| Spending a little time now may save you | | | | other limits or costs may apply. Before you |
| serious money later. Go to a reputable car | | | | buy the car, ask if it's still under warranty |
| repair shop and ask if you can bring the | | | | or service contract, and review that baby |
| vehicle by for a look-over. While you're | | | | carefully.Some states will require vehicle |
| there, ask what cars they have to repair most | | | | sellers to pass a vehicle inspection before a |
| often. Take heed. Also, ask what the | | | | sale is made. That's not always the case, |
| inspection includes, how long it takes, and | | | | though. To find out what your state requires, |
| the price. Always get this information in | | | | contact your state Attorney General's office |
| writing - just to be safe.Once the vehicle | | | | or a local consumer protection agency. Hey, |
| has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a | | | | it's just a phone call. And it could save you |
| written report with a cost estimate for all | | | | a real headache later!Whether you end up |
| necessary repairs. Be sure the report | | | | buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, |
| includes the vehicle's make, model and VIN. | | | | or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as |
| Go over it with a fine-toothed comb and make | | | | much as you can about the car:Examine the car |
| sure you understand every item. If you decide | | | | carefully yourself using an inspection |
| to make an offer to the dealer after | | | | checklist. You can find a checklist in many |
| approving the inspection, you can use the | | | | of the magazine articles, books and Internet |
| estimated repair costs to negotiate the price | | | | sites that deal with buying a used car. My |
| of the vehicle.Remember, private sellers | | | | favorite book that I've used several times is |
| generally are not covered by the Used Car | | | | How to Buy and Maintain a Used Car by Brad |
| Rule and don't have to use the Buyers Guide. | | | | Crouch.Once I bought a used car in August, |
| However, you can use the Guide's list of an | | | | and never thought to test the rear defroster. |
| auto's major systems as a shopping tool. You | | | | Guess what? Come November, I found out it |
| also can ask the seller if you can have the | | | | didn't work. If you're shopping in the |
| vehicle inspected by your mechanic. If he/she | | | | summer, don't forget to check the heater. And |
| says no... beware. No matter how nice the car | | | | if it's cold as ice outside, still turn that |
| appears, something fishy is going on.Now, a | | | | air on full blast and make sure it works!Ask |
| private sale likely will be on an "as is" | | | | for the car's maintenance record. If the |
| basis, unless your purchase agreement with | | | | owner doesn't have copies, contact the |
| the seller specifically states otherwise. If | | | | dealership or repair shop where most of the |
| you have a written contract, the seller has | | | | work was done. They may share their files |
| to live up to the contract. The car also may | | | | with you. Talk to the previous owner, |
| be covered by a manufacturer's warranty or a | | | | especially if the present owner is unfamiliar |
| separately purchased service contract. But | | | | with the car's history. Have the car |
| that doesn't mean that the warranty and | | | | inspected by a mechanic you hire. |
| service contract are transferable. Plus, | | | | |