How to Buy a Used Car Tim Ellis, Ph.D., P.E.,Associate Professor Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering

1940 Plymouth

78 Olds Cutlass Supreme

Steps to buying a car Do you need a car? Do you need a car? Consider the cost Consider the cost Purchase price Purchase price Insurance Insurance Gas Gas Maintenance Maintenance Repairs Repairs Parking sticker Parking sticker Parking tickets Parking tickets Walking is good exercise! Walking is good exercise!

New or Used? Advantage of buying a used car Advantage of buying a used car Less expensive purchase price (new car loses 40% of its value in first year) Less expensive purchase price (new car loses 40% of its value in first year) Less expensive to insure Less expensive to insure Option to cover vehicle with liability insurance only as opposed to comprehensive + liability Option to cover vehicle with liability insurance only as opposed to comprehensive + liability

New or Used? Disadvantage of buying a used car Disadvantage of buying a used car May not have all of the safety features of a new car May not have all of the safety features of a new car Maintenance costs will be higher than for a new car Maintenance costs will be higher than for a new car Will not have a warranty (or limited warranty) Will not have a warranty (or limited warranty) Buyer beware Buyer beware

Where to buy Dealer Dealer Will have a larger supply Will have a larger supply May have warranty May have warranty May pay higher price (dealer has to make a profit) May pay higher price (dealer has to make a profit) Won’t get a complete history of car from dealer Won’t get a complete history of car from dealer

Where to buy Private individual Private individual Will be able to ask owner about vehicle Will be able to ask owner about vehicle May bargain price more May bargain price more Less hassle than buying from a dealer Less hassle than buying from a dealer

Questions to ask Has this car been in an accident or flood? Has this car been in an accident or flood? How many miles? How many miles? Are you the original owner? If not who did you buy it from? Are you the original owner? If not who did you buy it from? Why are you selling it? Why are you selling it? What doesn’t work or needs repair? What doesn’t work or needs repair? Does the air conditioning work? Does the air conditioning work? Has the timing belt been replaced? Has the timing belt been replaced?

What to look for Check body for rust, dents, indication that its been in an accident Check body for rust, dents, indication that its been in an accident Listen for engine knocking or pinging Listen for engine knocking or pinging Take it for a test drive on highway Take it for a test drive on highway Listen for road noises Listen for road noises Any wobbles or vibrations? Any wobbles or vibrations? Does it handle well? Does it handle well? Does transmission slip? Does transmission slip? Are there oil spots where the car was parked? Are there oil spots where the car was parked?

What to pay Determine the vehicle’s “Blue Book” value Determine the vehicle’s “Blue Book” value

How to finish the deal Before you “shake hands” on a deal Before you “shake hands” on a deal May want to have a third party inspect the vehicle May want to have a third party inspect the vehicle Once you have decided to buy it and settled on a reasonable price, be sure that the vehicle has a valid and clear title (no liens) Once you have decided to buy it and settled on a reasonable price, be sure that the vehicle has a valid and clear title (no liens) After settling on the vehicle need to get insurance before you can drive it (get the VIN from the title) After settling on the vehicle need to get insurance before you can drive it (get the VIN from the title) Will need to go to the courthouse to get the vehicle registered and get plates Will need to go to the courthouse to get the vehicle registered and get plates

How to maintain Check the oil every time you fill up with gas Check the oil every time you fill up with gas Check tire pressure once a month Check tire pressure once a month Check antifreeze before winter sets in Check antifreeze before winter sets in Check belts regularly Check belts regularly Check brakes regularly Check brakes regularly Check transmission fluid regularly Check transmission fluid regularly Be consistent with type of gasoline (with ethanol or without ethanol) Be consistent with type of gasoline (with ethanol or without ethanol)