mechanics

8 Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car

Emily Guy Birken — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 09:30:14 +0000

Buying a used car can feel a little like a crap shoot. Is the car you have your eye on really worth the thousands you're going to spend on it? Or will you find it's held together with Band-Aids and twine after driving it off the dealer's lot?

But buying a used car doesn't have to be nerve-wracking or expensive. You just need to know what you should be asking throughout the process. These eight questions can help you to find an affordable used car that will keep you on the road for years to come. (See also: Could You Put Away a Million Dollars by Driving a Used Car?)

Questions to ask yourself

Before you even start debating the relative merits of a sedan versus an SUV, you need to ask yourself some important questions. These are going to be the basis of your used car purchasing decision, so don't think you can skip over them to get to the part where you're salivating over pictures of cars online.

1. How much work am I willing to do to get a deal?

When you buy a used car, you can spend money and save time by making a purchase from a reputable local dealer — or you can spend time and save money by buying direct from a local private seller. And whether you purchase from a dealer or a private seller, you can often find better deals if you broaden your search to include nearby cities.

This is why it's a good idea for you to recognize whether you have more time or more money at your disposal. If you know that you are not willing or able to devote a great deal of time to your search, you might not find the best price possible. And if you don't have a great deal of money to spend, your search might take longer while you try to find the right price.

2. What is my budget?

Whether you plan to pay cash for your used car or you expect to take on an auto loan, you need to start with a good look at how much car you can afford. According to the 2017 Edmunds Used Vehicle Market Report, the average price of a used car was a whopping $19,189 in 2016.

If you don't have the full cost of your new-to-you car saved up, make sure you have calculated the monthly cost of financing the vehicle. For instance, let's say you have $4,000 set aside to put down on a $19,000 car. A 48-month loan of $15,000 at 3.24 percent interest will cost you $334 per month.

Of course, your monthly car payment is not the only cost associated with buying a car. You will also need to calculate your insurance costs, since different vehicle models can have different insurance premiums. In addition, different vehicles can require varying levels of maintenance and the cost of parts, labor, and repairs can be higher or lower depending on which car you choose.

Taking the time to figure out your car shopping budget, as well as your insurance and maintenance budget, can help you zero in on the right make and model for your finances, even before you start looking for the specific car you want to buy.

3. How will I finance this purchase?

If you are planning to take on an auto loan, don't wait until after you've found the car you want to get your financing in place. Whether you are purchasing a car from a dealer or a private seller, having your financing secured ahead of time gives you an important bargaining chip. You will be empowered to negotiate with the seller in the same way that a cash buyer could. You will not be stuck with the terms offered by the dealer's financing options, and you will make it clear to a private seller that you are a motivated buyer.

To find the right loan, you can shop around among banks and credit unions for the best rates and terms. Doing this ahead of time will also allow you to make rational decisions that aren't motivated by lust for a particular vehicle that is calling your name.

Question to ask the internet

Now we get to the fun part. You've figured out your budget, so you can start looking online at local (or not-so-local, if you're willing to travel for a deal) used cars for sale. But rather than just make a list of possibilities in your price range, don't forget to do a little research on the particular makes and models that you are planning to test drive.

4. What are common problems with this make and model?

Automotive engineers and manufacturers are not perfect, which means there can be common problems with certain models that are predictable if you know a little about the brand. For instance, Honda Accord V6s released between 1999 and 2004 have a widespread transmission problem that often requires an expensive transmission replacement. While not all common problems are as costly as this one, it is always a good idea to know as much as possible about the known complaints about your potential purchase before you even go for a test drive.

If Google is not coming up with answers, consider finding a car enthusiast forum for the particular make and model you're looking to buy. Ask these friendly folks for some insight.

Questions to ask the seller over the phone

At this point, it's tempting to just go test drive the cars on your finalist list. But before you do this, you should pick up the phone and have a conversation with the dealer or seller. Here are some questions you can ask to help you narrow down your search before committing to a test drive:

5. Can you tell me about any recent maintenance or repair?

A used car has a history, which means there must have been some maintenance, and possibly some repair. You want to find a seller who is able to tell you what kinds of maintenance and repairs were recently done. If the seller claims that the 10-year-old vehicle you're interested in has needed nothing but oil changes, that could be a red flag, particularly if you know what common problems crop up on that make and model.

You should also consider pulling the car's history report from Carfax or Autocheck. That way, you can double check that the maintenance and repairs the seller claims to have done match up with those documented on the vehicle history report. (See also: How to Buy a Used Car Without Getting Ripped Off)

6. Can my mechanic look at the vehicle before I make my final decision?

If the answer is anything other than yes, hang up the phone and move on.

Questions to ask your mechanic

Once you've narrowed down the options, it's time to let your trusted mechanic give it a once-over. Since your mechanic may not feel comfortable just giving you a thumbs up or thumbs down, here are two questions to ask to help you decide if the car is right for you:

7. Did the owner do a good job of maintaining this vehicle?

A well-made car that was poorly maintained may be a worse bet than a mediocre car that was lovingly maintained. Your mechanic will be able to tell you if the previous owner stayed on top of necessary regular and irregular maintenance.

8. Did the previous owner use cheap parts or good parts?

Not all car parts are created equal. A previous owner who did repairs with low-quality, cheap parts may have done a disservice to the car (and the next owner). Other than taking the car completely apart, there will be no way to know if all replacement parts were high-quality — but asking if the easy-to-check parts are good quality can be a decent indicator that the previous owner took good care of the vehicle.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Common Car Repair Mistakes That Can Cost You

Mikey Rox — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 15:00:10 +0000

Until I bought my first new car with my own hard-earned cash, I took my previous, very used cars for granted. Maintenance schmaintenance, I thought — even though that likely resulted in most of those vehicles straight-up punking out on me. Like, stopping in the middle of the road and never starting again because they had had enough. My dad wasn't happy about it the first time, and he wasn't keen on my negligence the third time around either. Yeah — it was bad.

Of course, I've wised up since my teenage and college days — if only because the maintenance and repair work comes out of my pocket now. Yet, there are still corners I try to cut here and there, as I'm sure you do, too. The unfortunate result of that frugalness, however, could turn into an even more costly prospect down the road if you're not careful.

Take a look at these common car repair mistakes that you'll want to avoid lest you want your wallet running on empty.

1. Using a Discount Mechanic

We all want to save a few bucks on car repairs, especially if what needs to be replaced is already expensive. But just like all doctors and lawyers are not created equal, neither are mechanics — and it's in your best financial interest to know the difference. My rule of thumb when cost is a concern is generally to go middle of the road — not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but somewhere in the middle. I compare prices between service providers, consider online reviews, and also ask friends and families for referrals.

Rob Infantino, CEO of Openbay, an app to compare, book, and pay for car repairs, seconds that philosophy.

"Choose a shop that's convenient to you and that's well rated," he says. "If you chase the lowest price, you may not necessarily receive quality service. Corroborate the shop reviews on multiple sites, including Google, Openbay, and Yelp. Car repair can be a nuisance, so be sure the job's done once and done well. You don't want to have to head back to have a poor repair job fixed by someone else."

2. Filling the Engine With the Incorrect Weight/Type of Oil

My problem wasn't necessarily filling my car engines with the incorrect weight or type of oil (because, frankly, I had no idea that even mattered), but rather that I didn't fill the engine with oil very often, if at all. And because of that, you could totally hear me coming from three blocks away.

Richard Reina, training director at CARiD, advises against that practice, of course, but also provides insight on why you ought to mind the oil you're using, especially in terms of weight and type.

"While this won't generally cause any catastrophic engine failure, using incorrect oil will cause your engine to run inefficiently and deteriorate over time," he says. "Make sure to pay attention to the type of oil your vehicle recommends — synthetic, partial synthetic, or non-synthetic — and that you use the correct weight (i.e. 10W-30, 0W-40, 5W-20, etc.) for your vehicle and climate, and don't just choose what's on sale."

3. Skipping the Oil Change Altogether

This is pretty much how I blew up most of my cars' engines, as you've likely gathered by now. Perhaps I assumed the oil change fairy would swoop down in the middle of the night so I didn't have to worry about it? Things are a bit blurry from back then. In hindsight, I could have saved my parents, myself, and my college's campus safety department a world of hassle if I had just taken 30 minutes out of my day a few times a year to pop into a Jiffy Lube.

4. Letting Dirty Filters Go Unchanged

Air and fuel filters are an important part of your car's anatomy that when left unattended can lead to bigger problems. As Bankrate.com puts it, "Dirty air or fuel filters can cause various sensors on a car to fail, resulting in a repair bill of hundreds of dollars. A failed sensor is a common reason for a 'check engine' light to illuminate and also results in the engine misfiring. Ignoring this problem could cause the larger problem of the catalytic converter failing, which would result in the car not passing an emissions inspection until it is repaired at a cost approaching $1,000 for many cars."

5. Forgoing Scheduled Maintenance

Believe it or not, you car manual has another purpose besides taking up space in your glove compartment. It contains everything you need to know about your car (including some DIY fixes for common car issues that can save you money if you just crack it open), as well as information on when you should have your car inspected and tuned up. Following these instructions gives your car the best chance for maximum longevity — without costly repairs at every corner — which, in the long run, can save you thousands of dollars on maintenance and the need to buy a new car prematurely.

6. Forgetting to Rotate Tires and Check Air Pressure

Not rotating your tires or checking your air pressure on a regular basis can cause uneven tread wear and the deterioration of your tires, which leads to many other potential problems including strain on steering and suspension parts (such as tie rod ends), uneven traction, and vibration when driving.

"Most shops will rotate your tires for a nominal fee, or you can do this yourself if you have a jack and jack stand at home," Reina says. "Air pressure can be easily checked at most local gas stations."

And remember, air temperature affects tire inflation, so even if your tires do not leak air, they will still need to be checked as the weather changes throughout the year.

7. Overlooking Wear on Brake Pads

Do people cringe when you turn a corner? Can't figure out what that screeching sound is when you come to a stop sign? That's actually your brakes crying for help, and you should have that looked at before you become a nuisance to your whole neighborhood, or, ya know, have an accident.

"By replacing brake pads on a regular basis, you can actually save money since a brake rotor lasts much longer when pads are changed regularly," Reina says. "If pads are left until they are completely worn, they will scratch and score the rotor. When changing brakes, the most expensive part of the job is the rotors, so preserving them will save money in the long run."

8. Neglecting Brake, Transmission, and Other Fluids

One word: Antifreeze. I didn't learn it until it was too late, but there's still hope for you. In addition to winterizing your car with antifreeze, however, there are other fluids your car needs besides fuel to run efficiently. You can check your owner's manual for the list of fluids and their respective change schedules to stay on top of things. Most importantly, you can save yourself money on the front and backend by doing it yourself. Most of these fluids are easy to replace by even the most clueless of drivers; I'm living proof. If you're not completely sure what you're doing, ask one of your more rugged friends. They probably know what's up, and they won't mind helping out — so long as they can laugh at you a little bit first.

Are there other costly but common car repair mistakes that you'd like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below.

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Sites Every Car Owner Needs to Bookmark Now

Carlos Portocarrero — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:24:12 +0000

Owning a car is very convenient. From buying groceries to making weekend trips to IKEA, when you own a car, it’s a lot easier to get it all done.

One thing that does suck is when your car breaks down. Unless you’re a car nut, how do you know if you’re being scammed? Does a busted Johnson Rod really cost $1,400 to repair? Who knows. That’s why so many car owners are at the mercy of unscrupulous mechanics around the country.

But if you use these six sites, you’ll be able to find someone you can trust and save some money in repairing and maintaining your car. (See also: Disguise Your Stuff to Prevent Car Break-ins)

Facebook

The first thing car owners need is a shop they can trust. You can’t stay on top of maintenance and repairs if you don’t have a mechanic to take the car to.

What better place to start than Facebook? Ask your friends and family who they trust and where they’ve had good experiences.

If a couple people mention the same place, then that’s a great place to try.

Yelp

Facebook is a great starting point, but unless you have a million friends (sad trombone noise), the odds are you won’t get a ton of feedback on a whole bunch of shops. What Yelp does is bring some scale into the equation.

Look up each place that’s near you or was recommended on Facebook, and see what the rest of the world thinks of it. It’s a lot easier to decide between a few places when one has an average of two stars and some horror stories versus another with solid reviews.

Angie’s List

I’ve never used Angie’s List because they charge a membership fee, but I’ve heard good things about them. They’re kind of like Yelp in that they compile user reviews on different contractor services (including mechanics).

If you want to be really thorough or if you’re already a member, definitely check out all the shops you’re considering on this site.

Repairpal

Repairpal will take your make, model, zip code, and specific type of repair and spit out a range of what it might cost to get the repair done. They also break it down by parts and labor.

It’s like getting a second opinion in two minutes, and it’s awesome.

Granted, these are estimates. But they do take your location into account, so they shouldn’t be too far off. The way they compile their data is pretty thorough, so this is a really good resource.

If a shop’s estimate is way off, ask them why and mention you’ve gotten a second opinion...they may have a valid answer. And they may not...

Another cool feature is that you can create an account and save all the information on your car. You can keep track of when your next oil change is due, any work done to the car, etc. Staying on top of your regular maintenance is HUGE if you want to save money by preventing bigger problems from developing.

You can also try AutoMD and DriverSide to get additional estimates on a repair.

Carmaker’s Website

For one reason only — they’ll usually have the car’s manual available online. I know people don’t like reading manuals, but I recently discovered something pretty interesting when it comes to cars — everything you need to know is in the manual.

I was trying to figure out if some of the repairs the dealership had quoted me were B.S. or not, and everything I read pointed to one source — the manual.

How often should I change the oil?
Do I really need to change the air filter?
What maintenance should I do at 90,000 miles?

All this stuff is in the manual. Forget about what the “experts” say — don’t you think the people that actually built the thing would know better?

iTunes/Android Market

Apps are cool. We love apps. So what better way to stay on top of your repairs and checkups?

No one likes spending the time and money to get a car checked out when nothing obvious is wrong, but regular maintenance can keep your car running longer and better. So why not get all your car’s information loaded up into an iPhone or Android app? That way the app can tell you when to get the tires rotated, the oil changed, and all that good stuff.

For the iPhone, I like Car Minder Plus, and for Android aCar is a good free one — although I use Car Maintenance Reminder Pro ($1.99).

These six sites should help you find a place you can trust and stay on top of your regular maintenance. That alone should save you a fair amount of money and stress. For more ways to save, check out these six tools to save money on car repairs.

This article is from Carlos Portocarrero of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Back the Truck Up: How to Avoid Car Repair Rip-Offs

Tisha Tolar — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:00:15 +0000

The colder temperatures and inclement weather may signal the need for a checkup at the mechanic shop. Auto repair shops are infamous for overcharging customers who don’t know any better and only want their vehicles to operate reliably and safely. (See also: Safety Tips for Holiday Driving.)

While not all shops deserve a bad reputation, there are quite a few with a history of taking people for more money than necessary. Just recently, my 2004 Kia acquired a hole in the exhaust system. The noise coming from the car resembled a loud motorcycle, and I was embarrassed every time I turned on the ignition. We finally had to break down and visit the repair shop for an estimate. We were told after a brief "look-see-listen" that the part alone would be close to $1,000 and with labor, we may face a bill of $1,300 or more. We made a scheduled appointment to bring the car back, and in the meantime consulted with a mechanic friend. He told us he thought he could repair the part rather than replace it, and eventually we only had to pay a total of $124 for the weld job. Thank goodness we had someone on our side.

While not every mechanic is out to intentionally swindle a customer, there are still some precautionary measures one should take when dealing with auto repair companies in order to save money. Here are some tips to prevent being overcharged, underserviced, and scared into services you don’t even need.

Find Reputable Shops

You want to select a mechanic shop that is licensed in the state and certified by the ASE or AAA. Get referrals from friends and family too.

Check It Out

When you get to the shop, check out the condition of the equipment in the garage, and how the garage looks in general. An outdated, unkempt garage may be a red flag for the competency and expectations of the shop. If you come across a shop owner who says he doesn't need the latest equipment to get the job done, you might want to consider finding someone else to do the work.

Refuse to Sign Blank Documents

For any type of work you plan on having done, make sure you only sign off on work orders that have specific job instructions and price estimates. Any work outside the scope of the original order should have to go through you first. Never sign any forms that are blank or that don’t contain pertinent information.

Don’t Fall for Dramatics

If you are told by the mechanic that essentially your car is on its last leg when you are pretty sure the problem is only minor, you should reconsider your choice in mechanics. If you are not mechanically savvy, find a friend who can accompany you to the appointment to make it less likely you’ll get suckered into paying for services your vehicle doesn’t need. Some unprofessional individuals will use scare tactics and "family safety" points to hook you for more services and money.

For Big Jobs, Consult with the Dealer

If you find that something major is wrong with your vehicle such as the emission system, it is a good idea to check back at the place you purchased the vehicle to find out about the warranty. Some parts of vehicles' major systems are covered by long warranties, and in some cases, part replacement is required by law to be free.

Get a Second Opinion

After you have received a rough idea of how much it will cost to get your vehicle fully operational, it never hurts to get a second opinion. If you do seek another’s advice, make sure to keep your lips zipped about your previous estimates and work order. You never want to influence your back-up opinion provider.

This article is from Tisha Tolar of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: