what are some things I should know about cars, before I buy my first car?

Question

I am getting ready to buy my first car, probably with in the next 3 or so months, I was just wondering some things I should know about cars before I buy it, and things I should check out about the car.

Answer 1

There are a few websites and books you can read to help show you "How to buy a Used Car." I have a website with a 15 page walk-through that can help you learn what to look for when you go to buy. There are 7 checklists you can print out and bring with you, so you won't forget anything. Also, there are pictures to help associate the actual item you want to look at on the car. It's free and has been around since 2003. If you have any questions, you can email me. The page index is the set of green boxes on the left side of the site. Good Luck!

Answer 2

you should know how to put gas in it, how to check the oil level and how to add oil, how to check tire pressure and add air to the tires. How to change a flat tire.
When buying one you should listen to it run...it should sound normal, it should drive normal...no pulling to one side or the other. It shouldnt have visiable smoke from the tail pipe. The brakes should feel firm and responsive. The brakes should not make any noise when applied. The car should accelerate smoothly, the engine should not shudder or vibrate excessively when running at any speed. When you are finished with the test drive, look under the hood and see if there are any obvious leaks of any fluids. look under the car as well for any fluid leaks. Check to see if the a/c works, there should be a distinct click when you turn the a/c on that comes from under the hood. If you hear a whirring or chugging noise, the a/c pump has problems. Make sure the heat works. Check for rust in and around the wheel wells. Look under the car for obvious damage. Push down on the corners of the car very hard to make it dip slightly, listen for clunking sounds from the shocks or struts. You shouldnt hear anything. Look at the tread on the tires... the tread should be more than 1/4 inch deep with no cupping or bald spots in the tread. The tires should all be the same size. with the engine running, turn on all the lights, even the hazzard blinkers, the a/c... the radio...everything that you can turn on...the engine should not seem to strain under a load with everything turned on. check to see that all the lights and blinker lights are working.

Answer 3

Reader's Digest did a study of new versus used cars a number of years ago. [I think it was published in about 1993 -- likely before you were reading RD.]

In it, something like 17 pairs of families were matched up with Family A in each pair buying a new car and Family B in each pair buying the same brand's four year old model with the same features.

After four years, Family As kept their existing car while Families B bought a new to them four year old model of the same brand [thus, Family B and Family A were now driving the same exact model and year of car].

After eight years of the study, all the bills for everything were totalled for every family ... price, interest, insurance, repairs, fuel, tires, etc. and adjusted for miles driven, etc.

The used car families came out cheaper by about $3600 on average. Since both the A and B families were driving the same make, year, and model for the last four years of the study, this entire difference was due to the added cost of the new car that Families A bought in the first year of the study and their higher insurance costs over the first four years.

Of course, RD must have started their sutdy in about 1984 or 1985 ... imagine how much cheaper cars were back then compared to new 2008 models .. and then multiply that ratio by the about $900 Families B saved in each of the 1st four years of the study ... what do you think we're talking today? $1500 a year, $2000 a year? More?

***
Moral of the study -- you pay a fair amount more, and in after tax dollars, to buy a new car. Good used cars are cheaper in the long run. What you look for, imho, is one that was driven less than 12,000 miles a year. CarFax makes it easily possible to discover if this owner was the original one and if they had their maintenance done at a "high end" shop [one that reported those details to CarFax] -- and CarFax will tell you if the car was wrecked, flooded, etc. (to the extent they know -- read their warnings about titles from certain states).

That near $2,000 a year you save by driving a used car is about the amount of your annual IRA contribution -- for the rest of your working life! It could well be the difference between retiring ordinary and retiring well-to-do.


GL

Answer 4

one million. How many miles does it have on it? Anything greater than approximately 15000 according to 12 months is quite often immoderate. two. Does it seem just like the tires have even put on? Do the treads seem the equal at the within (in the direction of the auto) and at the external (in the direction of you) three. Don't play the radio while you scan force it. You'll desire to pay attention for any "ordinary" noises. Rattling, squeaking, whining, tapping, and many others. four. When you speed up, does it shift easily from one apparatus to the following? five. Do you need to tug the guidance wheel (even just a bit) in both course to preserve the auto instantly at the street? 6. When you holiday, do you pay attention/think any squeaking or grinding? There are 100 extra, however the ones are those I got here up with off the highest of my head. But keep in mind this: If you move the dealership path, the salesperson isn't your pal. His activity is to get your cash in his pocket. He will let you know anything he thinks you must pay attention for that to occur. Don't fall in love with a exact auto. Be all set to stroll away.

Answer 5

CHECK.....

The tires
The motor
The exhaust system
The brakes
Basically the entire car...


CARS ARE MONEY HOGS - be prepared to spend money to keep it running, to put gas in it, to pay for insurance, and general repairs.