Some people love cars. They visit car shows and check out the new models as soon as they arrive on the floor. They visit car manufacturers’ websites and build a dream car based on the options available. They know all the stats for all the models, and they judge their friends by how well they maintain their vehicles.
Then there are the rest of us.
Some people drive through the city and never notice different makes and models of cars. Their minds register that someone is passing them, but they don’t pay attention to what type of car it is. In fact, these people may be hard-pressed to come up with any facts about their own vehicle that they drive every day.
If you are a person whose primary goal is to find a nice used car in your area, this article is for you. In it, we will discuss tips on finding a reliable used car.
- Learn how to use car pricing tools to find market value.
If you have been spinning on this third rock from the sun for any length of time, you know that car prices are negotiable. To determine the market value for a car, many people turn to two resources: Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds. Visit those websites when looking at a vehicle to determine if the asking price is too high or just right.
2. Drive the car.
It is incredible how many people purchase cars without driving them. Even if you are not a car expert, you should be able to feel if something is terribly wrong with a vehicle.
Drive it on the highway to see if the car starts to shake. Listen to the engine. Look for any warning lights. Analyze the handling. Turn on the heater, air conditioner, radio, and windshield wipers. Sound the horn and make sure the brakes seem reliable. Look for smoke coming out of the exhaust.
You may not know the difference between an alternator and a carburetor, but you have a good idea of how a car is supposed to feel.
3. Take it to a mechanic.
Of course, you could make a big production of opening the hood of your car to “check out the engine,” but do you know what a proper engine should look like? You would probably be alarmed if there was nothing under the hood, but other than that, you may not know what constitutes a quality machine.
Instead of relying on your knowledge, have your mechanic take a look at the vehicle. He or she may charge you for the service, but this will be the best $50 you ever spent if a significant problem is uncovered.
4. Look for a maintenance log.
Check the glove box for a maintenance log or receipts for repairs. While you are at it, look for a receipt that gives details on the last tire purchase. Check the condition of tires using the Abe Lincoln test.
5. Check the consumer guides.
If you have access to car consumer guides, you may spend a little time researching the car that interests you. These guides are amazingly accurate. They can tell you that this specific model is known for having exhaust issues, or if the frame tends to rust quickly.
You may have to pay to earn access to the consumer guides, but it may be well worth it if you are trying to compare two or three different models. You may also consider visiting your local library to gain access to the rating information.
6. Read the reviews for the car dealership.
Take a look at the online reviews for the car dealership. While you shouldn’t expect them to be perfect, you may become concerned if many of the reviews were about the dealership not backing the vehicles when something quickly went wrong.
Also, see how quickly they respond to negative criticism. Take into account how the staff reacts to poor reviews. If the situations are resolved, and the customers post positive follow-up reviews, this heeds well for the dealership. If the responses to the negative reviews are not professional, you may consider taking your business elsewhere.
You also need to go with your gut. If the price of the car is way below market value, and you don’t understand why the dealership or owner wants to get rid of the vehicle, you may want to steer clear of the transaction. You don’t have to be a car expert to smell a rat.