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Car Tips
Transportation Should Provide Enjoyment, Not a Financial Burden
by Kyle
Busch
What enables people to be on time for a scheduled appointment,
attend a favorite social event or recreational activity, or just drive on a
pleasant summer day? What machine do many people get to know as if it were
almost a member of the family? What enables drivers to experience greater
freedom? Of course, what else but the automobile. Or in today's terms: the
automobile, sport-utility vehicle, or minivan.
* * *
More and more people are realizing that the cost of new
transportation can really throw a budget into reverse. In many instances, today's
new vehicle prices compare to the cost of a new home just a generation
ago.
Since dependable transportation is a necessity - do not despair;
a two to four-year old used vehicle can be purchased at a savings of
25 to 50 percent as compared to its cost when new. Additionally, the number of
well-built, dependable vehicles has increased during the past decade.
When well maintained these vehicles can be driven for many
miles, and they are now available at substantial savings.
The purchase of a dependable, reasonably priced used vehicle is
not a matter of chance or luck, but rather, it is a matter of knowledge and understanding.
Becoming informed is one of the most important factors in successfully
purchasing a dependable used vehicle at the best price.
Gathering Information
Variety is the spice of life. Certainly, the number of vehicles
that are available today can add spice to one's daily travels. Literally
hundreds of different vehicles are available, but which one is the best for
you? To better determine the vehicle that satisfies your transportation needs,
first take the time to carefully identify your current and future driving
needs, then become aware of the many available vehicles, and finally, zero in
on the vehicles that best meet your needs.
A vary dangerous frame of mind to be in is to "fall head
over heels" for a particular make or model of vehicle based purely
on emotion. Although some emotion is always part of life, it is wise to put
excessive emotions aside and focus on day-in and day-out transportation needs.
Some questions to consider about transportation needs
include:
- How many people will be
transported in the vehicle?
- What type of objects and cargo
will be transported in the vehicle (space considerations)?
- Will driving be conducted in poor
weather conditions or off-road (rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, all-wheel
drive)?
- Will stop-and-go or interstate
driving be performed? Thus, is an automatic, a semi-automatic, or a standard
transmission preferred?
- Is there a preference for a
domestic or a foreign vehicle?
- In a sport-utility vehicle, is a
more rugged full box type frame needed for off-road driving, or will a
unit-body type frame be suitable for intended general highway driving?
Additionally, what towing capacity should the sport-utility vehicle have?
- In a minivan, are sliding doors
needed on both sides, the left-side or the right-side of the vehicle for
easier entry and exit?
- How much will insurance cost to
protect the driver and the vehicle (consider obtaining an insurance quote
before buying a vehicle)?
- What is the approximate amount of
money to be spent on a vehicle?
If you are not familiar with which vehicles meet your
transportation needs, consider visiting a local public library to consult
the yearly publication or the April magazine issue of Consumer Reports.
This objective information source provides technical specifications for
vehicles including the size, weight, engine horsepower, optional equipment,
and miles per gallon of fuel. If technical information is desired for a
specific used vehicle, review the Consumer Reports issue
that matches the vehicle's year (1998 Toyota Avalon--consult the 1998
April issue of Consumer Reports).
After determining the type of automobile, sport-utility
vehicle, or minivan that satisfies your needs, it is worthwhile to consult Consumer
Reports' frequency-of-repair information to
identify specific vehicles that will likely have fewer future repairs.
Regarding the frequency-of-repair information, if a vehicle of interest is six
years old or less, consult the most recent April edition of Consumer
Reports. If the vehicle is more than six years old, add five years
to the vehicle's year and then consult that year's April issue of Consumer
Reports.
Web discussion groups are also a good source of "from
the street" information for identifying the strengths and
weaknesses of specific vehicles.
It is a good idea to identify at least two or three used
vehicles
In addition to becoming informed about particular vehicles, it
To obtain a general idea of vehicle prices, consult the current
monthly edition of the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide at a
Vehicle price information can also be obtained by consulting
the vehicle classified sections of major newspapers at a public library. This
is a convenient way to get a read on future prices, because vehicle price
trends usually begin in major cities and then progress to other areas of the
country. The bottom line on becoming informed about vehicles and prices
is to obtain a used vehicle that is in excellent condition, with a low repair
history, and at a substantial savings.
Identifying Used Vehicle Sources
There are a number of possible used vehicle sources from which
to choose. Rather than becoming overwhelmed with all the possible sources,
keep in mind that each source is actually competing with the others.
Therefore, when shopping for a vehicle, be certain to let each source know
that you are also considering the other sources.
Some of the sources to consider when buying a used vehicle include:
- The Internet (Investigate if the
source is reputable)
- Used automobile lots (buyer
beware)
- Rental car companies
- Company vehicles
- New automobile dealerships
(investigate if the dealer is reputable)
- Private owners
Contacting a used vehicle source by telephone and obtaining
specific information can help to reduce unnecessary legwork. The telephone
inquiry will enable you to determine if a vehicle is worth your time to
investigate.
Some questions to ask a private owner or other used vehicle
source about a vehicle include:
- How many miles has the vehicle
been driven (the average is about 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year)?
- Is the transmission an automatic,
a semi-automatic, or a manual? If the transmission is not what you want, there
is no need to ask further questions.
- What is the condition of the
vehicle's body? Is there any rust?
- Has the vehicle been repainted
and if so, why? Avoid repainted vehicles. It is better to see the original
paint even if a few small stone chips need to be touched-up.
- Has the vehicle been involved in
any accidents? Avoid vehicles that have been involved in any accidents.
- When are the next state
inspection and emissions standard test due? The vehicle should have a minimum
of at least six months remaining until the next required state inspection and
emissions test.
- How often were the engine oil and
the oil filter changed, and who performed the service? An acceptable answer
would be every 3,000 to 3,500 miles or about every three to four months.
- Are you the original owner of the
vehicle? Original owners tend to take better care of vehicles.
- What is the reason that the
vehicle is being sold? It is encouraging if the individual is the original
owner and if he or she is planning to again buy the same make of vehicle.
- Are parts and service readily
available for the vehicle? Where can parts and services be obtained? Avoid
buying a vehicle if parts and service are not readily available.
- Has the vehicle had any recent
repairs (new brakes, tires, exhaust, battery) or service and if so, what
garage performed the repairs or service?
- What price are you asking for the
vehicle?
The interior and exterior inspections and the vehicle test-drive
are used to verify the information obtained during the telephone inquiry.
* * * Copyright 2002 by Kyle Busch Read more Frugal Traveling & Automobile Tips Get Free Auto Insurance Quotes Sign up for our free monthly newsletter!
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