10 Things to Know Before Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car bears a higher risk of buying a lemon or rebuilt car. But as with any purchase, you have to do your homework when you're buying used. To make sure you get real value for your money and don't drive off with a lemon, this used car buying guide will help you decide before you buy.

Used Cars: To Buy or Not to Buy

https://www.cardekho.com/advisory-stories/buying-and-selling/used-cars-to-buy-or-not-to-buy.htm

Buying a car can be a very emotional decision, but buying a used car should not be one! Especially for first time buyers, this is one decision that you need to take cautiously and with proper guidance.

Buying a used car: Check the maintenance costs before you buy

http://www.clark.com/before-you-buy-a-used-car-check-maintenance-costs

There are a lot of things you need to do before buying a used car, such as choosing the right vehicle, securing financing, getting a mechanical inspection, negotiating a price and taking a long, thorough test drive. While we don't want to add to the stress of car buying, we think there's also one more thing you should put on your checklist before buying a used car: Finding out what it costs to maintain it. Here's why.

How to Avoid One of the Shadiest Used Car Buying Scams There Is

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a30303/beware-the-spot-delivery/

Many people fall for the common ripoff scam called the "spot delivery" or "yo-yo" sale ripoff scam. Understand how it works to avoid being a victim of this scam.

Why You Should Never Ever Buy a Used Car That's Sold "As Is"

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/news/a30454/used-car-as-is-never-buy/

If you buy a used car that's sold "as is," you're totally out of luck if something catastrophic happens when you take possession. Engine blows up as you drive away from the seller? Sorry, it's your problem now. Learn all about the nuanced details on this issue.

How to Get the Best Deal Buying a Used Car Online

https://kupatana.com/article/38/how-to-get-the-best-deal-buying-a-used-car-online

Finding the right vehicle online can be a difficult endeavor, especially if you’re on a tight budget. You may find many sellers are asking for a higher price than you expected or can afford. However, it's still possible to get a great deal on a used car. You just need to know what to look for, and should be willing to negotiate if you find a model that is slightly over your budget.

What is a Good Deal when Buying a Used Car? (How to Buy a Used Car)

Learn how to call the owner of a used car, figure out what the car is worth, run a free VIN number check, and many other tips and tricks. If you see a used car for sale on the side of the road and want to know if it is worth going for a test drive, go through all of the things you want to do before you go on the test drive.

Buying A Used Car? John Oliver Has The Ugly Truth About Auto Loans

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/john-oliver-used-car-loan_us_57b169dae4b007c36e4f28af

John Oliver, host of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight,” found disturbing similarities between the easy loans dished out for used cars and the mortgage crisis that devastated the economy in 2008. See Oliver’s full explanation of this crisis-in-the-making, which includes a look at what a used-car dealer’s commercial might look like if a little honesty was thrown in.

Used Cars to Avoid Buying

http://www.consumerreports.org/used-car-buying/used-cars-to-avoid-buying/

Based on multiple years of data, this article lists alphabetically the 2006-15 used car models which have a record of below-average overall reliability. View the car models by brand and steer clear of these clunker used cars.

How Used Car Reports Help Your Buying Decision

http://sovmestimo.org/how-used-car-reports-help-your-buying-decision/

When you’re considering buying a used car, everyone wants to know they made the right choice. It can be scary to buy a vehicle that someone else has owned. The wonderful news is you don’t have to guess or hope. there are services that offer comprehensive reports about a vehicle's history.

How to Check a Used Car Before Buying (Checking the Engine)

Learn how to inspect the engine of a used car so you don't get stuck with a bad car. This video shows you how to check for head gasket leaks, check the fluids, see if the car was in a front end collision, and much more!

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Different Car Titles Explained

A vehicle title is a document that proves legal ownership of a vehicle such as a car or truck. A vehicle cannot be registered, issued license plates or driven without a title. The vehicle's condition will dictate what type of title is issued. Each state has various rules regarding vehicle titles. Here's a guide to different car titles:

Clear Title

A clean title or clear title means that there are no major physical issues with the car and that that there is not a financial lien against the car being sold. Having a clear car title means there are no outstanding payments to be made on the car, and ownership is therefore clear and established. A brand new vehicle has a clean title and most pre-owned vehicles that can be driven safely and are insurable. A clear title on a car is also known as a ‘pink slip’. To check the history of your vehicle please run a VinAudit vehicle check.

Theft Title

This is a variation of a clean title for a vehicle which was stolen but recovered. Usually these types of titles will have some type of "theft" brand on the title. A car the has been salvaged from theft only means that enough parts were stolen off the car to be worth more than the car itself.

Salvage Title

If a car title brands the vehicle as salvaged, then it means that the car has been declared as a total loss by an insurance company or other authorities due to some accident, flood, fire, vandalism or other such problems. The criteria for determining when a salvage title is issued differ considerably by each state, province or territory. To get a salvage vehicle legal to drive, it must be certified as "Rebuilt Salvage" by a state authority.

Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title

Once a vehicle is fixed after earning a salvage title, it's given a rebuilt title. While this may still be a good car to buy, it is not a clean title. Depending on the work done, and the price being asked, a rebuilt car is often in better shape than a car of the same year that has not had work done.

Dismantled Title

When a Dismantled title is issued, the vehicle may be used only for parts or scrap metal.

Junk Title

A 'non-repairable' title means that the car is junk. After a Junk title is issued, the vehicle may be used only for parts or scrap metal. It cannot be re-titled or returned to the road using the existing vehicle identification number.

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Most Unsafe Driving Behaviors

1 - Speeding

Drivers are more likely to be seriously injured or killed at higher speeds, and speeding increases the risk of being in a crash because there is less time and distance available to respond.

2 - Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving occurs when "an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property. It can refer to any display of aggression by a driver, tailgating, flashing headlights, speeding or weaving through traffic are just some forms of aggressive driving. Extreme acts of physical assault that result from disagreements between drivers are a form of aggression commonly called "Road Rage."

3 - Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. These activities include things like texting or talking on a cell phone, eating, watching a video, or talking to other passengers of the car. Drivers who take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds can double their risk of being in a crash.

4 - Drowsy Driving

Falling asleep at the wheel is clearly dangerous, but being sleepy affects your ability to drive safely even if you don't fall asleep. Driving while extremely tired (so tired you have a hard time keeping your eyes open) affects a driver's ability to make rapid decisions and they may have slower reaction times. Not only are they putting themselves in danger, but they are a risk to everyone else on the road.

5 - Tailgating

Tailgating is when a driver follows the car in front too closely. Doing so decreases the amount of time that a driver has to react. When you cannot avoid hitting another automobile, tailgating can cause a car accident. If you are being tailgated by a car, the first thing that you should do is to put your turn signal on, switch lanes, and get the out of the way as fast as reasonably possible.

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Tips for Buying at Car Auctions

Cars at auctions are usually very cheap compared to cars sold at conventional car dealerships and distributors. You can save hundreds by buying your next car at an auction. If buying a car at auction is a new experience for you, these tips can help you along the way.

Do your homework

Make sure you are fully informed about what the kind of car you want to buy is and what the car will be worth.

Arrive early

The earlier, the better. This will give you plenty of time to view the inventory and inspect the car or cars you’re planning to bid on.

Check the car

Take the opportunity to inspect the vehicle's body work from every angle. Make sure the car you're bidding on is well-maintained, and check the service history carefully. Get a vehicle history report. VinAudit provides a government-sourced VIN lookup service for less cost than Carfax.

Check the VIN

Write down the VIN from the base of the windshield for any car you're considering. Then check other places where the VIN might appear, such as door and trunk lid stickers. If the numbers don't match, the car may have been in a major accident and rebuilt. Look for more promising alternatives.

Set a budget

Don't get caught up in the frenzy of a bidding war and spend too much for a car. Set yourself a maximum budget and do not go over it. There will always be another car. Remember, you will still have to buy insurance and tax the vehicle and setting aside some money for service costs is always good practice, too.

Listen carefully to the auctioneer

The details of the vehicle will be read before starting the bidding. Be aware of its selling description. Auctioneers will often describe the cars, or 'lots', using different terms, and these are the key phrases to watch out for.

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Common Car Problems and Solutions

When something goes wrong in our car,most of us do not know how to fix them. Let’s take a look at some of the common car problems we face and how to deal with them.

What To Do If You Have A Flat Tire

http://www.aa1car.com/library/tire_flat.htm

A flat tire is something nobody wants because a flat tire will leave you stranded along side the road. When a tire loses all its air, is loses its buoyancy and the ability to support weight. So a puncture or leak that allows the tire to lose air will cause the tire to collapse and go flat.

Check Engine Light - What does it mean?

http://motorist.org/articles/check-engine-light

If the check engine light comes on: Look for a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Check your dashboard gauges and lights for indications of low oil pressure or overheating. These conditions mean you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can find a safe place to do so.

What to Do If Your Car Overheats: 5 Must-Know Steps

http://blog.esurance.com/what-to-do-if-your-car-overheats/

This article covers the 5 steps of what to do when your engine overheats, and provide a couple tips on how to handle an overheating engine in traffic.

Car Won't Start: Here's What to Do

http://www.familyhandyman.com/automotive/car-won-t-start/view-all

If you turn the car key and your car won’t start, don’t give up. Before you call for a tow, try these seven simple tricks to get your car started again.

Fixing Squeaky Brakes

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf291194.tip.html

If your brakes are squeaky it could a minor issue or it could be a sign of a necessary repair. Get to the bottom of the problem sooner than later or it could become dangerous. This is a guide about fixing squeaky brakes.

How do you fix a coolant leak in your car?

https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-fix-a-coolant-leak-in-your-car

Coolant leaks can occur anywhere in the actual cooling system. Nine from ten times, coolant leaks are readily available because the coolant is visible dripping, spraying, seeping or bubbling on the leaky component. The first symptom of trouble is often engine overheating.

Dealing With A Dead Car Battery

http://www.askmen.com/cars/car_tips_100/105_car_tip.html

Why do car batteries die? There are a number of reasons why your car's batteries may weaken and fail over time. How do you deal with a dead or weak battery in your car?

Car Air Conditioning Troubleshooting

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/car-air-conditioning-troubleshooting

Car air conditioning is wonderful during a hot summer. But, when it isn't working properly, a sunny, summer drive to the store can be brutal. Depending on what’s causing your air conditioning’s problem, you might notice different signs like a lack of refrigerant or a funky smell. Use this guide to target the symptoms so that you can diagnose the issue.

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What is the Number One Car Brand in America?

Brand reputation is an important factor when buying a new car. Here are the ten best car brands in the American market. Can you guess which is the number one car brand in the U.S.?

#10 Buick

Buick is an American automobile division of the American manufacturer General Motors. Buick is one of the model lines GM decided to keep when it dropped Pontiac and Saturn.

#9 Cadillac

Like Lincoln, Cadillac sales have failed to keep up with the leading German imports. General Motors, which is the largest U.S. auto maker, manufacturers Cadillac.

#8 Hyundai

Hyundai is one of the two large Korean brands sold in the United States, the other being Kia.

#7 Toyota

Toyota is the world's market leader in sales of hybrid electric vehicles, and one of the largest companies to encourage the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles across the globe. Year after year, Toyota is the leading Japanese car company in the United States.

#6 BMW

BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke. The German luxury automaker is based in Munich, Germany and owns both the Mini and Rolls-Royce brands. BMW is the world’s largest luxury brand based on unit sales.

#5 Subaru

Subaru is the automotive division of Japanese conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries. It offers family-friendly all-wheel drive SUV and cars with maximum safety. Subaru was long considered an also-ran among Japanese car companies. That perception has changed somewhat as sales increased in recent years.

#4 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz combines luxury with performance across the full line of luxury cars, sedans, SUVs, coupes, roadsters, convertibles & more. Mercedes-Benz has perennially been the leading premium car in the U.S. market, often changing places with BMW for the honor.

#3 Lincoln

The Lincoln Motor Company is a division of the U.S.-based Ford Motor Company that sells luxury vehicles under the Lincoln brand. One of Ford's oldest brands, Lincoln has struggled in the United States to match sales of German leaders in luxury brands, BMW and Mercedes.

#2 Acura

Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. Acura holds the distinction of being the first Japanese automotive luxury brand. Honda launched Acura because it did not have a premium car brand in the United States.

#1 Lexus

Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota. Lexus was created by Toyota to compete with BMW, Mercedes, Lincoln, and Cadillac in the United States.

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How To Save On Car Insurance for New Drivers

Are you looking for a way to bring down the costs of your car insurance? Car insurance is a must, but you don't want to spend a penny more than you need to. Here's what you need to know to save as much money as possible on your car insurance.

First time buying car insurance? Make sure to shop around.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2016/0608/First-time-buying-car-insurance-Make-sure-to-shop-around

Get car insurance quotes from several insurance companies and compare prices.

Have low mileage? You could save big on car insurance

http://www.insurancequotes.com/auto/mileage-car-insurance-discount-51313

You can lower car insurance quote by driving less. A low mileage insurance policy can significantly reduce your premiums and make driving more affordable.

Taking This Online Driving Course Could Save You Up to 10% on Auto Insurance or Take Points off Your Record

http://lifehacker.com/5849050/take-an-online-driving-course-to-save-up-to-10-on-auto-insurance-or-reduce-points-from-your-record

Safe driving is something many auto insurers reward you for with lower insurance rates, but not everyone has the time or inclination to go to in-person driving classes. Online courses are inexpensive, however, and easy to do at your own pace.

5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Car Insurance Online

http://compareit.ng/5-reasons-why-you-should-buy-car-insurance-online/

Buying online is cheaper so you could save a lot of money.

6 Car Insurance Discounts You Should Ask About

http://blog.credit.com/2016/04/the-truth-about-car-insurance-discounts-141717/

Insurance is the costliest car-related expense for drivers after the vehicle itself, so it’s no surprise that consumers seek discounts to reduce their car insurance rates.

10 Cars That Are Cheap To Insure AND Fun To Drive

https://www.thezebra.com/insurance-news/3129/cars-cheap-to-insure-fun-to-drive/

When shopping for cars, some people look for the best safety features and latest tech, some want excellent gas mileage, while others focus on how many kids a vehicle can handle. But people who truly love driving want to know how much enjoyment they’ll get from a car: how much fun will it be to drive?

Black box insurance: how young drivers can reduce their car insurance premium

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-advice/152899/black-box-insurance-how-young-drivers-can-reduce-their-car-insurance-premium

If you are struggling with high car insurance costs; black box insurance could be the answer. This is also known as telematics insurance or pay-as-you-drive insurance.

Save thousands by adding drivers to your car insurance

http://www.ratecity.com.au/car-insurance/news/save-thousands-by-adding-drivers-to-your-car-insurance

Adding an experienced and older named driver to the policy is another effective way to bring down the cost. This way the insurer is reassured that the young person will not be the only one driving the car, which reduces the chances of an accident occurring.

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