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If you are a prospective car buyer, finding just the right car for you is a decision not to be made lightly. Everyone’s needs are different and when you factor in personal tastes, there’s just no telling what will push you into making the final decision.
It’s easy to get carried away when you shop for a car: the smell of the brand-new upholstery, the satisfying purr of the motor, not to mention the slick salesman promising you outrageous deals, all conspire into making you part with your hard-earned money. Hopefully you will find a great deal for the amount of money that you are willing to pay. However you put it though, buying a car will cost a fair amount of money; you do want a car that is in decent condition and that will last for several years don’t you? It is of utmost importance then to do research on the particular models you are most interested in, know the current market trends in car sales and weigh your options carefully so you are confident of making the right choice when it comes time to whip out your checkbook.
The type of car you choose will be dependent on several factors: are you looking for a roomy, comfortable way to truck your kids to ballet class or soccer practice or are you searching for a rugged, off-road trail warrior who willingly follows were your adventurous spirit leads? Maybe you want to tear it up at the racetrack in a screaming blaze of high-octane performance or perhaps gas mileage and ecological-friendliness are your primary concerns. Either way, consider what your expectations and projected requirements are for your planned vehicle and anticipate your need in the future. You’re family may grow beyond it’s current size or you may have a need to use your vehicle for an expanding business. Think of what’s best for your needs and choose a solid, practical model; this year’s flashy, 2-seater with day-glow paintjob and shiny designer rims might get your pulse racing but is it really what you need and can use many years down the line?
Get up-to-date on the latest models though, so you at least know what’s out there and get a feel for current market rates. Check out what new features and innovations have come out recently; the automobile industry is a fast-paced one and new enhancements are coming out all the time.
Jim Karter is a auto magazine writer writing for many American and European car and auto magazines. He also runs a website on http://www.drnew.com giving details of services of all car dealers in America.
Not too long ago, the words “auto manufacturer” meant dealing with the “Big Three” – the American manufacturing companies like General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. Everyone bought their cars and they were clearly industry leaders – powerful companies that ranked high in customer satisfaction, made quality vehicles and were the most popular cars to own. Times have definitely changed. Not only are the “Big Three” not as powerful as they once were, they have lost the loyalty of so many Americans who now look toward other manufacturers for better value and better prices, even if it means ignoring American pride and going after imported cars instead.
When I think of importing a vehicle from, say, Japan, I’m not talking about those that are really made in the U.S.A. – cars like Toyotas, Hondas or Nissans. I mean an actual imported vehicle that comes from Japan and is shipped overseas through the efforts of an automobile exporter.
I have several reasons why I think these imported autos from Japan are better than those made here in the U.S. One big reason is the exchange rate. It’s more attractive financially to obtain a car directly from Japan, even when you include the extra fees and monies you pay for shipping and taxes. It’s simply cheaper to buy a car directly from Japan than it is to buy a similar car made in the U.S. In addition, I can afford a much nicer car if I buy straight from Asia. The price difference can be in the range of thousands.
If I am in the market for a used car, I’ll get a better deal from those shipped over from Japan. The Japanese car owners don’t rely on their vehicles on a daily basis like we do in the U.S. They use scooters, public transportation or simply walk instead of using their cars. Often, Japanese cars are saved for weekend trips so they aren’t like these high-mileage used cars you’ll find here. I can buy a car from Japan that is several years’ old, pay a reasonable price and I won’t be looking at inheriting a steep mileage on the car. What’s more, you won’t find many of these models made in the United States so their rarity makes them far more special than your average “foreign car”.
When I initially thought of the idea, I didn’t think it would be worth the extra hassle and I wasn’t sure how much extra it would cost to directly import and ship a Japanese vehicle. I thought it would take forever and I didn’t know if I could trust any of the importers. Finally, I did my homework and found an exporter that I felt comfortable with and who had a decent reputation. Once I discovered it wasn’t that big of a deal, I made the leap and bought an automobile I liked. It took a while to be shipped overseas, but my efforts were rewarded with a car I truly liked.
My personal advice is to dump the usual set of cars made here in the U.S. and think about buying an import from Japan that is reasonably priced and in good condition.
More from this author at: http://www.myautos-magazine.com
You can save a lot of time and fuel by making a list of questions to ask when buying a used car, and phoning around before you try and drive. In part three of my used car buying tips article series, I covered the topics of organized note taking during phone interviews, rust awareness, and problems the owner may have knowledge of concerning their own car. In this part I’ll go over some specific mechanical aspects which are typical problem areas with used cars.
Engine Issues:
How is the engine? Does it burn oil? This is a good thing to know because an engine that burns oil is worn out to some degree. When a car is burning oil it means that the oil in the engine, which is there for lubrication and cooling purposes, is escaping into the combustion chamber somehow, and going out the tailpipe as blue stinky smoke. That means that the car is excessively polluting the air, and more oil must be added to replace what has been lost. These things can be expensive to fix.
Similarly, oil leaking from the seals of the engine will land on the ground and end up polluting the streams, rivers and oceans in your area. Like the increased air pollution from an oil burning car, the oil leaking car is an environmental menace. Repair of oil burning problems usually requires a major overhaul of the engine. Oil leaks may require similarly complex repairs, or they may be much simpler. A leaking valve cover gasket is a very common oil leak affecting many cars which can be repaired with a $6 gasket and an hour of labor.
Transmission:
Ask the owner if the transmission shifts without any grinding. If not, this can be expensive to fix. Ask them about the clutch, when it was last replaced, and if they have the bill for it. If it has never been replaced, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It may indicate that the car has been driven gently. It could be a $500+ job if it needs one though, which is ok if the asking price reflects that needed work.
Tires and Wheels, Glass and Exhaust:
Ask them about the tires. New tires cost around $100 each and up, depending on the car. Are the wheels steel or aluminum? Aluminum ones cost more when the car was new, and are generally more valuable, and nicer looking. Is the windshield cracked or pitted? New ones start at around $200 and go up from there. How about the muffler? Is it quiet? When was it last replaced? A new one of decent quality will cost a few hundred bucks minimum.
Brakes:
Brakes need to be done every couple of years on any car. When were they last done? Both front and rear? You can expect to pay $100 per wheel to have them done at least. You will need to have the brakes up to standard to insure your newly purchased used car, as a vehicle inspection is usually required by insurance companies. This is a good thing since it can save your life and the lives of others.
Paint:
What color is the car? How does the paint look? Like the rust question, this is a matter of perceptions, but its worth asking. Has the car ever been painted? If so, when? New paint may indicate that the car was rusted, or in an accident. New paint can be a good thing, especially if the paint has been there for a few years and still looks good. Original paint is the best though, because then you can see that there’s no rust or accidents, and they do paint right at the factory!
Interior Condition:
How is the interior? The condition of the upholstery is easy to see, and may reflect the level of care that has been taken in looking after the rest of the car. Find out what color the interior is too. Do you like that color? Asking if the car has ever been smoked in is a good idea if you like things that are clean. The difference in cleanliness between the interiors of a smoker’s car and a non-smoker’s car is quite remarkable.
The Price:
What is the asking price? It says in the ad, but ask anyway and make sure you are both on the same page about this important detail. Are they flexible on the price? See what they say.
The Location:
Find out where the car can be seen, and when. If they don’t want to meet you at their home, that should be a red flag. They may have lots of cars there, and try to meet you somewhere, anywhere but their place! Seeing where they live and the condition of their home will give you greater insight into how they take care of their lives, and therefore their cars. I like to go to their place to see what it looks like, so I can get a feel for how they take care of their stuff.
Follow Mike’s article series for tips on used car buying on his blog at http://www.carsopia.com/ and check out the Car Buying Tutorial at http://www.cartorials.com/
QtAutoNews.com is an on-line information and communication service provided by ClknGo Software Corporation (”CLKNGO”) which is aimed at the affiliate resale market. Your use of QtAutoNews.com signifies Your agreement to the Terms and Conditions (as defined below).