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