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