vehicle off-road. Is the ride smooth and are you in
control of the vehicle? Ensure the suspension doesn't make the
clicking sound or bounce when you go over the bumps, an
indicator of leaking struts.
Once you're back from a test-drive, thoroughly go through the
checks mentioned before to ensure no additional leakage appears.
listen to the engine running. Are there any strange sounds?
Make sure the exhaust is clear. Ask for vehicle's VIN, ensure
that the paperwork corresponds to the VIN on the actual vehicle.
Compare the owners name in the papers with the seller's
identity.
Proceed with price negotiations. Rather than asking for a deal,
bring up all the shortcomings that you have noticed. Every
detail is worth a reasonable discount, and the seller understands
that. It is also a good idea to verify the asking price with
those in the Blue Book. When the price is agreed upon, it's
time to call your mechanic to come and inspect the vehicle.
The seller should have no problem with this, unless he's trying
to conceal something that you haven't noticed already.
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If you follow these steps, you're likely to
select a car that you will enjoy for years to come.
© 2008 CarCasher.Com
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