10 Tips for Buying a Used Car

So you are considering buying a used vehicle and the prospect of buying a lemon has you on edge. Take a deep breath, relax and read on. There are a few ways to protect your interests and not end up buying a dream and waking up with a nightmare.

1. First things first. Don’t get stuck being suckered by the hinge! If you are buying a new or used car from a dealer one of the biggest tool they use to get you to agree to buy is called the hinge. We’ve all seen it, the person selling asks questions like this is the kind of car you’d like to see yourself in, right? While at the same time nodding their head up and down (like it is on a hinge, hence the name) this is actually taught to salesman, many of whom have seen a set of videos by a famous car salesman giving them this and other trade secrets. I know, because I sold cars and had to watch the whole series. They even made me sign a non-compete agreement because, apparently, these tapes cost thousands of dollars. No wonder Cars cost so much

2. Now that the salesman’s nods won’t suck you in, remember always enter a car dealer determined to leave without buying anything the same day. Even if the deal is “for today only”, I promise you, if they will sell you that car at that price today, they will sell you that car at the same price tomorrow, or less. DO NOT LET YOURSELF BE BULLIED INTO BUYING A CAR! If the pressure is on, there is probably a reason why they are so desperate to sell you that car.

3. Be very, very careful at the finance window. If you do not CLEARLY understand the terms, total cost and total cost per month, DO NOT SIGN. Once they have your signature, you are done, whether you “leave the lot” or not. It is a binding contract.

Numbers four through ten: lets look at the vehicle. Here is a list of things to check and what to look for.

4. Get inside the car. Sit down and look at the gas pedal. A new one begs the question, why? Was the old one so worn that it had to be replaced? If the gas pedal is worn on the left side it indicates someone drove that slid their foot off the gas pedal to stomp the brake, the inverse is true of the brake pedal, if it is worn on the right, the driver slid his foot off of it to stomp on the gas. Either way, worn pedals indicate hard driving.

 5. Look at and feel the shifter. Is it worn? Is there a lot of play (movability) in the shifter? Both of these signs indicate hard driving.

Look at the overall wear and tear on the interior. If the driver took care of the inside, chances are that person took care of the outside and drive train, too.

6. Let’s get under the hood.  Open the radiator cap. Is it full? What color is the fluid? While newer cars have different color fluids than the old green P.E.G., rust colored fluid indicates not being changed. Look down the hole, is there calcium built up or is it nice and clean looking? If it is clean, chances are it was flushed and changed as recommended and is another indicator of being generally taken care of.

7. Pull out the oil dipstick. The oil should be very slightly opaque. Brand new oil indicates it was just changed. Why change the oil in a vehicle you are selling? Check the level. Also if the oil is very dark it indicates that it was not changed as needed.

8. Look at the belts. Are they dry and cracked or in good shape? Another indicator of being taken care of is a belt that is not new, but is still in good shape. If they are new, then why?

9. Walk around the back of the car. Stick your finger in the tailpipe. If it comes out with dark black soot on I t, then the car probably burns oil, or at least the gas to air ratio is very off.

And finally, 10. Run the car. If the tailpipe drips water, you have a great running engine. White smoke indicates a blown head gasket and gray to blue smoke is burning oil.

Never forget to drive the vehicle and use common sense. Does it pull when you brake? Does it shift cleanly and smoothly? Does it track straight when you let go of the wheel? Careful testing of a prospective vehicle will greatly increase your chances of not ending up with a lemon.