| Sitting in the driver's seat, start and | | | | and grab your rag. With the engine |
| stop the engine several times with the | | | | running, kneel behind the car and block |
| ignition key. Do you notice any | | | | the opening of the exhaust pipe with the |
| difficulty starting, rough idling, | | | | rag folded over several times. Hold it |
| vibration, unusual noises, or run-on | | | | tightly against the opening, blocking |
| after you switch the engine off? Take | | | | the exhaust gas, for about 5-6 seconds. |
| notes of anything that seems out of the | | | | Listen for hissing, burbling or leaking |
| ordinary. As with the other inspection | | | | from the exhaust pipe and mufflers. If |
| steps, you're not trying to diagnose the | | | | you hear something, that might indicate |
| problem. You're simply accumulating a | | | | all or part of the exhaust system needs |
| list of symptoms that you will share | | | | replacement. More than anything else, |
| with your mechanic when he inspects the | | | | this will convince the seller that you |
| car. | | | | are an expert. That could be helpful |
| While sitting in the driver's seat with | | | | when it comes time to negotiate. |
| the engine running, take five or 10 | | | | This is another standard shade-tree |
| minutes and check as many of the | | | | mechanic technique. With the engine off, |
| controls and accessories as you can. Run | | | | stand in front of one corner of the car, |
| the heater and air conditioning. Turn on | | | | and using all your weight, bounce up and |
| the wipers and use the windshield | | | | down. Try to get the car bouncing up and |
| washer. Is there a rear wiper? Check | | | | down. Then stop. Notice if the car |
| that, too. Check the radio. On newer | | | | quickly comes to a halt or if it bounces |
| cars, try the satellite navigation | | | | more than once. Movement after you stop |
| system. Open and close the sunroof. If | | | | bouncing could indicate worn shocks. You |
| anything fails to operate normally, ask | | | | should also listen for creaking, |
| the owner about it, and take notes for | | | | crunching, graunching and other unhappy |
| your mechanic. | | | | noises. Try this on all four corners of |
| Walk around the car and take a close | | | | the car. You may need a burly friend to |
| look for any body damage. Look for | | | | help you! |
| dings, dents, scratches, rust, uneven | | | | Open the trunk. In most cars, the spare |
| shut lines that might indicate accident | | | | wheel is located under the floor. Lift |
| damage, or wavy areas that might | | | | the floor panel and check out the spare. |
| indicate sloppy body work. In this | | | | Is it flat? That could indicate |
| photo, your guide has found a paint chip | | | | less-than-adequate preventive |
| that is starting to rust on an otherwise | | | | maintenance. Also, notice if there is |
| very clean car. As before, take notes of | | | | rust in the spare wheel well -- a spot |
| anything you find. | | | | that is notorious for attracting water. |
| Inspect the tires. Turning the front | | | | Ask the owner if the tools such as the |
| wheels all the way to the right or left | | | | jack and lug nut wrench are all there. |
| will give you an unobstructed view. Look | | | | If you see any body parts, do not |
| carefully at the tread. How much is | | | | proceed with the purchase of the car, |
| left? A handy trick shown here is to | | | | but doalert the authorities. |
| measure how much tread is left by | | | | Lift up the floor mats in the driver or |
| placing a penny in one of the grooves. | | | | passenger footwells. Is it really dirty |
| There should be enough rubber to touch | | | | under there? Pound a little on the floor |
| Lincoln's hair. Also look for uneven | | | | with your fist. Are there any wet spots? |
| wear (for example, a tire that has a lot | | | | Leaks from the windshield seal can lead |
| of tread on the inside, but looks "bald" | | | | to rainwater collecting in the footwells |
| towards the outside) and any nicks. | | | | and, in severe cases, rusty floorboards. |
| Here's a nifty trick: Put on your gloves | | | | |