| So you want a new car but you can't afford a | | | | - Feel for any vibration in the steering wheel. This |
| brand new one. You will then be looking for a | | | | can indicate something as simple as a tire out of |
| "new used car." New to you but pre-owned by | | | | balance or as costly as needed front end repairs. |
| someone else. This can be a great way to get | | | | - Do you feel a vibration in the seat. Like the |
| very good, reliable transportation but you will need | | | | front end, this can be a bad tire or you may have |
| to be assured that it is in good shape and won't | | | | something more dramatic like a wheel bearing |
| cost you several thousand dollars in needed | | | | which is bad and needs to be replaced. |
| repairs. The best method of determining how | | | | - At a stop sign, press on the gas pedal quickly |
| good a car is requires taking it to an auto repair | | | | when you take off and see how the engine |
| specialist and having him or her check it out. This | | | | responds. If it shudders or dies momentarily this |
| will run you about $50 to $75 though so you want | | | | can be either a tune-up problem or something |
| to be sure this is the car you really want to buy. | | | | more costly like intake systems concerns. |
| The first step then is to test drive the auto and | | | | - From a stop, put the car in reverse and back |
| see how well it performs. | | | | up. Do you feel a clunk, or hear any noises? If so |
| - When you drive your potential purchase do | | | | this may indicate you have a transmission or drive |
| these simple test. | | | | line problem. If you have concerns about any of |
| - When driving down a straight road lightly loosen | | | | these tests then reconsider the purchase of this |
| the grip on the steering wheel and see if the car | | | | auto. If you still really want this particular car then |
| tries to go one direction of the other. It is normal | | | | be sure to have it checked out by a mechanic |
| to have a very slight drift to the right but the | | | | and tell him or her about your concerns so they |
| wheels should not have a steady pull to either | | | | can look into it further. |
| side. | | | | |