(Q)
Should buyers take a vehicle to a mechanic before making a purchase?
(A)
A mechanic should confirm what buyers have concluded after they have inspected
and test-driven a vehicle. Buyers should request that the vehicle be raised on
a lift for the mechanic's inspection and that the mechanic test-drives the vehicle.
(Q)
Of course buyers what to save money, but what protection do they have when purchasing
a two- to three-year-old vehicle?
(A) Most vehicles have manufacturers'
bumper-to-bumper warranties of three years, 36,000 miles or four years, 50,000 miles;
in addition to five years, 60,000 miles on the drive train (i.e., engine and transmission).
The warranties are transferable to buyers who purchase the vehicles used. The
warranties begin on the date that vehicles are first purchased from new car dealers.
Thus, it is important to determine the date when a vehicle was initially purchased.
Buyers best
interests are also served when they have performed research to identify vehicles
that have favorable reliability ratings.
(Q)
What is a long term benefit of saving one-third when buying vehicles?
(A) The average new vehicle costs about $15,000 to $18,000. Most two-
to three-year-old vehicles will easily provide five or more years of trouble free
driving. If buyers invest the savings (i.e., $5,000 to $6,000) and they are able
to add $800 per year toward transportation, after a five-year period, they will
have the money needed to purchase another two- to three- year-old vehicle without straining
their budget.
About the Author: Kyle
Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used Automobile,
Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money. 1 800 839-8640 or www.drivethebestbook.com.
The web site accepts all transportation questions.(...BACK) |
