Afraid of Buying a Used Car? Get a New One, Instead.

I wrote a guideline on what things to look out for when buying a used car, and I deemed it right to post another one that details the things that one should consider before getting a new one. Being a family man, the first thing I ask about are the safety features. Next to that, I ask about the gas mileage. Then I take a look around the vehicle and I take about 20 minutes to check the engine. Only then do I take it for a test drive. And I don’t want to waste my time. If I don’t like a car at the onset I don’t bother the salesperson about it. And, by the way, I do research even before I go to a dealership. I check out the MSRP of vehicles, compare cars and check out the specs. Speed, for me, is not a prime consideration, mainly because I only do city driving, unless of course if the in-laws ask the family to visit. Even then I don’t drive fast because of the kids.

I also researched and found a checklist that’s very much like the one I cited in my previous post. I got this from the Better Business Bureau site. And I ignored the part about the safety features, specs, etc because those can be read off the manual or online. But when it comes to test driving the vehicle, here are a few things you should check out:

• Visibility. Can you see the end of the hood and the trunk? Does any part of the car block your vision? Can you easily see all the mirrors?
• Safety features. Check for manual or automatic seat belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and child safety locks.
• Steering wheel placement. Are you comfortable behind the wheel? Is it easy to adjust the steering wheel, the seat, and mirrors?
• Entry/exit. Is it easy to get in and out of the car from each position?
• Seating. Does each passenger have plenty of head and leg room? Check rear seats, too. Fasten the safety belt in each position. Each belt should fit snugly across the hips; shoulder harnesses should ride comfortably across the shoulder.
• Instrument panel and controls. While driving, can you quickly and easily check the speedometer and fuel gauge? Try the windshield wipers, lights, turn signals and other functions to see how easy they are to operate. Check the climate controls.
• Trunk. Is there enough space in the trunk or cargo area? Is it easy to get to the spare tire?
• Engine. Does it accelerate smoothly? Does it have enough "passing power?" Slow down and speed up a few times to check out the responsiveness of the engine. Does the engine idle smoothly, or does it appear to race?
• Transmission. If the car has an automatic transmission, does it shift smoothly between speeds, without jolting? If it is a manual, check the feel of the clutch, and the ease of shifting gears.
• Ride. Is the ride smooth? Does it offer responsive handling that makes you feel comfortable in all road conditions?
• Parking. Does your car maneuver easily into a parking space? Does the steering wheel turn easily? Parallel park the car. Does any part of the car obstruct your view?
• Braking. Take the car out to a stretch of empty road, accelerate to about 40 mph and make an emergency stop. Does the car stop in a straight line without pulling to one side? Do the brakes lock up?
• Steering/handling. When your grip is relaxed on the steering wheel, does the car drift? At highway speeds, does the steering wheel provide a firm feel of the road? Is the car stable when you turn corners?
• Noise levels. With windows closed, listen to the noise level. Listen for engine noises when accelerating. At lower speeds, listen for road noises and tire sounds. At highway speeds, listen for wind whistling outside the windows.
• Exterior. Is the car's finish glossy and even? Check for evenly aligned body panels and secure trim.

If the car has passed all of those, and if it has passed your standards when it comes to look and/or image, delay buying it for another day and think about it over night. Do more research online. And if it really satisfies all your wants and needs, then you can get it the next day, assuming of course if it fits your budget. Be a smart buyer.

Planning On Buying A Used Car? Go Prepared!

With the soaring prices of cars nowadays, which by the way is mainly the result of rising production costs and the addition of numerous automotive technologies, people are oftentimes backed into a wall and are forced to buy used cars instead. There’s no problem with buying a used car. I’m all for it, as a matter of fact. I’ve bought my share of used cars, two to be exact. One I bought when I graduated from high school, and the other was when I first started working. So long as you know what you’re doin’ you’ll be able to get a car that’s as good as a brand new one.

Some people take one long and lingering look at a car and they immediately judge it to be in good/bad condition. If they’re lucky enough they could be right on the money, but if they’re not, they’ll end up with a lousy car. So, if you can’t bring a mechanic friend along with you to check a used car for you, then it’d be best if you are armed with the knowledge of what to look out for. I browsed the Net and found site managed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles and this is a few of their recommendations when buying a used car.

Exterior Checklist:

• Check for nicks and scratches
• Look for ripples, waves, poorly fitted panels and mismatched colors.
• Check for bubbles along molding or chrome (indicates rust underneath).
• Check for welding spots on the frame (serious accident or repairs).
• Stand back approximately 10 to 15 feet from the car and see if the car is level.
• Check the shocks by pushing down on each corner of the car and letting go.
• Check the tires (sidewall cracks, uneven tire wear, brake fluid leakage)
• Look under the car for: oil spots, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, or shock absorber fluid.
• Open the hood and check belts and hoses for cracks or wear.
• Pull out the oil dipstick. Oil should not be gummy or grayish or smell burnt.

Interior Checklist

• Check the mileage
• Compare mileage on service stickers (door jamb/under hood) to the odometer reading.
• Check the condition of the seats, belts and carpeting.
• Check the windows to see if they open and close easily.
• Check the brake, accelerator and clutch -- should work smoothly, no strange noises.
• Check all exterior lights and flashers on the car
• Start the engine and check the warning lights and gauges
• Make certain that the air conditioning blows very cold air.
• Check the glove box for the owner's manual.

Test Drive Checklist

• Drive the car on hills, highways and in stop-and-go traffic.
• Start the engine and press down on the brake.
• Listen for noises which could indicate engine problems.
• Check the lights on the control panels--be sure they all work.
• Clutch should engage and disengage smoothly without grabbing
• Does the car bounce or bang over small bumps?
• Check the temperature gauge to see if it shows a high reading
• Cut off the engine. Then restart the engine -- does it restart easily?
• Check the tailpipe. Are there any black, sooty oil deposits?
• Does the odometer mileage seem to match the physical condition of the car?
• Check odometer for scratches, misaligned digits, digits that stick.

Again, those are just a few guidelines. As for me, I always come prepared with a checklist. Unfortunately, I don’t have a copy with me now. What I did was search online, again, and fortunately enough, I was able to find a very comprehensive one made by a Mr. Todd R. Haverstock. Here’s the link to that site – Used Car FAQ. If you follow all of those, it would seem like you’re a mechanic yourself. And one last thing, don’t let yourself be bullied or talked into buying a car that you really don’t want. Salespeople do that, so be wary. Hope this helps.

Car Safety Features Get a Needed Bolster

According to statistics, teenage pregnancy is not the most common accident in the United States; it’s actually rear-ending a vehicle. I’m not kidding at all. Every second there’s someone in the U.S. who is at the moment crashing or bumping into the rear-end of another vehicle. That’s why innovative automakers have made it a point to integrate added safety features to their vehicle which is designed to prevent those dangers. And, oh, by the way this technology is relatively new. Not many cars are fitted with this. It’s what is called the automatic braking system, not very technical-sounding, eh? But it’s very helpful, to say the least.

This brake system is composed of a set of sensors and wires connected to the vehicle’s existing brake system. This is basically how it works: Infrared sensors along the front of the vehicle measure the distance between the object in front of the car and the vehicle’s front end. Once the other vehicle comes too close for comfort, the automatic braking system engages the brake in order to slow down the vehicle (not stop). Once the driver notices this sudden change, he’ll be aware of the other vehicle and apply the brakes fully if it’s necessary. Without me saying so, you’ll know how helpful this device is. And I just wish more cars are fitted with this, which by the way reminds me to ask my friend at the auto shop if it’s available as an aftermarket upgrade. I hope it is. It would be useful in city-driving and if ever I fall asleep while driving, which I hope I don’t.

Iconic Bug Makes a Comeback

It looks like the VW Beetle is making a comeback. It is said to be the face of VW’s new campaign that will start some time next week. But then again, this move only precedes the introduction of the automaker’s newest line-up of vehicles which is composed of the Tiguan crossover SUV, Passat CC, Routan minivan, clean diesel Jetta TDi, and the Jetta SportWagen among others. On the other hand, it’s expected to bolster the clamor of people who love old-school cars for a new version of the “Bug”.

I definitely won’t say no to that. I haven’t been an owner of a classic Beetle, but my brother had one when I was young, and he was a proud owner. The Beetle at that time was sort of iconic, and he used to teach me how to drive using his beat-up Beetle instead of my dad’s car. And, trust me; it was very easy to drive. And you don’t even have to worry about wrecking the engine if you bump into anything because it is at the back. One sad thing though (and I remembered this because my son snuck up to me while I was writing this post): In the recent Transformers movie, Bumblebee was shown as a Chevy Camaro, instead of a Beetle because of some misunderstanding between VW and the producers, or so they say. That might have turned up well for the movie, but for people, like my son, who adores the Transformers franchise ever since he was a kid, it was a bit disappointing. But that’s already water under the bridge.

Lastly, VW is worried because their marketing strategy comes off as being silly at the outset, but if you think about it, one look at the restored 1964 black Bug, which is named “Max” by the way, people will immediately think of Volkswagen. And when they do they’ll wonder what’s new with the company. That’s when the new line-up is introduced. It’s a great move, if you ask me. I just hope that the new models live up to the hype generated by the iconic Bug.