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