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Posts Tagged ‘Cars’

Car engine is the soul part of a car. If certain problems are occur into the engine of a car, it will affect the life span of your car. Like our body that need vitamins and some nutrients in order to maintain a healthy body. A car engine is need of regular maintenance so that there will no problems or damage will occur into the parts of the car engine. In single car engine, there are more than 40 parts that needs of maintenance. But mostly, we used to change the engine oil of the engine. Because engine oil is one of the most important things that determine the performance and life of the car. It must be checked regularly for at least every two weeks or before a long trip. Regular engine check can protect your car engine also protect your life as a driver. Because if a certain engine problem is occur while you are driving, it might be cause of road accident due to the failure of your car engine. In having a long trip, check first your car engine then proceed to other parts of your car such as the transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, radiator coolant, windshields washer, and the tires of your car.

As we focus on car engines, here are the tips on how to maintain a car engines: Go on with regular change oil because change oil is the most important factor to keep the engine flashy running. If certain parts are turn to damage stage, change it before it was taken a [problem into your engine. For example the spark plug of your car, air filter, and timing belt are in little bit mis-function already, you must change it before it affects other parts of the engine car. Another one, try to avoid engine overheating. Because once your engine is overheat, it cause major damage into your engine as well as in some parts of your car. And for further protection into your car, check it regularly so that you will see any small problems and try to fix it immediately before it turns to serious problems or damages. In protecting your car while driving, keep on a safe drive and keep on proper driving of your car. What I mean is, don’t just pump up some gasoline and making some unpleasant changing of the gear. Check also if the engine is not on the smooth run. Drive smoothly, don’t let the engine suffer in difficulty because it might cause overheating. Before a long drive, have some rest and relaxation so that the engine of your car will have a rest too. Then, before you go into the long run again, check it again your car as a part of your maintenance and if there are certain problems, fix it or have some solutions with the aid of some individuals that able to give solution into your car problems. Always remind into yourself that once your car engine having a problem, it will continue affecting some other parts of the car engine. So, the best way to do is have a proper and regular maintenance in order to keep away from a high cost repairs.

With the fast depreciation of new vehicles, the wise car buyer will shop for a used car rather than a brand new one. If you are in the market for a new used car, you need to know what to do to avoid buying a lemon or paying way too much for a vehicle. After all, just because a car is used doesn’t mean that it can’t be a great vehicle for a great price!
Where to Find Cars for Sale
You can find cars for sale a variety of places. Almost all dealerships have some used cars available that they received as trade-ins, even if they specialize in selling new vehicles. You can also buy directly from a car’s owner. Check newspaper and online classifieds to find cars that are currently for sale. Keep your eyes open as you drive around town to see cars that have for sale signs in their windows.
You will probably see some cars parked along the side of the road for sale. These are often for sale by individuals who fix up cars and then resell them for profit. You can sometimes get a good deal on one of these cars, but make sure you do your research before buying one. It could have a problem that the seller is hiding or does not know about.
Figuring the Car’s Value
You do not want to buy the cheapest car on the market. Extremely low prices usually are there for a reason. What you want is to find a good deal, which means a good car that is priced at the low end of what it is worth. Remember, a cheap car is likely to need costly repairs in the near future.
How can you know how much a car is worth? One resource to use to check a car’s value is Kelley Blue Book. This online resource allows you to search using the car’s make, model, year, and condition. It will show you the average selling price for cars similar to the one you are considering. Look for a car in the middle to low end of the price range shown. Keep in mind that cars priced well below the value may have an underlying problem that you cannot see when you take them for a test drive.
Decide the Type of Car You Want
The type of car you want will depend on many different factors. If you have children or anticipate having children in the near future, make sure that you choose a vehicle that has enough room in the back seat for a car seat. Many compact vehicles do not accommodate rear-facing car seats, even though they have a back seat.
You will need to decide how important fuel economy is. A large SUV will have enough room for your children’s seats, but it is going to drink gas. If you intend to drive the vehicle long distances on a regular basis, you need something a little more fuel-efficient.
As you consider the type of car you want, be sure to consider how much the insurance will be. Car insurance providers charge different rates for various vehicles based on their safety ratings and overall crash histories. Talk to your insurance provider about the rates on the different vehicles you are considering. You will find that two vehicles with very similar features will have very different insurance rates.
Mileage and Age Considerations
As you search through the classifieds for your next used car, make sure you pay attention to the mileage on the vehicle. A car with more than 155,000 miles is not going to last long. However, a car with low mileage may not be a good idea either if the car was driven poorly. Find out from the buyer what percentage of the miles were highway miles if you can. Highway driving is not hard no a car’s engine. If a car with high mileage was driven on a long commute over the highway, the engine will be in better shape than a car with low mileage that was driven by a “soccer mom” around town to the kids’ activities.
You also want to consider the age of a car. Cars, no matter what type they are, do not age well. A car that is more than ten years old is going to take your hard earned money over and over for costly repairs. Even if the car was rarely driven, it can still have worn out parts simply because the parts are old. If you need a bargain, shop for a car that is five or six years old.
The Purchase Process
Once you find a car that you like, run a vehicle history report on it. You can also ask the seller if you can take it to a trusted mechanic to get checked out. These two steps will help you avoid purchasing a car with hidden problems.
If you are satisfied that the car is right for you, be sure that you negotiate the price. Most buyers are willing to take a few thousand less than they have priced the car. Dealers always price the car higher than what they must sell it for, so do not be afraid to make a lower offer. Keep the attitude that you have many other cars to choose from, and you will be able to get a lower price.
Once a price has been agreed to, you will need to pay for the car. If you are using a loan, get a check from your bank that you can use to buy the vehicle. The title will then be transferred to you. If you are buying from a dealership, the dealer will probably handle the legal aspect of the title transfer. If you are buying from a private seller, you will have to follow the rules of your local DMV to transfer the title from the seller’s name to your name. You will be required to show proof of insurance before you can transfer the title, so be sure that you add the car to your insurance policy as soon as you have purchased it.

The purchase of a car can be very long and difficult process for some. In this article I will give the entrances and exits to buy a car when a used car or a new car. There are other aspects, I will be talking about how car insurance and car loans. Since the Internet revolution in car buying process has been strong, and we can getter better treated than ever before! The first thing to do is research! Find out what cars you are interested in. If you buy a car for a while, so it is better so! The Internet is a good place to start when the investigation cars. There are many sites that have a wealth of information on all car models. Take a look around and find some cars that are in your price range. Note the brand and model cars for later use. If you buy a new car, you should also write the blue book value of the car. This comes in handy when a seller of cars trying to get extra money. The next step in buying a new car’re. Take a look at your local car dealers and see whether it is one of the car models, which were interested in them to take a good piece of evidence to ensure that the car you like, and units. Sometimes looking for the best cars do not meet their needs or by car. Make sure that you just go and see! You do not even think to buy everything at this moment. Do not let a salesman cloud their judgement about the brand and model of car you want. You just want to sell more expensive (normally). Once you test driven a few cars, go home! A little more research into cars that are really interested and wanted. Once you’ve noticed that the car in its price class units and the way you wish, you can looking to buy. The most important thing when it comes to the sale of cars not! You know how much your car is worth, because research on the Internet. Let the seller know that you have examined, and you know what you are talking about. The biggest tip when buying a new car is patience. Its ok to go to the car dealership a few times before you the price you want. Finally, if the price you want, buy it! If you buy a used car’s very important to ask a lot of questions. There are a lot of things that people are not informed of their used cars. Ask for all cars upgrades, repairs, accidents and everything else. A good idea is also reviewing the VIN number on the Web and see all the information about the car. You can find almost all of these searches use of VIN numbers. I usually try to stay away from cars in buying a used car. The Internet is really a very good place to find used cars. EBay is a great resource for finding used cars. There are also some other sites for the sale of used cars, as Autotrader.com. Its also important to be patient when you buy a used car as well. Third-party providers are more willing to reduce their prices, and just want to get the car out of his hands. Give him some time, and that brings prices down. I hope this article has given you much information about the purchase of new cars and used vehicles. Please note that your research and be patient. The purchase of a car is a difficult process, but in the application of these steps to the car you want at the price you can afford.

Cars

You’re looking for a new car and you’ve decided to buy used. Smart choice! With the price of gas and the state of the economy, shelling out all that extra cash for a brand new car when a used car can be just as fuel efficient and a much better deal is like tossing your cash into your car’s fuel tank and literally burning that money away.

Craigslist, eBay, car classifieds, and used car search engines like iSeeCars.com make finding used cars for sale so much easier than ever before. But you have to be careful—there’s bound to be a few lemons out there that will leave you with more than just a sour taste in your mouth. Making a major purchase like a car—even if, or perhaps especially if, it’s a cheap used car—requires that you do all of your homework. Remain in control and no one will be able to pull the wool over your eyes!

Here are the top ten questions you should ask a used car seller before you sign on the dotted line:

 

 

One of the newest trend nowadays is shopping online. You may search for any item that you desire and have it delivered right through your doorstep. It is convenient, easy and fast. No need to drive around town searching for a specific product, no need to walk around the mall to window shop and there definitely is no need to drive along communities to search for garage sales.

 

One product that is also available online are new or used cars for sale, car services and a lot of updates about the newest trends and models. Though it is joyful but envious to the people who own them, to stare at the newest luxury or sports car, many or most of us couldn’t afford to have one so we just settle on used cars.

 

The good thing about cars being sold online is that you can also take advantage of these car sites to get the best car deal for you and take home a new or used car that best suits your lifestyle, needs and your budget.

 

Locating a specific car whether a new model, a recent but used model, or a classic or a vintage car or motorcycle, online car sites could be able to locate them all for you in just a click of a mouse. Whichever make or manufacturer you desire, and wherever you live. Online car sites are able to locate cars for you whether they are being sold by an individual owner, a car dealer, a car auction, or a business related to cars. This makes its easier to decide which will be the car you would take home.

 

Before you think of purchasing a car at any source, you should always determine first factors that could help you deciding which vehicle would be best for you. Ask yourself this questions:

How often will I use it?

-Think that different cars gives out different mileage. If you would be using it on a daily basis, then it would be best if you would purchase a vehicle that could give you a good mileage and that is very easy to maintain.

Will I buy it for my own or for a family?

-If you would be buying it for your own, then size would not be an issue. Small to regular cars to individuals or couples, regular cars to minivans for small families and vans or SUV for bigger families.

How much can I spend for buying it?

-To be able to fully measure on which car you would be able to buy, you should know your budget for purchasing it to know on what are the limits in terms of car prices.

How much can I spend for it-gas, maintenance, repair?

-Cars needs maintenance as well. The most common maintenance that should be done for it is to always fill it up with gasoline, and with the recent fuel prices, it wont be cheap. For certain mileage, cars also needs other maintenance to keep out of trouble-fluids, pads, tires and etc. This timely maintenance will not only save you your life and a lot of trouble but it would also save you gas. Cars that are properly maintained burns less gasoline.

What is the car type that would be best for me-compact, convertible, regular car, SUV, Van, truck?

-It would depend on your taste and of course your needs and lifestyle. If you are the guy who does a lot of traveling but does not need a lot of luggage, then regular cars would be just fine. If you are a guy that needs a car for utilities, then you may consider buying a van or a truck.

 

Take advantage of these car sites to carefully examine all the cars that you desire. Check if which car holds the best car value and which one will fit your budget. You can locate some features and some car history to determine the cars value. The more damage, crashes and repairs it has gone through, car values decreases and so does its price. If it is properly maintained and timely serviced, the car value almost doesn’t change.

 

Like shopping for other things, there can also be scams in shopping cars online so always be sure that you examine every factor carefully. And lastly, after you have done all of this and have located your car, the next thing to do is to always drive safe.

Cars such as the super cars and hot cars are gives us an overwhelming satisfactions if we have it. For seeing those hot cars are like looking for the most beautiful and sexiest women in the world that we dream of having them. Hot cars are very valuable. There are only few individuals who can buy and have this kinds of cars. Not all the car lovers are having this kinds of cars. Because these cars are only limited in productions and only the rich car lovers can only have this kind of cars. Some of hot cars are made of sports cars, super cars, and those unique cars that possess high quality performance and high value. Most car manufacturers that produce hot cars are Ferrari, Lamborghini, Koenigsegg, Saleen, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and many more.

In Internet auction, there are list of hot cars which you can enjoy an online auction shopping. Her are the list of the Hot cars which are famous, fastest on the tracks, have a unique design, design as sports cars, and an image of luxury vehicle: Aston Martin, Acura NSX, Audi TT, BMW M3, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper, Ferrari F430, Ferrari Scaglietti, Ford GT, Ford Mustang, Honda S2000,

Koenigsegg CCR, Lamborghini, Lotus Elise, Mazda Miata, McLaren F1, Mercedes SLK, Mercedes SLR, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Nissan 350Z, Pagani Zonda, Porsche Boxster, Porsche Carrera, Saleen S7, and Toyota Celica. All of the above hot cars are available in the online auctions. By the what is hot cars? A hot cars for online auctions or intend for other auctions procedures? Hot cars are something to do on the behavior of the super cars like sports cars that deals on the behavior of fast, sleek, and superb characteristics of the car. These cars are having the record of excellent road-holding, an identification of most powerful engines, and have a great brakes. Hot cars are the superstars of all the cars. They are the most highlighted car creatures. They are just like the most beautiful women that you can give all what you’ve got just to have it for a dinner and make love at the moment. In hot cars, since they are one of a kind and limited in production, most of them can buy through auctions because you need to compete for its demand. You need to give all your best price in bidding just to bring home the most beautiful car in your home.

With regards to online auction shopping of cars, car auctions are very fantastic to everyone. Because you can go purchase on what you want. There are lot of variety of cars which categorize as vintage, surplus, new cars, and hot cars. And not only that, through Internet auctions, you can build your own business like buy and sell of cars. Online car auctions are allow buyers from all around the globe to bid on the offered cars in a certain auction site. In winning the auction online bidding, you are entitled to for a legal contract that you may now purchase the car in the price you offered. Online auctions or Internet auctions are exciting as long as you have the capability to stay stronger for the bidding system. If you are on the auction process don’t let the other can have the product. Always think that the product you compete for is very important into your life. Like bidding with the hot cars, you must think that if you have the hot car, your pretty like the celebrities. Yes, that is a big big plus factor for a man like you that having a hot car. Girls will look into you as the prettiest man in the block. I’m not kidding, because some girls are not looking for the face of the beholder but on the wheels of the beholder.

With the long cold days of winter about to start, you may be thinking that with nobody looking to travel long distances now is the time that both you and the car can rest. Guess again! Winter requires as much and perhaps even more car care than summer time because winter could just worsen whatever technical problem your car was showing in summer. The following tips will show you how to avoid some common winter problems.
Engine
Note down problems like stalling or difficult starts, less power, rough idling and try to get your hands dirty and fix them. Else, get a technician at a repair shop to look at them. These problems might well have existed during summer but winter always tends to make them worse.
Oil
It is important that during winter times, you use oil that can handle the cold weather and manage to flow quickly to critical engine parts, even during severe winter conditions. The frequency of oil changes will depend on the kind of driving you do in the winter – the Owner’s Manual will suggest to you how often you need to change the oil for various driving types. Usually it is suggested that oil be changed every 3-5,000 miles.
Battery
It is again important to check on the battery. The battery’s power comes down significantly in severe cold weather. This is made worse in older batteries. They tend to work fine in summer but fail as soon as the temperature drops. It is therefore essential that a technician check your battery, especially if it is at least four years old. Of course, despite all this it is better to be prepared at all times, with a set of good jumper cables. It might also be a good idea to have a portable power pack in the car, which can again be used in emergencies.
Heater/Defroster
A properly working heater/defroster not only helps passengers stay comfortable but also helps the driver’s visibility, as to drive safely you need to be able to see clearly through the windshield. Keeping a full gas tank helps in being ready but also reduces the chances of any moisture forming in the lines that carry the fuel, which can freeze up and cause problems.
Tire Care
Maintaining proper inflation in tires during winter is also essential. During cold weather, air contracts and so air in the tires also contracts. Highly inflated tires will increase the wear and tear on tires and also increase the fuel consumption. On the other hand, under inflated tires will just reduce traction. You could also consider going in for special tires, which are designed to grip slippery roads when snow and ice can be a problem.
Lights and Wipers
Always make sure that lights are inspected regularly to ensure that bulbs can be lit and headlights be aimed properly. Also, even wiper blades have to be taken care of. Replace them regularly and even consider special snow blades if you are going to be driving in severe weather.
Warm Up
During winter, when you start the engine, just wait for a few seconds so that a proper flow of oil has been started and there is adequate lubrication before driving off. However, waiting for too long is also not good, as that will just waste gas.
Take care of your car for the winter and your car will ensure your safety even during the worst of winter.

Winter brings with it an array of holidays, family picnics, and snow balls! On the other hand winter also brings long mornings filled with excruciating car troubles. Preparing beforehand on the maintenance of your car can help greatly with the endless troubles a car can give in winter.
A well maintained car has less chances of ditching you while driving then an ill maintained one. You should have a regular maintenance checklist of your car throughout the year. Some specific maintenance is advisable on a seasonal basis. And generally annual preparation tips include cleaning battery posts, inspection of spark plugs and breaks, and checking the engine oil.
Here are some winter maintenance tips you should keep in mind for preparing your car for winter:
• Check your Antifreeze: antifreeze plays a vital role of your car’s protection against cold weather. A car generally has a solvent made with 50% water and 50% antifreeze in it. The level of the mixture should be checked regularly and should ideally be at full level. If you do not have the knowledge or are not open to the idea of popping that hood of your car, many service centers and mechanics will check the level for you free of any charge. A radiator flush should have already been done in the last season for optimal performance of your car.
• Inspect your tires: Good and healthy tires have many benefits. From assisting in good and efficient breaking to boosting the mileage, a good set of tires proves to be a knight in shining armor in winter. The depth of the tires should be checked for optimum depth. The recommended tire depth is 2/32′ but if your tire depth is less then 4/32″ then you should consider buying a new tire. Along with a tire in a good condition, the tire pressure should also be checked and maintained at the recommended pressure for the tire, the tire losses pressure in winter because of contraction of air molecules.
• Replace your wipers: In winter wipers do the job of cleaning and wiping anything that falls on your windshield, from snowfall to splashed slush from molten snow, the wipers of a car take care of everything. For proper cleaning a wiper should be in a healthy condition. The rubber blades of the wiper should be checked for cracks and unevenness resulting from change in weather conditions, or long term use.
• Check your windshield washer fluid: Windshields are used regularly in winter for cleaning the windshield. A lot of dirt and dust settled on the windscreen turns to stains when it mixes with dewdrops or water from snow. The use of washer fluid is used extensively for this reason only. The level of washer fluid should be checked regularly to avoid running out of the washer fluid. Care should be taken not to use anything other then washer fluid in the washer fluid reservoir because a washer fluid is specially designed for winter and wont freeze.
Apart from the above mentioned tips, many other precautions could be undertaken to suit the individual needs.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Are you currently thinking of buying a used car? If so, then you need to know what to look for and what to look out for. Many times a person has no choice but to buy a used car. After all, new cars are so expensive, and they depreciate in value very quickly. It is much more economical to buy a car that is a few years old, rather than one that is brand new. They may even be in similar condition. Here is the problem though, accessing the working order of a used car can be very difficult.
Inspecting the engine is of utmost importance, as this is the most expensive part to replace. Instead of replacing an engine, most people will find that junking it is a better option, or selling it off to somebody that does not know cars. Start the engine up. Does it start easily? Listen to the engine to make sure that it runs smoothly and does not stall out. Pay close attention to how the engine idles as well. If it idles too fast or slow, that could be a sign of a problem. Also, look to see if any of the system warning lights appear.
The next subject of importance is the transmission. Once again, this is a very expensive part to replace. First of all, determine whether it is a manual or an automatic transmission. If you can not drive stick, then this already makes the vehicle a bad choice for you. Automatic transmission vehicles are a little more expensive, but this is something truly depends on the preference of the buyer. If it is an automatic, when you test drive it, make sure that it changes gears smoothly. If it is a manual transmission, make sure you test drive the vehicle on hills to see how well it changes gears.
Brakes are not as expensive to replace, but very important to have in working order. When you test drive the car, make sure that you apply the brakes many times, each time paying close attention to how well the vehicle stops. Try to make a sudden stop as well; does the car pull to one side? Be sure to test the parking brake as well.
Steering is an important thing to check on a used vehicle. While you are test driving it, make sure that it does not pull to one side. Pay attention to how easy or difficult it is to steer the car at different speeds. Test drive the vehicle with no radio and with windows open if weather warrants. This way you can listen for any clunking noises. Make sure that the steering wheel is centered when the car is driving straight.
There are many different things to take into consideration before buying any used car, so this is by no means a complete list. Instead, these are some of the most important things to look for due to price of repairs and safety of operation. Other things to look at include accessories, suspension, tires and body.