About.com re-opens Used Cars site
Friday May 9, 2008
About.com has just re-opened our Used Cars site, headed up by fellow journalist Keith Griffin. Although new cars are my stock-in-trade, I'm a big believer in buying used -- it's a great way to get good value for your money. Keith's site has lots of good information on buying used, including information on spotting good deals, how certified pre-owned programs work, and how to inspect and test drive a used car. Check out Keith's site at http://usedcars.about.com.
Quick quiz: Can anyone name the used car in the photo? Hint: It's a rather special version of a common car. Click the "comments" link below to post your answer.-- Aaron Gold
svt contour
Based on the European Ford Mondeo this model was called the Ford Contour SVT in the US. It’s still thought of as a poor man’s Beamer.
I never though I would hear anyone mention Ford and BMW in the same breath. The world is coming to an end.
My #1 fear when buying a used car is whether it has been in a flood. Even if you’re in an area where there’s been no floods, it could’ve been shipped before the seller bought it. USE YOUR NOSE! Put the car in the sun for an hour or more. Open the trunk and lift the carpeting. Sell moldy? Do you see a layer of fine rust on the metal of the trunk floor? Go the rear seat and do the same with the floor carpeting. If you can’t lift the carpet, stick your nose right down there an inch or two from the floor. Is the seller getting nervous? Trying to distract you or show you something else? If yo smell mold in the car, move on. Also, if the engine compartment has been steam cleaned, then the electrical contacts have been exposed to pressurize water vapor…not a good thing.
First, let me thanks Aaron for the nice mention. Hawaiian Don don’t automatically reject a car for a moldy smell. What you mention in the trunk could be caused by bad seals. Same could be said of the passenger compartment. However, you’re right to go running for the hills if the trunk and the passenger compartment smell moldy.
I would love to see About.com used car reviews. As far as I know Canadiandriver.com is the only site that does this and it’s limited.
Yes, used car review site will be a welcome addition to my yahoo bookmarks.
Ford Contour SVT. D’oy!
I would love to get a newer used car, but don’t want to get something made cheaper and flimsier. My 1983 Chevy Caprice Classic gets 18 to 20 mph but parts are getting harder to get (to fix the driver’s window will cost over $150 for the motor to raise and lower, and the “seals” that go on either side of window glass). I loved the car when I could do the repairs myself, but can’t anymore with my arthritis. It is still a great car for long trips (drove it from Texas to Washington).
How about salvage cars from flooded areas that look and drive great? how do you know if they are lemons?
In response to Mike O.
I would never buy a flood damaged salvage vehicle. The reason is they will quite likely end up with electrical damage that cannot be easily repaired. This type of damage is not only costly to repair (if it even can be repaired) but it can also be dangerous.
A salvage car on the other hand can be a good deal if you know what to look for. I myself drive a salvage title that’s been repaired from body damage and it was like new when I bought it (it’s 10 years old now but still runs great!)