Not CliffsNotes Version: Used Car Tutorial, Research and Reviews 1993 to 2023
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All the cars. One Search.
Auto Tempest shows millions of listings from dealers and private sellers in North America - all the results in single hyper-search
Learn More Don't Get Screwed Get Smart!
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Buying A Used Car From A Dealer - Tips You Should KNOW
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See First: Don't Get Screwed - Used Car Expert Offers Valuable Buying Tips For Buyers
If you don't kick the tires you will get kicked in the ass...
3 most important things to check out before buying a used vehicle?
- Check the battery to see how old it is. If a car starts easily, and the battery is over 5 years old, it's a good indication that the engine will be trouble-free.
- Test drive the car on some of the rougher roads in your area. Listen carefully for unusual noises that may indicate suspension issues.
- Don't buy a car that has an engine light that stays on after starting.
- You can also check under the hood for odors like antifreeze, oil or fuel, or the engine compartment is messy, modified, or missing parts.
- The engine should run smoothly and quietly. Don't buy if there is any discoloration of the coolant, residue, exhaust odor or bubbling in the translucent expansion tank.(caution- some tanks have pressure rated caps, so you should never remove the cap on those.)
- Pull the dipstick. The oil should be amber or brown in color. If it's black and has exhaust smell(except diesel) or looks like chocolate milkshake don't buy.
- Drive the car at least 1/2 hour at highway speed with AC on full. Try the heater, do the windows fog up? If the temperature gauge moves towards orange or red, get off the freeway and hand the keys back, tell owner, “ Not interested
Finance Tips:
USED CAR BUYERS TOOLS - Don't Leave Home Without Them
- WHEN THEY WERE NEW EXPERT REVIEWS 1993-2021
- Click For Every New Vehicle At Dealers In North America
- Compare Up To 4 Used Cars (2018-1997)Side By Side: 150 Categories Including: Head Room, Horsepower, Safety Equipment, All Specs, Dimensions, Crash Test Results, When New Prices, Options
- Services Bulletins For EVERY 1962-2022 Car and Truck Sold In The USA
- NHTSA RECALLS 1949-2022 All Brands and Vehicle Types
- Buyers Guides By Single Brand
- Crash Ratings and Service Bulletins 1990-2022 Model Year
- Find Your Perfect Used Car Match - 1997-2018
- Used Car Test Drive Tool
- Older Drivers Used Car Safety Features
- "Dealer Direct" Free-To-Your-Dealer Car Buyers Pay "No-Tout-Fee"
SEE ALSO: Used Vehicle News Archive 1995-2021
TRADE IN UPDATE
Editor's Note: In today's auto marketplace your trade-in is the most valuable piece in the new car purchase transaction, so don't let anyone steal it from you. Trade-ins are where the real profit in new car sales comes from.
I'm sure you noticed that there are more and more TV commercials for national used car dealers like CarMax, Carvana, Vroom, AutoNation, Car Guru and others, all promise you that they will quickly buy your car for cash and some promise to pick it up the same day no matter where you live.
Why? Because there is meaningful profit in trade-ins, if there wasn't they wouldn't be working so hard and spending so much to convince you to sell your used car to them.
Today when buying a new car the energetic new car buyer has real leverage to lower their new car cost, by getting more for their trade.
Before you accept what your new car dealer will pay you for your trade research it's actual value by spending the time to get real buy offers from the aforementioned used car dealers...so when you buy you will actually know...be strong and have fun!
SEE ALSO: Don't Be A Yutz - Buy Direct And Save
Used Car Buyer Research Tools
- Compare Up To 4 Used Cars (2018-1997)Side By Side: 150 Categories Including: Head Room, Horsepower, Safety Equipment, All Specs, Dimensions, Crash Test Results, When New Prices, Options
- Services Bulletins For EVERY 1962-2021 Car and Truck Sold In The USA
- NHTSA RECALLS 1949-2020 All Brands and Vehicle Types
- Buyers Guides By Single Brand
- Crash Ratings and Service Bulletins 1990-2020 Model Year
- Find Your Perfect Used Car Match - 1997-2018
- Used Car Test Drive Tool
- Older Drivers Used Car Safety Features
- "Dealer Direct" Free-To-Your-Dealer Car Buyers Pay "No-Tout-Fee"
Co-publisher's Note - August 26, 2014 Try the new and improved Super Search, no more tabs, just one big list. find results from multiple sources in a single list. You can also open just craigslist or AutoTrader in new windows using the buttons located just above the used car return list...have fun and be careful.
Co-publisher's Note - January 6, 2014; Since we first added this wonderful tool to our USEDCARBUYERSGUIDE buyer's tool set, hundreds of thousands of car buyers have used it to save time and get right to the vehicle they are looking for... we are happy you like it, keep on TACH'n
USEDCARBUYERSGUIDE - Used Car Research: Compare New and Used Car Specs: 1997-Present Model Years
Auto Central; For over 16 years we have been looking for a used car search tool that would allow our audience to skip the normal jerk-around we all find in online car and truck search, and get right to the relevant search results, without registering or revealing your personal data.
The Auto Channel has always delivered free content, because we believe that free is better, that's why the used car search interface below will let you easily super search for your next used vehicle for free, and with one click search every Craigslist city site, quickly, easily and accurately.
Should you not find what you are looking for on Craigslist you can also search on Ebay, and every other major used car inventory site.
We hope you find this tool to be another reason to continue to visit The Auto Channel for all of your automotive research, please let me know what you think of it and any improvements you believe it needs. msnide@theautochannel.com
Join the thousands of TACH'ers everyday who are having Fun - Saving Time and Saving Money by using The Auto Channel Used Car Inventory Super Search when looking for their next vehicle.
USED CAR BUYERS GUIDE :Specs, Safety, Comparisons, Prices (New), Images, Video 1997-Present Models
Compare Used Cars 1997-2019 Specs, Capacities, Dimensions, Prices, Options
When They Were New Reviews 1993-2019
Join the millions of The Auto Channel Used Car Shoppers who Super Search!
1993–2024 Expert Car Reviews and Relevant Manufacturer’s News- 2023–1994 Acura Reviews
- 2020–2016 Alfa Romeo Reviews
- 2020–2005 Aston Martin Reviews
- 2022–1996 Audi Reviews
- 2016–2004 Bentley Reviews
- 2023–1994 BMW Reviews
- 2019–1993 Buick Reviews
- 2021–1994 Cadillac Reviews
- 2023–1993 Chevrolet Reviews
- 2021–1995 Chrysler Reviews
- 2022–1995 Dodge Reviews
- 2016–1998 Ferrari Reviews
- 2017–2012 Fiat Reviews
- 2013 Fisker Reviews
- 2023–1994 Ford Reviews
- 2023–2017 Genesis Reviews
- 2023–1995 GMC Reviews
- 2023–1994 Honda Reviews
- 2009–1996 Hummer Reviews
- 2023–1994 Hyundai Reviews
- 2022–1994 Infiniti Reviews
- 2007–1993 Isuzu Reviews
- 2022–1994 Jaguar Reviews
- 2022–1996 Jeep Reviews
- 2023–1998 Kia Reviews
- 2024–2007 Lamborghini Reviews
- 2021–1995 Land Rover Reviews
- 2023–1994 Lexus Reviews
- 2021–1994 Lincoln Reviews
- 2005–1997 Lotus Reviews
- 2019–2006 Maserati Reviews
- 2004 Maybach Reviews
- 2024–1993 Mazda Reviews
- 2017 McLaren Reviews
- 2024–1994 Mercedes-Benz Reviews
- 2010–1995 Mercury Reviews
- 2022–2002 Mini Reviews
- 2022–1993 Mitsubishi Reviews
- 2022–1993 Nissan Reviews
- 1999 Oldsmobile Reviews
- 1997–1996 Plymouth Reviews
- 2009–1994 Pontiac Reviews
- 2019–1994 Porsche Reviews
- 2021–2012 Ram Reviews
- 2021–2006 Rolls-Royce Reviews
- 2011–1994 Saab Reviews
- 2009–1994 Saturn Reviews
- 2016–2004 Scion Reviews
- 2016–2005 smart Reviews
- 2023–1994 Subaru Reviews
- 2012–1994 Suzuki Reviews
- 2016–2007 Tesla Reviews
- 2023–1994 Toyota Reviews
- 2023–1994 Volkswagen Reviews
- 2023–1994 Volvo Reviews
2024–1993 Expert Automotive Reviews Indexed By Year and Model