Reliability Safety Gas mileage Options
There has never been a better time to buy a used car:
1993 GEO METRO XFI46 MPG HIGHWAY50 HORSEPOWER$1,000-$3,000
2008 SMART CAR41 MPG HIGHWAY70 HORSEPOWER$12,000-$18,000
Determine your transportation needs Have a clear idea of the amount of money
you would like to spend Do some research, some cars are more
expensive to maintain than others Decide if you would like shop for a car at a
dealer, private party, or both
Good selection with many cars in one place Financing may be available A mechanic is usually onsite If you have problems after the sale it may be
easier to get restitution from a dealer
Price: if a seller wants to make a quick sale you may be able to get a good deal
You may be able to purchase from the original owner
You get the chance to question the owner on his or her driving habits
You may have access to service records
1. 100-point used car check list 2. Paper, pencil, and calculator3. Flashlight 4. Magnet 5. Paper towels6. CD or tape
1. Make sure body lines are straight2. Make sure panels align evenly3. Look for mismatched paint colors4. Look for warping and excessive corrosion5. Doors should open and close smoothly6. Check tires for signs of uneven wear7. Check for damaged to CV boots, leaking shocks ,
bent frame or paint overspray 8. Use a magnet to check for body filler
1. Look under hood for excessive dirt and grime and signs of leaks
1. Check the oil at normal operating temperature
3. Check coolant using a hydrometer
3. With the enginewarm check the transmissionfluid dipstick
1. Have someone else start the engine then observe the output of the tailpipe
1. Check all electrical components and make sure they are all working
2. Turn on the heat and make sure the heater blows hot air 3. Check the acceleration it should be smooth 4. Listen for clunking or delayed engagement, both signs of
a failing transmission 5. Check the steering by letting go of the wheel, the car
should stay on a relatively straight bead on a flat stretch, listen for noise during turns
6. Mix your route between city, highway, and suburban roads, bumpy roads will give your shocks and struts a test run
There are really only two kinds of used cars based on overall use : the “In-Town Car” and the “Commuter Car”
In-Town cars are driven primarily in stop and go traffic
Commuter cars are driven primarily on the highway
Always look for Commuter Cars and avoid In-Town cars
Inspect the trunk for wear, damage, and staining
Inspect the backseats and carpets for food stains
Check for missing buttons on radio or other controls, broken air vents, and chewing gum in the ashtray
Look for excessive wear on door panels
Any car with over 200,000 miles Salvage title Fleet vehicles Steering Problems Transmission Problems Excessive engine noise Oil, coolant, or transmission leaks Heavy smoke from the exhaust Electrical components that don’t work Metal shavings on or near engine
With out a doubt, having a mechanic inspect your vehicle is the best way to protect yourself from buying a lemon
Dilemma: at $50 to $100 per inspection this can cut into your car buying budget
Also, some problems may not be evident at the time of the inspection
Dealers are out to make money selling a car, selling your trade-in, and financing the deal
If you have a trade-in avoid negotiating a price until the final price for your “new“ car is finalized
Always check the Kelly Blue Book value at www.kkb.com. Most cars will fall into the “good” category
Most dealers use Retail Installment Sales Contracts or RISCs which have notoriously high interest rates and late payment penalties
If you need to finance have your own financing approved before you go shopping. A loan from a credit union is a usually the best option
Before you go shopping be sure to get a free copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com
The state of Michigan has no “Lemon Law” in regard to used cars
Cars bought from a private party are sold “as is no warranty”
Cars bought at a dealer can be sold as is no warranty or may come with a limited warranty
“We’ll pay off your trade no matter how much you owe!”
What they will do is put what you owe on your trade-in on top of the amount you are financing for your car purchase at a no-so-hot interest rate. The monthly payment seems manageable because it has been stretched out to 60-70 months
Dealer Prep FeesYou must pay this amount for “prep fees” to clean the car, fill any fluid and do a safety check. Although not illegal these fees are certainly unethical, check for dealer prep fees before you sign
The Bait and Switch A dealer advertises several used cars at great prices. You
come to the dealer requesting the cheap car. The dealer says those sold out quickly, but you should look at ______a comparable car at a higher price
Packing the Contract This occurs when the dealer includes unwanted and
unnecessary add-ons into the sales contract such as protective spray coatings for undercarriage, etc. Read the fine print
Lying about trade-in value If your trade-in has fewer than 100,000 miles and few
flaws the dealer should offer you something close to blue book
The dealer may tell you that you need to purchase “Gap” insurance in order to take the car home. Chances are you are already covered under your current policy, call your insurance company to verify
The spot delivery scam occurs when a dealer attempts to make more money from the sale by saying your original finance contract was rejected. You must take the car back and reapply for financing (at a higher interest rate)
http://www.voaautoauction.org/ (Pontiac)http://annarbor.craigslist.org/http://www.aachenauto.com/auto_sales.htmhttp://autos.mlive.com/http://www.nationalautoliquidators.com/ (Lenox)
Tire rotation Oil change Coolant flush and fill Air and cabin filter change Transmission fluid change Use the library’s car care
resources available on our webpage
Once you bring your new care home you’ll want to take care of some routine maintenance:
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