| Buying a used car can either be a wise or a foolish | | | | Private sellers usually sell at a cheaper price. The |
| move. Someone with no background or knowledge | | | | advantage though of buying from a dealer is that it |
| whatsoever on finding a good buy might just be | | | | usually comes with good warranty. |
| duped into a bad deal and end up with somebody | | | | Be bold enough to scout from private sellers if you |
| else's garbage. But for the knowledgeable buyer, a | | | | are confident that you can assess the condition of |
| significant amount of money might be saved by | | | | the vehicle fairly well. If not, maybe you could bring a |
| settling with a second hand car. | | | | mechanic to check out the used bvehicle. |
| Here are some tips to set you on the right track. | | | | When opting to buy from used car dealers, be |
| 1. CONSIDER THE KIND OF CAR YOU NEED. | | | | careful not to be taken in by persuasive talk. Don't |
| It's okay to stick to a price range or budget. But first | | | | take their word for it, check the car yourself. |
| consider the kind of car you be need. Prices vary | | | | 5. TEST DRIVE BASICS |
| according to the brand and make of a car. For | | | | Be sure to watch out for these:a. Does the car |
| instance, a small sedan is cheaper, but if you'd pack | | | | swerve on either direction? (Also, see if the tires |
| that car with lots of people or packages, that would | | | | have uneven wear.) If so, it would need a wheel |
| cause tearing or breakdown. This would necessitate | | | | alignment.b. Is the air cool enough? If not, check if it's |
| lots of repair jobs which would mean more expenses | | | | simply a lack of freeon or worse.c. Are the brakes in |
| for you. | | | | good condition?d. Do you hear unusual sounds? If so, |
| 2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. | | | | the engine might have problems. |
| Check out the classifieds for the regular market price | | | | 6. INTERIOR CHECKLIST |
| ranges on the type of car that you are going to buy. | | | | The condition of the interior gives you a clue as to |
| Look out for used cars in the neighborhood. Many | | | | how much the car has been used and taken cared |
| times, you will get a better deal by negotiating with | | | | of. Also, a very low mileage reading on a badly |
| the owner directly. | | | | looking interior is a sign of meter tampering. |
| 3. CHEAP IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST. | | | | 7. CHECK THE EXTERIOR FOR RUST AND |
| Don't be fooled by the price. Consider the amount of | | | | PAINTOVERS. |
| money you will still need to shell out to recondition | | | | It might have been in an accident before. |
| the vehicle once you buy it. If you find the price to | | | | 8. CHECK THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE FOR |
| be considerably lower than what is the average retail | | | | SIGNS OF LEAKAGE. |
| or dealer price you find on web sites like, or kelly's | | | | 9. CHECK THE OIL. |
| blue book, than it is a warning sign that either there is | | | | Oil should be clear. BLACK colored oil is not a good |
| a mistake in pricing (highly unlikely with a dealer) or | | | | sign. |
| there is either over mileage or the car has been in an | | | | 10. CHECK THE MUFFLER FOR LEAKS. |
| accident. Ask questions and you can even search for | | | | A WHITE or BLUE colored emission would be the sign |
| the car's history with VIN # on the internet. | | | | of engine problems. |
| 4. WHERE TO SCOUT | | | | Happy used car hunting! . |