| When you have found a car that you are interested in | | | | panels, as that may suggest that the car has been in |
| you will want to inspect and test-drive the car that you | | | | an accident. Look for uneven gaps between the doors |
| are considering purchasing. This is the best way to | | | | and along the hood. Check for leaks such as coolant, |
| weed out the bad cars from the ones that have | | | | oil, transmission fluid or gasoline. Examine the area |
| potential. | | | | where the car is normally parked to look for spots |
| When you evaluate a used car, you will want to keep | | | | from leaks. You will then want to open all doors and |
| two main considerations in mind. The first is whether or | | | | the trunk. Test the lights, controls, heater, air and radio. |
| not you even like the car. Do you like the color? Do | | | | Open the hood and look for leaks or sprays. While the |
| you like the interior? Does it have enough headroom | | | | engine is running you will want to listen for knock, |
| and legroom? Secondly, you will want to know if the | | | | ticking, hissing or whining. Check to see that all the tires |
| car is mechanically sound. These two factors will help | | | | have enough tread left on them. |
| you decide whether or not you actually like the car. If | | | | Once you are driving the car, you first impression |
| you do like the car then you will have a few more | | | | should be the way that the car feels. Does it fell |
| questions to ask yourself. Will the car work well in the | | | | comfortable to you? Are the gauges and controls |
| long run? Will it be in good condition in six months or will | | | | easily accessible? Do you have enough leg space and |
| you begin to have to repair and put money into it? It is | | | | headroom? If it is possible to drive the car when it is |
| important to realize that in many situations you will | | | | completely cold you will want to do so. Some older |
| need to put a certain amount of money into a used | | | | used cars may have difficulty starting when they are |
| car. You cannot typically find a used car that doesn't | | | | cold and this will reveal any chronic problems the car |
| need some kind of repair or sprucing up. | | | | may have. Adjust the seat and mirrors before taking |
| While you are test-driving the car, take it to your | | | | off and drive with the radio off. You will want to hear |
| mechanic. If you are seriously thinking about purchasing | | | | the engine and listen for other noises. |
| the car, you may have doubts as to whether it is | | | | Be certain to include these factors in your test drive: |
| mechanically sound. Take the car to your mechanic | | | | - Accelerate from a dead stop |
| and have him check it out for you. Many mechanics | | | | - Check for blind spots |
| are more than happy to test drive the car quickly, | | | | - Listen to the engine noise |
| check for leaks, and do a compression check. Then | | | | - Listen for how the car downshifts |
| they will give you their expert opinion and you can | | | | - Braking |
| make your decision from there. They may tell you that | | | | - Cornering |
| you would need to have something replaced and it | | | | - Suspensions |
| would cost you so much. It would then be up to you to | | | | - Listen for rattles or squeaks |
| make the decision as to whether or not you would be | | | | - Be sure to get on the highway and get the car up to |
| willing to spend the additional money on the car. | | | | highway speeds |
| Before you drive the car you will want to inspect the | | | | Following these key points will help you make an |
| car. Walk around it and get a good overall visual | | | | accurate assessment of the vehicle before making |
| inspection. Ensure that there are no ripples in the door | | | | your decision. |