buying used cars - a primer to not get screwed
TRANSCRIPT
BUYING USED CARSa primer to not get screwed
#ONE: Know what you want :D
WEB RESOURCES
• Americans:
• cargurus.com
• kelley blue book www.kbb.com
• Canadians:
• autotrader.ca
• canadianblackbook.com
IGNORE CAR SALESMAN
INSPECT• Exterior for scratches on metal
surfaces (not front or rear bumper)
• Area under engine for oil leaks
• Front and Rear spring sag
• Rusted parts
• Interior fabric tears
• Tire Tread
• Wheel Size
GO FOR TEST-DRIVEStep Action Reason
1Inspect underneath
vehicle before turning on
Looks for leaking liquids while parked
2 Turn car on and do walk around
Look for funny noises, exhaust leaks, make note of engine sound on cold start
3Don’t wait too long and start
driving
Start driving before the car is warmed up, make note of the performance of the car,
see if engine knocks
4 Don’t be afraid to be aggressive
The engine shouldn’t break of behave oddly unless the car is very old >10years, 100k miles.
Find out if it will break during the test drive!
TEST DRIVE PART IIStep Action Reason
5Drive calmly and look for steering wheel wobble
If steering wheel wobbles, either wheels need to be re-aligned, balanced or you
6 Play with all electronics
Use every feature your paying for, know every one thats broken
7 Park above a clean patch of asphalt
Inspect for leaks on the road with the car still on
8 Use locks, trunk etc Make sure body functions work
HAGGLE
• Check out online blue book or black book prices
• Start with what price you think is right and ignore the sticker
• Prepare to actually walk away, there will be another candidate. Unless you live in a small town, then GG.
KEY MINDERS• The latest is NOT the greatest (turbos, engines,
4wd, electronic anything). But the 2nd gen is.
• Cleaning: White(very easy), Black(very hard)
• Wheel and tire size.
tirerack.com
TIRE SIZES
$96.22 $200.50 $545.82205/55R16 225/50R17 245/40R21
(width mm)/(aspect ratio)R(inner diameter “)
ACCOUNTING• Insurance in your state
• Vehicle registration in your state
• Import taxes
• California emissions standards for new vehicles (<7500miles)