| It's okay to stick to a price range or | | | | |
| budget. But first consider the kind of used | | | | 5. TEST DRIVE BASICS |
| car you need. Prices vary according to the | | | | |
| brand and make of a car. For instance, a | | | | Be sure to watch out for these:a. Does the |
| small sedan is cheaper, but if you'd pack | | | | car swerve on either direction? (Also, see if |
| that car with lots of people or packages, | | | | the tires have uneven wear.) If so, it would |
| that would cause tearing or breakdown. This | | | | need a wheel alignment.b. Is the air cool |
| would necessitate lots of repair jobs which | | | | enough? If not, check if it's simply a lack |
| would mean more expenses for you. | | | | of freeon or worse.c. Are the brakes in good |
| | | | condition?d. Do you hear unusual sounds? If |
| 2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. | | | | so, the engine might have problems. |
| | | | |
| Check out the classifieds for the regular | | | | 6. INTERIOR CHECKLIST |
| market price ranges on the type of used car | | | | |
| that you are going to buy. | | | | The condition of the interior gives clue to |
| | | | how much the car has been used and taken |
| 3. CHEAP IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST. | | | | cared of. Also, a very low mileage reading on |
| | | | a badly looking interior is a sign of meter |
| Don't be fooled by the price. Consider the | | | | tampering. |
| amount of money you will still need to shell | | | | |
| out to recondition the used car once you buy | | | | 7. CHECK THE EXTERIOR FOR RUST AND |
| it. | | | | PAINTOVERS. |
| | | | |
| 4. WHERE TO SCOUT | | | | It might have been in an accident before. |
| | | | |
| Private sellers usually sell at a cheaper | | | | 8. CHECK THE GROUND UNDER THE CAR FOR SIGNS |
| price. The advantage though of buying from a | | | | OF LEAKAGE. |
| car dealer is that it usually comes with good | | | | |
| warranty. | | | | 9. CHECK THE OIL. |
| | | | |
| Be bold enough to scout from private sellers | | | | Oil should be clear. BLACK colored oil is not |
| if you are confident that you can assess the | | | | a good sign. |
| condition of the used car fairly well. If | | | | |
| not, maybe you could bring a mechanic to | | | | 10. CHECK THE MUFFLER FOR LEAKS. |
| check out the vehicle. | | | | |
| | | | A WHITE or BLUE colored emission would be the |
| When opting to buy from used car dealers, be | | | | sign. |
| careful not to be taken in by persuasive | | | | |
| talk. Don't take their word for it, check the | | | | Happy used car hunting! |
| car yourself. | | | | |