If you need to buy a replacement car for commuting but you do not have the budget to purchase a new vehicle, then a pre-owned car, from a location like Northlake Auto, may be just what you are looking for. Pre-owned vehicles fill in the gap between brand new cars and those that have too many miles to be a practical purchase. However, just as purchasing any item that has been previously owned by someone else, you need to be careful when you purchase a pre-owned vehicle. Read More»
You’ve identified a used car you want to buy. You’re doing your due diligence and researching its vehicle identification number (VIN). At first, everything looks great: It was never used as a rental car, it only had one previous owner, and it’s never needed major repairs. Then you see something that gives you a sinking feeling. There’s an open recall on your otherwise perfect used car.
You don’t need to pay for a full VIN report to find out if a car has any open recalls on it. Read More»
Look For Misaligned Panels
Walk around the car and check the doors and panels and check to see if the seams are all lined up evenly. If they are not, it is a sign that the panels have been replaced. This is normally due to a collision. If the car was in a collision, it’s important to check the frame and suspension. It could also be a case of a panel rusting out and being replaced, but in order to be safe, you should have the undercarriage checked out by a mechanic to see if there is any damage to the frame or suspension. Read More»
When purchasing a used vehicle, you have the choice of buying a basic used car or a certified pre-owned car. While both of these types of cars have usually had previous owners, there are some differences between the two. Basic used cars that are purchased from a used car dealer may be sold “as is” with no guarantees of reliability. Used vehicles that have been certified have extra perks that may make them a more attractive purchase. Read More»
Buying a used car poses a set of problems that are entirely different from those encountered when buying a new car. But that doesn’t mean your search is inevitably hopeless. There are lots of deals to be had, and you can recognize one more easily by keeping the following three tips in mind.
#1: Time of day matters when buying.
This might seem like strange advice to someone buying a used car, but the time of day at which you inspect a vehicle makes a huge difference. Read More»
