I am looking to buy a used car....?

Question

what is considered alot of miles? whats considered good? what else important should I look for in a car?

Answer 1

Hi Doc,

Normal mileage usage is usually considered 12-15000 per year. Of course the type of mileage is also critical, is the mileage mostly in city with a a lot of stop and go, or mostly high way miles. These are important answers to find out if possible.

Education and knowledge is the key, knowing as much as you can before buying a car will help you reduce the risk of buying something that is a "lemon".

Mechanically speaking, you can't foresee into the future on what if anything will break down. This of course is true with even new cars, if they didn't, they wouldn't offer a warranty.

With a used car, the best you can do is to make sure the mechanical condition basics are up to par, this really isn't so difficult if you know what to look for.

Research the history if possible, determine if the oil has been changed on a regular basis, look inside the oil cap if you can and see if you see any oil sludge or caked up oil.

Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s web site at www.nicb.org, they have compiled a list of vehicles that have that have been affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. While this list may not include every single vehicle, it’s a good place to start with.

You should also run an online history report, but once again, this database may not be all-inclusive, it’s simply another step in the process of elimination. (See the link below concerning online history reports)

Look at the cooling system as well, remove the radiator cap (COLD ENGINE ONLY) and look to see if the water is rusted or brownish looking which would indicate possible serious issues.

----Know how to peform a "proper" test drive and what to look for during, this doesn't include a spin around the block either. A proper road test should include 25 miles of driving, cold and hot, along with different road surfaces as well.---

See the links below for more info that may help.

Jerry
http://www.usedcarwise.com

Answer 2

Well, do some math and figure out how much monthly milage they've put on the vehicle. Generally, 1,000 miles a month is about average, I believe. Just look at the vehicle - if the interior is clean and well-kept, and there aren't burns, tears, etc, then they probably took care of the engine as well.

Ask if they have records from any work done to the vehicle, including regular oil changes. Test drive it and listen for any knocks, squeaks, or grinding. Make sure the transmission shifts firmly and timely. Make sure it takes no more than 2 seconds to start the car. Try stopping abruptly to check the brakes. Check the tire tread depth to make sure they aren't old or rotting. See how clean the engine is. Etc.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Used car is the way to go. Try to look for one under 30,000 miles and that is 2-4 years old. You will probably save up to 40% as opposed to buying a new car. Get a CARFAX report and if the car is not a certified used car then take it to a mechanic to check it out before you buy it.

Answer 4

Look for....

1. Honda or Toyota
2. Mileage between 100,000-150,000 is alright.
3. Maintenance schedule
4. Clean Carfax

Answer 5

Check out the Consumer Report. It's great, and gives you best buys from all price ranges. It worked for me, and now I have a Honda Accord.