Auto Trends Magazine — Page 175 of 176 — Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

Cash For Clunkers Doesn’t Go Far Enough

June 10, 2009 by admin 1 Comment

I am not one for seeing the federal government create endless taxpayer assistance programs, believing that the consumer is the best party to determine what he or she should buy. However, I’ve resigned myself to seeing Congress and the Obama administration spend money like no administration before it, supposedly in a bid to rescue us from the current economic slump or to pass new programs designed to expand government control.

Older models like the Ford Bronco may qualify under the federal government’s Cash For Clunkers law. However, your old ride must be scrapped or recycled and you’ll get just $3500 to $4500 toward a trade in.

Cash For Clunkers is one program that I want the federal government to spend money on for the simple reason they have been spending money everywhere else, but with little impact on the economy. Any program that actually puts cash in the consumer’s hand is better than tossing those funds at bankrupt financial institutions, car companies and other larger businesses who have failed. At least with the consumer you have someone who isn’t as likely to squander their monies, carefully choosing what they want to buy and how much they’ll pay.

House Bill Doesn’t Go Far Enough

However, I am disappointed by the Cash For Clunkers bill (H.R. 2751) that was passed by the US House of Representatives yesterday, one that will barely have an effect on the auto industry. True, eligible buyers will be able to use a voucher worth $3500 to $4500 toward the purchase of a new, fuel efficient vehicle, but the vehicle they must trade in has to get under 18 mpg.

Consider this — over the past decade or so, there have been only a handful of vehicles that return such awful gas mileage. Heck, even some editions of the Corvette get up to 28 mpg on the highway! Sure, a few newer models like the Ford Excursion and Hummer H2 qualify, but if you think that someone will trade these vehicles in for a paltry credit, that’s crazy. After all, qualifying vehicles must be scrapped or recycled and no additional monies will be given even if the book value is well above $4500 as it is for some newer versions of these models.

Your Dead Clunker Doesn’t Qualify

Lest you think that you can take that beater sitting in your back yard and trade it in, you’ll need to think again. An important requirement with this program is that vehicles must have been registered and insured for the past year to avoid having people push in inoperable cars for credit. Congress may have set aside four billion dollars for this program, but they’re not about to let unregistered and uninsured junkers qualify which is actually a good thing.

There is a chance that as the U.S. Senate takes up this bill, that some of the parameters will be changed. I believe sales would be stimulated if just about any older vehicle, let’s say eight or ten years or older was included in this program. As it stands right now, the law will provide a little bit of help, but nowhere the results that Germany and other European countries have experienced since launching their own scrappage programs earlier this year.

Cash For Clunkers is one of the better ideas floated in some time. I only wish that our elected representatives planned to offer one that would truly stimulate the economy as this version of the bill will have little or no effect.

See Also — How to Scrap Your Rustbucket

Source: Detroit Free Press

Is The Hyundai Equus U.S. Bound?

May 15, 2009 by admin 1 Comment

Since launching the Hyundai Genesis here in America last year, the South Korean automaker has reported decent interest in both the luxury sedan and sport coupe that share the Genesis name. Sales are good and the awards from members of the automotive press have been positive if not downright giddy.

Sampling The Hyundai Equus

Hyundai Equus Hyundai may soon be doing an encore to the Genesis in the form of its flagship Equus sedan, a car that is bigger, longer and heavier than the Genesis, a true BMW 7 Series fighter. News reports are indicating that one hundred copies of the Equus will soon arrive in the US, with plans to tour Hyundai’s dealer network and measure public reaction.

The Equus line has been in use for some time and is all new for 2010. In Korea, the Genesis and Equus represent the top of the line Hyundai models which also include tiny little cars such as the i10 which aren’t sold stateside. However, there is some concern that the Equus along with the Genesis should carry another brand name much as Toyota did when it separated its luxury cars from everything else to create Lexus. The rest is history.

New Yorkers Were Equus Gawkers

People attending the New York International Auto Show this past April got a glimpse of the Equus, as Hyundai decided to put the big sedan on display there. Powered by a 4.6L V8, the Equus is positioned to battle the Mercedes S-Class, Lexus LS and the BMW 7 Series.

Other than the Wikipedia file photo, not a whole lot else is known about the Equus, given that it has been newly released in South Korea and is scheduled to go on sale next month in China. Hopefully, I’ll be one of the lucky ones to obtain an Equus test drive this summer. If I do, you’ll certainly hear about it here!

See Also — Midsize Luxury Sedan: 2017 Genesis G80

Local Car Mechanics Rated!

April 13, 2009 by admin Leave a Comment

Among the more challenging aspects of owning a car is finding a good and trustworthy mechanic to maintain your vehicle. When it comes to consumer complaints and the repair industry, auto mechanics routinely rank high on that list with many car owners finding it difficult to locate a capable garage.

Online Search & Repairing Your Car

car mechanic Now there is a website, Repair Pal at www.repairpal.com, that can make it easier to find a good mechanic in your area. The site gives independent, unbiased repair estimates before you take it to a garage and also includes user ratings and reviews.

Just enter in your zip code under “Find The Right Repair Shop” and you’ll get a list of repair shops near your home. You can shop sites by the make of your car or obtain a generalized list of service providers in your area.

You can sort your list by A-Z, relevance, distance from your home and rating. With the latter category those ratings are from one-star to five-star with no stars highlighted showing that the shop has yet to be rated.

Three Top Shops In My Area

In my area I found three five-star shops and immediately clicked on the one closest to my home. That move resulted in more details about the shop including address, phone number, directional map, makes served, specialties, amenities and affiliations.

A repair shop’s score consists of three parts: quality of work, customer service and confidence score. The latter is described on the site as, “…based on the completeness of each shop or dealer listing and the elements of that listing. The more listing information available about a shop, and the higher the quality of that shop’s verified affiliations, the higher the Confidence Score.”

Repair Pal also features an encyclopedia which is more like a repository of articles on a variety of subjects including how to buy car tires, cv joint replacement, heater blower motor, you name it. In addition, you can keep all of the repair information about your car right online for easy access at any time.

Finally, there is a related blog that is frequently updated which offers repair tips, new model information and much more, allowing reader participation for registered users.

Chrysler Marks Minivan 25th Anniversary

March 18, 2009 by admin 1 Comment

Chrysler Minivans — Chrysler’s family of minivans first rolled out in 1983 as 1984 models. To celebrate the Silver Anniversary of these iconic people haulers, Chrysler is rolling out two very special edition models to mark the occasion.

If you had choose one vehicle from Chrysler produced over the past twenty five years that best represents the automaker which one would you choose? Jeep Wrangler? Dodge Ram? Chrysler 300? Something else?

Personally, I would choose the company’s fleet of minivans which have been sold under Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth (RIP) brands since first launched in 1984. These vehicles launched an entirely new segment of cars, people haulers that were compact, fuel efficient and reasonably priced.

Minivans Usurp Station Wagons As Family Car Fav

If anything, credit the minivan with putting to death the American station wagon, itself the favorite people hauler of the post-WWII generation.

Chrysler LLC is marking the 25th anniversary of its bread and butter vehicles by rolling out special-edition 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition minivans offering what they say are premium interior features, unique exterior accents and new exterior paint colors.

Since Chrysler began its minivan development more than 25 years ago, no competitor has innovated as many minivan-first features as Chrysler and Dodge minivans,” said Mike Accavitti, Director–Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Brands, Chrysler LLC. “With numerous minivan segment-exclusive features like Stow `n Go seating and storage, dual-DVD entertainment system and an unsurpassed fuel economy rating, it is no surprise that 2009 Chrysler and Dodge minivans together command more than 40 percent of the U.S. minivan market.

Concerning the special edition models Chrysler has this to say about them:

2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition

The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition minivans feature a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and fluid six-speed automatic transmission. In addition, this special-edition Chrysler Town & Country features an even more luxurious interior. New interior combinations in Dark Slate Gray and Light Shale are paired with Dark Maple Burl trim and satin finishes on the instrument panel and doors to provide added detail. New monotone Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale seats feature perforated leather and are finished with French-seamed seat stitching. Additional standard features include the minivan-first Stow `n Go seating and storage system, UConnect tunes, minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, LED lighting with ambient halo light ring, heated first- and second-row seating and UConnect tunes.

Exterior equipment on the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition includes the availability of all-new Mineral Gray Metallic exterior paint, unique nine-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels with Mineral Gray Metallic painted pockets, chrome belt and body-side moldings, roof rack with cross bars and “25th Anniversary Edition” badging.

Available features on this special-edition 2009 Chrysler Town & Country include segment-exclusive UConnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile, UConnect gps, all-new Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) accident-avoidance systems and the 4.0-liter aluminum V-6 engine that achieves a minivan-best fuel economy label of 17 city / 25 highway mpg.

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition

The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition minivans feature a fluid six-speed automatic transmission and powerful 4.0-liter aluminum V-6 engine with a minivan-best fuel economy label of 17 city / 25 highway mpg as standard equipment. Inside, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition adds even more enhancements to the contemporary Dodge interior. Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale interior combinations complement the sporty interior of the Dodge brand’s fifth-generation minivan. A unique combination of Blackwood on the instrument panel and doors accent satin finishes and provide a sense of added detail. An updated instrument panel includes a new Dodge-specific four-gauge cluster, additional satin finishes and a glove box with Blackwood trim. New monotone Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale seats feature perforated leather with French-seamed seat stitching. Additional standard features include minivan-first Stow `n Go seating and storage system, heated first- and second-row seating, UConnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio and LED lighting with ambient halo light ring.

Additional available equipment on the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition includes the availability of all-new Mineral Gray Metallic exterior paint, new sport-tuned suspension with unique five-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels featuring Mineral Gray painted pockets, chrome belt moldings, fog lamps, roof rack with cross bars and “25th Anniversary Edition” badging.

Some of the available features on this special-edition 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan include minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, UConnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile, UConnect gps, all-new BSM and RCP accident-avoidance systems.

See Also — List of Best Midsize Sedans for 2012

Source: Chrysler LLC

Internet Car Radio? Sweet!

February 17, 2009 by admin Leave a Comment

Our cars have become extensions of our living rooms and now, thanks to internet technology, are extensions of our offices as well. One area where that technology is expected to really begin to grow is via the car radio. Yes, internet car radio that is!

Internet Car Radio Technology

Blaupunkt Internet Radio Earlier this year at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, miRoamer and Blaupunkt announced that they had formed a partnership to bring internet car radio technology to the masses. That partnership promises to introduce the world’s very first Internet car radio, giving drivers access to the world’s largest and most diverse selection of Internet radio content through their car stereo. Sweet!

“The beauty of Internet car radio is the customized user experience,” said George Parthimos, Founder and CEO, miRoamer. “Today, users want to jump in their car and go – no pulling out third-party devices or plugging in cords to access their music and information. miRoamer’s development with Blaupunkt is the first seamless Internet radio solution. Now, with the simple push of a button, users can access AM/FM stations or Internet radio’s thousands of music, entertainment, news and talk stations from around the world, all from the same car stereo.”

The Blaupunkt internet radio will allow drivers to tune into miRoamer’s tens of thousands of radio stations, getting a feel as if they’re there. Users’ favorite Internet radio stations can be easily chosen by means of clearly arranged information on a large screen display, enriched by leading edge performance in terms of car multimedia and consumer electronics connectivity.

Blaupunkt Stereos With miRoamer Technology

“The move to develop an Internet car radio solution is a new paradigm and a real starting point for in-car digital media,” said Robert Demian, Head of Global Sales, miRoamer. “miRoamer was the first and remains the only true digital media platform. By partnering with Blaupunkt, who has always been recognized as the first to introduce new and innovative products to the car audio markets, consumers now have access to all of the great benefits of Internet radio in their car, while experiencing unparalleled sound quality and reliability that is far superior to what they are accustomed.”

“Integrating Blaupunkt stereos with miRoamer technology was a logical step in creating a truly multimedia driving experience,” said Dr. Gerhard Pitz, Head of Product Center, Car Radio, Blaupunkt. “Drivers will be able to use all the features they’re familiar with, such as phone, address book, Bluetooth and navigation, but with the first Internet radio, driven by miRoamer, we are able to offer them the ability to tune into the world.”

Currently, miRoamer offers the ability to browse genres or stations and customize preferences, providers and search options online at miroamer.com. The Internet portal also allows users to add media that is not currently offered on miRoamer, by simply providing the URL and adding it to their favorites.

See Also — Auto Trends, Five Years Later

R.I.P. – Pontiac’s El Camino Wannabe

January 6, 2009 by admin 1 Comment

Pontiac G8 Pickup Truck — General Motors announced that the Pontiac G8 ST, also known as the “El Camino” to car-truck diehards, will not go into production after all. The automaker canceled the project leaving the G8 sedan to soldier on alone.

When GM released the Pontiac G8 last spring, I was thrilled to see that the automaker had finally given the brand a car worthy of the Pontiac name. The G8 is a bold, strong, rear wheel driven five-passenger sedan based on the Australian Holden Commodore platform, just the sort of car needed to redefine the Pontiac name.

Along with the G8, GM had said that a car-truck version of the vehicle was going to be developed, an “El Camino” type truck that stirred the hearts of people who desired to see such a vehicle brought to market. When GM announced a contest to name the truck, the El Camino name received a strong response, but the automaker decided to go with the ST which is a rather dull abbreviation for sport truck.

See Also — The History of the Pontiac Fiero

Alas, the G8 ST will not go into production after all according to sources within and without General Motors. The company placed the project “under review” last month as part of the automaker’s review of its entire portfolio. Though GM hasn’t said whether Pontiac itself is dead, the automaker has no plans to bring the Pontiac G8 ST to market.

As far as this ST fan goes, I am personally very disappointed, though not entirely surprised by the announcement.

Originally slated to launch late this fall, the ST would have been a nice complement to the sedan. But, with GM sales tanking and the world in the grip of a worsening recession, the ST project has been canceled.

This may actually work to GM’s favor as the ST would have been a low volume vehicle in the first place. With gas prices remaining unstable, the ST’s survival would be threatened when gas prices climb as they are expected to do later this spring.

R.I.P. Pontiac G8 ST…we hardly knew ya!

Photo copyright General Motors Company.

Winter Driving Means Exercising Special Precautions Throughout The Season

December 30, 2008 by admin 1 Comment

Cold air has pushed down from Canada while moisture is moving east out of the Rockies, a dynamic mixture that means only one thing: snow, ice and freezing rain will impact all of the midwest and northeast over the next few days, making driving treacherous in some areas. Certainly, if you don’t have to be out on the roads during the worst of natures fury, you’ll want to ride this storm out.

It seems that the auto clubs and insurance companies are each doing their part to alert drivers of the pending problems of venturing out on the highway during the worst of the weather, urging people to wait the storm out. But, as we all know, work beckons and some of us are still away from home during the holiday season and needing to get back to where we live. A one day delay may not be possible for everyone.

“The best defense is preparation,” said Mike Convery, chief claim officer at MetLife Auto & Home. “Experience has shown us that many winter-related claims are avoidable, which is why it’s important to make sure your vehicle’s well-equipped and in good condition to take on the cold weather. By taking precautions, and being aware of what actions to take when you’re on the road, you may be able to avoid a serious accident and protect your loved ones from injury.”

Before the snow starts to fall, consider the following:

Give your vehicle a tune-up. Check the level of antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid, and make sure the battery is fully charged. If you haven’t changed your wiper blades in the past six months, purchase a fresh set.
Inspect your tires for bulges and uneven wear. If you get stuck in the snow, worn tires won’t be much help. Worn tire can also create potentially dangerous situations, too, such as a blowout on the road.
Keep emergency gear in your car. Make sure you have things like a flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, shovel, and snow brush, windshield wiper fluid, and warning devices (such as flares). Also, consider packing a “winter survival kit” that includes blankets, a bright piece of cloth to tie to your antenna, a flashlight with spare batteries, non-perishable foods, such as candy bars, and waterproof matches.

Snow, ice, and extreme cold can also cause problems for vehicles, especially during snow and ice storms, when driving can become treacherous. When braving the winter weather:

Drive slowly. Let someone know what route you’re taking and when you plan to arrive, so they can take action and alert authorities, if you don’t get there or are unreasonably delayed.
Consider the road conditions. Driving over the speed limit—or even at normal speed that would be considered unreasonable based on the conditions —can be hazardous, and the extra time you gain isn’t worth the risk.
Avoid ice patches. Avoid icy skids by matching your speed to the road conditions and taking precautions on curves and turns by slowing down in advance. Also, remember that ice patches are particularly common on-ramps, bridges, and overpasses, which tend to freeze first.
Slide smart. To bring a sliding car under control, remove your foot from both the accelerator and brake pedals, unless your vehicle has an antilock braking system (ABS). In that case, depress the brake pedal as hard as possible until the vehicle stops moving. Meanwhile, turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the front wheels to go and continue steering and counter steering.

Even with the best of precautions, your car may still end up stuck in a snowbank. Above all, don’t panic: try to push the snow out of the way of the wheels, by turning the steering wheel from side to side a few times or digging out with a shovel. Ease forward, keeping a light touch on the gas, and don’t spin the wheels or you’ll dig yourself in deeper. Rock the vehicle, shifting from forward to reverse and back again. If this doesn’t work, use your cell phone to call for help and then wait in your car, because it’s easy to get disoriented in the snow.

To stay warm, turn on the motor for 10 minutes every hour for heat, and make sure you have your window open a crack, for fresh air. Check to ensure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe. For best visibility, light two flares and place one at each end of the car, a safe distance away.

I also recommend that drivers not leave home without some sort of auto club arrangement in place. We’ve had a lot of success with AAA over the years, an auto club that provides towing, lockout service, car restart and other services. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a snowbank somewhere and needing the state to shovel you out – you’ll be responsible for that bill and you could end up causing a much worse accident!

Source: MetLife Auto & Home

Winter Prep: Replace Your Worn Out Tires

November 20, 2008 by admin 1 Comment

Very soon, much of the nation will be in the icy grip of Old Man Winter, a season that promises to supply us with plenty of cold air, ice and snow. If we are fortunate enough, we will have a rather tame few months, with warmer air keeping the worst of the season’s fury at bay.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Regardless of just how this winter turns out, your car should be ready to withstand the worst of nature’s wrath. Your tires, which play a significant role in keeping your car on the road and moving, need to be ready for the months ahead. Not surprising, many drivers just do not check their tires often enough, putting themselves, their passengers and other motorists at risk.

Inspect Your Tires Monthly

You have heard the recommendation before: check your tires at least once a month to find out if they have enough air and are safe to drive on. Regular check-ups can help you determine if your tires need to be serviced or replaced. Most flats can be handled and repaired, but if you have a blowout or most of the tread is gone, then you need new tires.

Worn tires are a hazard, a potential safety problem that can cause an accident, injuring or even killing you. Most states regulate tire wear as a tire with not enough tread depth is prone to skidding, a common enough event during the winter months.

(See Also — 7 Winter Driving Safety Tips)

The Abe Lincoln Test

One way that drivers can determine if their tires are worn and in need of replacement is to invite Abe Lincoln to a test. Specifically, a Lincoln penny placed in the shallow tread groove with his head down, an effort that will reveal whether there is enough tread left or not.

If the top of Lincoln’s head remains visible, then the tire doesn’t have enough tread and should be replaced. Check out our tips on buying new tires for your car.

The Wear Bar Test

Another way to check for wear is to look for those narrow bands that appear inside the grooves crossing the tire’s tread. Wear bars are not seen until the tires have been worn down (hence its name). When the wear bars appear, your tires should be replaced.

Of course, if you are not sure if your tires need replacing or would prefer that someone else take a look for you, most tire stores offer a free brake inspection and check your tires too. Be safe this winter and put “tire checking” on your list of safety items to inspect on a regular basis.

Mexico City’s Love Affair With Volkswagen Beetle Is Over

October 3, 2008 by admin 2 Comments

The capital city of Mexico has one feature that no other city in the world can boast of: a huge fleet of iconic Volkswagen Beetle taxis to transport citizens around the bustling city of twenty million
people. No, it isn’t the same “New Beetle” sold in the US, rather the original Beetle that was last sold in the US more than three decades ago.

Now, Mexico City wants to distance itself from the cute bug, citing pollution concerns. Yes, the lovable bug is long on personality, but short on environmental friendliness and, citing published reports, is facing extinction. According to Victor Manuel Ramirez, head of the taxi division at the city transport and road ministry, the city now considers these cars to be a nuisance and wants them off of city streets, replaced by a modern fleet of fuel efficient vehicles.

The city is home to more than 100,000 taxis, often the only way that residents are able to get around the metropolis. But, the aged Beetles are anything but fuel efficient, getting just 19 miles per gallon when some of its modern competitors are averaging 34 mpg. Never mind the pollution that these cars emit — Mexico City is often enshrouded in smog, its residents plagued with respiratory illnesses.

The city’s government has plans to push taxis more than ten years old out of the city, which means that 75,000 cars would have to be replaced, the majority of those which are the original Volkswagen Beetle. City leaders are offering drivers $1500 to scrap their cars, but most drivers say that their taxis are still worth at least $2500. When sold new, the Beetle retailed for just $7500, but the car was last produced in 2003.

Not every taxi driver is thrilled with the move, citing a potential financial loss as one reason for wanting to keep their Beetles or seeking a higher contribution from the city to help them buy bigger, but more fuel efficient replacements.

Regardless of those feelings, by 2012 taxi drivers will be legally required to comply with the edict, with some expected to keep their cars for private use or sell them to third parties as the ban does not cover private owners…yet.

Beware of Flood-Damaged Cars!

September 3, 2008 by admin 1 Comment

Every month, thousands of flood-damaged cars are sold without that information known to the buyer.

Be On The Look Out For Storm-Ravaged Vehicles

In the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, tens of thousands of cars were scrapped, as they were deemed damaged beyond repair by flood waters, wind, or other storm-related insults. Some reports put that Ford Fiesta number at 250,000 vehicles, which represented cars registered to owners in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and the adjoining states.

Flood-Damaged Cars Retitled

Though most of these vehicles were hauled away and the titles changed to reflect that they had been totaled, in some cases these same cars were bought, retitled in other states, and offered for sale.

Unsuspecting buyers who were thinking that they were getting a quality used car, eventually learned that they were storm-ravaged, thanks to rusting body panels, foul odors, malfunctioning components, and a host of other ills that only surfaced after they made their purchase.

It has been several years since America was ravaged by some of these storms, but the warning about flood-damaged cars remains in place. Historic flooding in the Upper Midwest in 2008, in the South in 2010 and along the east coast in 2017 and later has yielded a bumper crop of damaged vehicles. The same post-Katrina scenario is once again rearing its ugly head: cars that were once totaled by insurers are back on the market and available for purchase.

How To Avoid The Scam

Car buyers should be alert to this scam in order to avoid being ripped off.

There are several tools at your disposal to help you avoid being conned, three of which can save you from plenty of grief:

1. Check KBB – Kelley Blue Book at www.kbb.com maintains pricing for thousands of used car models going back for well over a decade. There is one thing common about most flood-damaged cars: they are often priced below market levels. This should be a concern to you as a quality used car should retail close to what KBB says it is worth.

2. Obtain a Vehicle History Report – AutoCheck and Carfax are two of the more noteworthy companies that prepare vehicle-specific history reports. Thus, it is a good idea to buy one related to the vehicle you are considering. Here’s something to keep in mind: although these reports can be helpful, they are not perfect and they do not offer a guarantee for a vehicle’s condition.

3. See Your Mechanic – Always insist on a car inspection from your own mechanic. He’ll know what to look for, including especially troubling signs such as water damage, engine wear, transmission problems, brake and exhaust trouble, as well as electrical and engineering issues.

If It Sounds Too Good To Be True…

With any used car purchase the maxim, “if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn’t,” is the best approach when buying any vehicle. Certainly, you want to get the best price for a used car, but not at the expense of your wallet or your safety. Flood-damaged cars have a short lifespan and could put you and your family in harm’s way if an important part suddenly fails.

See Also — How to Check for Flood-Damaged Cars