| Everybody knows that as time goes on, our cars | | | | Get them checked at least 5 times a year for |
| get older and start to loose their "shine" so to | | | | maximum performance, sometimes you may |
| speak. As they get older, they require more | | | | have gotten a bad tire and not know it until it |
| maintenance, more time for care, more money | | | | blows up on the freeway. |
| for older parts etc. Most manufacturers don't | | | | - Check your steering. Get inside your MR2 or |
| carry parts forever, so they discontinue parts for | | | | vehicle and turn your car to the ON position but |
| their older models. This leaves the gate wide open | | | | don't turn the engine on. Feel the steering wheel |
| for after market companies to monopolize the | | | | turn and pay attention...make sure its smooth, if it |
| used car part industry. Sometimes the only place | | | | gets harder to maneuver it your steering rack |
| you can find a part is at your local junkyard, | | | | maybe showing its age. This is also a wear and |
| either the part is too expensive to buy new or | | | | tear item, lots of parts contribute to your cars |
| the cost just doesn't justify the need to keep the | | | | steering response like bearings, rack and pinion, |
| used car. | | | | electronic computers, tie rods etc. This is VERY |
| For this example we will use a 95 Toyota MR2 as | | | | important to get check out while you take your |
| an example, it is a small sports car that Toyota | | | | used car in for a check up. |
| had built in the mid 80's and lasted all the up to 95 | | | | - Check your motor. Luckily the MR2 is a used |
| here in the states, but didn't stop production until | | | | car that comes equipped with a later model ECU, |
| 99 in Japan. The MR2 is a 2 seater, rear-wheel | | | | or computer. Some other used cars don't have |
| drive, 5-speed manual, 4-cylinder turbocharged | | | | the luxury of having a plug-n-play type of |
| engine that sits behind the driver. Yes, the MR2 is | | | | computer, so to speak. Have regular compression |
| a mid-engined sports car...much like Ferrari's and | | | | tests done after long trips, or modifications. You |
| other exotic vehicles that cost literally 10 times | | | | don't want to modify an unhealthy motor, always |
| the price of one MR2. It doesn't need to be said | | | | be on top of your car's maintenance. |
| that this vehicle is rather rare since it was | | | | - Log EVERYTHING. A used car with no records |
| discontinued only 5 years after its second | | | | is just that, a used car with no records. Nobody |
| generation chassis was introduced, making parts | | | | will want to buy a used car with no proof that |
| and servicing harder to find. | | | | work was ever done to it, that is if you decide to |
| A better used car than the MR2 is hard to come | | | | sell your MR2 (I wouldn't). If your used car goes in |
| by, coupled with Toyota's long lasting dependability | | | | for an oil change, log it and keep the receipt, if |
| and durability this vehicle can withstand the test | | | | you replace a switch or a piece of carpet or |
| of time very well, if it is taken care of. Which | | | | some glass...LOG IT. A small notebook goes a long |
| leads to some points I should make about | | | | way in terms of a used car's worth. If you can |
| checking your used car age and making sure it is | | | | prove that your MR2 has had a engine rebuild and |
| road worthy and safe: | | | | paint job done recently, then selling it should be no |
| - Check your brakes. Get them inspected, this | | | | problem as the new owner will want to know |
| doesn't mean go get your brake pads and shoes | | | | when it was done and who did the work. |
| replaced (even though its a big part of it) it | | | | I hope this small guide can help those looking to |
| means get EVERYTHING inspected, brake lines, | | | | take care of their used car more, in the case of |
| calipers, valves, master cylinder etc etc. There | | | | an MR2 it is a little more expensive to maintain |
| are too many parts to list, the braking system of | | | | than a Ford Escort of the same year simply |
| a vehicle is more complicated than people make it | | | | because of the small after market support for it. |
| out to be, these are wear and tear items and | | | | The used car market is getting bigger and bigger, |
| should be checked regularly. | | | | more and more people can't afford $4-$500 car |
| - Check your tires. I could not stress this enough, | | | | payments, so they save to buy a used car for |
| tires have everything to do with your vehicles | | | | cheap. I don't intend to plug the MR2 here, but if |
| braking ability, ride smoothness, traction, and your | | | | you can find one in the 91 to 95 year range that |
| gas consumption. Yes, if you have your tires | | | | is priced under $3000, buy it. Just like any other |
| inflated to the incorrect settings then you could | | | | Toyota, this used car holds is value very well...and |
| be wasting more gas than you normally would. | | | | it looks cool too. |