| Many calls to a personal injury attorney's | | | | Always get your vehicle checked out by a |
| office are from used car buyers who have | | | | mechanic and a body shop. Make certain that |
| found that the vehicles they have purchased | | | | you get records of all repairs. Never go |
| were lemons. Let me tell you about one of our | | | | alone to look and drive the vehicle. It's |
| clients who bought a used vehicle from a used | | | | good to have an additional voice of reason on |
| car lot. It seemed like a great deal on a car | | | | your side, so take a friend! Make sure to run |
| that looked perfect and had low mileage. But | | | | a check at to ensure the seller has proper |
| looks can be deceiving! He later found a | | | | title. Ask for a 30-day warranty from the |
| rental receipt behind one of the seats while | | | | owner. |
| cleaning. This receipt showed that his "great | | | | |
| deal" was actually a rental vehicle. And to | | | | (They probably won't, but might if the |
| make matters worse, the odometer had been set | | | | vehicle has been up for sale for an extended |
| back 30,000 miles! Reversing a vehicle | | | | period.) Visit a dealership you can trust, |
| transaction is not for the faint of heart, | | | | when purchasing a new vehicle. State up front |
| nor is it easy. | | | | that you're just looking, and never buy the |
| | | | car that same day. Mull it over for a while. |
| There are many ways that you can protect | | | | Salespersons rarely have a "one of a kind" |
| yourself as a consumer. You are considerably | | | | vehicle. So, take this statement with a grain |
| safer purchasing a used vehicle from a | | | | of salt. There's no cooling off period for |
| reputable dealer. Your chances at getting | | | | cars; they are not appliances! Once you drive |
| good customer service will be better when you | | | | it off the lot, it belongs to you! |
| buy from an established dealer, even if it | | | | |
| costs a bit more. You increase your chance of | | | | It's important to understand the complexities |
| buying a lemon, as the size of the seller | | | | of leasing a car. Always get the salesperson |
| decreases. This means that when you purchase | | | | to explain, in detail, everything about the |
| from a private party, you have a very good | | | | vehicle and the lease. Ensure that all |
| chance of being taken. | | | | warranties are in effect if you buy a dealer |
| | | | loaner, dealer demo, or "slightly" used car, |
| You should request repair records for a used | | | | and take the same precautions as with other |
| car, and consider buying a warranty. You must | | | | used vehicles. |
| ask the dealer to put in writing, that the | | | | |
| car was not used for daily rental, was not | | | | Following your instincts is important. Never |
| involved in any kind of major accidents, and | | | | feel pressured to buy a particular car, |
| was not a salvage titled car. If the dealer | | | | especially if the deal doesn't feel right. |
| refuses, this may be a vehicle and dealer to | | | | Step back and walk away. There's always |
| avoid. A dealer should be sensitive to your | | | | another dealership, but only one of you. You |
| worries regarding a used car purchase. Make | | | | have the advantage! |
| sure that an outside mechanic looks over the | | | | |
| car before you purchase it. | | | | It is rewarding and simple to be an |
| | | | intelligent informed consumer. |
| From both a financial and safety perspective, | | | | |
| purchasing a vehicle from a private party is | | | | Drive your new car with calmness and comfort |
| the most dangerous method of buying a car. | | | | by following some simple rules. |