| Some of the best values in the automobile | | | | other items that are not covered by warranty. |
| market are used cars, especially late model | | | | One thing to be aware of when looking at a |
| used cars. Nearly everyone has heard that | | | | used car is that safety considerations |
| value of a car drops by one quarter as soon | | | | typically change somewhat year-to-year. |
| as the new car is driven off of the | | | | Hence, such things as curtain airbags and new |
| dealership lot. Not only does the second | | | | child seat restraint options are harder to |
| owner of a car not pay that cost | | | | find on the older vehicles. However, such |
| depreciation, but other expenses such as | | | | features as antilock brakes, traction |
| collision insurance and taxes for the car are | | | | control, and side airbags are typically much |
| also lower. Also, many times the used cars | | | | more affordable on a used car than ordering |
| that a person looks at will have more options | | | | them as options on the new car. There are a |
| than they would have considered for the same | | | | number of questions to ask when considering |
| vehicle if they had bought it new. One of the | | | | purchasing a used car, and we are not going |
| best reasons to buy a used car is | | | | to cover all of them here. However, make sure |
| reliability. Looking at the history of used | | | | you ask if the car has been an accident, if |
| cars from 1980 through the year 2000, the | | | | there are any recalls on the car, and the |
| reliability of vehicles has improved by leaps | | | | reason that the car is being sold. It is also |
| and bounds. Problems of mechanical failures | | | | a good idea to go to and get the vehicle |
| reported for two-year-old vehicles has | | | | report for the car. Inspect a car both inside |
| declined to a fraction of what it was in | | | | and outside, looking for evidence of any |
| 1980, the year such statistics started being | | | | extreme wear, mistreatment, or other |
| kept. For example, exhaust system problems | | | | problems. When looking under the hood pay |
| and related systems are now of minor concern, | | | | attention to the hoses and belts, and see if |
| where once they used to be a significant | | | | the rubber parts are firm and not hard or |
| problem. Today's vehicles should go well past | | | | mushy. Check fluid levels and make sure that |
| 100,000 miles, and many can reach 200,000 | | | | the owner currently has them up to the |
| miles with only minor repairs to the vehicle. | | | | correct level. Check the radiator fluid and |
| One way to notice this is that the warranties | | | | make sure that it is a clear green color, |
| given by the car companies on their cars are | | | | rather than milky or rusty. After making this |
| now for twice the years and miles that they | | | | simple inspection, the car should be taken to |
| once were, even ten years ago. Also, these | | | | an independent mechanic for a used car check. |
| warranties cover more systems of the car than | | | | Typically most independent mechanic shops |
| they once did. Depending on the year and the | | | | have a fixed rate for that type of service. A |
| model, some buyers may be able to get the | | | | good several-year-old car is one of the best |
| remaining manufacturer's warranty on the used | | | | buys in the automotive field, and with a |
| car. However, considering the reliability of | | | | little careful inspection you will find a car |
| modern cars, most of the costs will be for | | | | that will be of good service for many years. |
| replacement parts such as tires, battery, and | | | | |