Car Buying Tips

In Praise of the $500 Car

By Steven Lang
December 6, 2007 -

“Wooden Shoe Rather Be Dutch?” Sigh. Bumper sticker humor aside, the Subaru Legacy had 140k miles on the clock and a well-maintained powertrain (records in the glovebox). The hardback book about Abraham Lincoln under the driver’s seat gave me hope that the owner was equally conservative with his driving. After a bit of tire kicking, I slowly concluded that the old girl had plenty of life left. Fortunately, the kicked-in driver’s door and smelly interior made the other dealers turn-up their nose when the Subie went across the block. For $500, the Legacy became mine… all mine. BWAHAHAHHA!!!!

In Praise of the $500 Car editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 41 comments

Depreciation Kills

By Steven Lang
November 15, 2007 -

“Is that yours?” Millions of car buyers spend billions of dollars hoping that this statement will be born of admiration rather than pity. When these words come out of a car dealer’s mouth at trade-in time, they can be especially hurtful-- even if the salesman is as honest as their spiel is long. That’s the moment when most car buyers finally discover whether or not their automotive “investment” has walked off a cliff and fallen into the financial abyss known as depreciation. Here’s how to avoid the freefall…

Depreciation Kills editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 83 comments

The Truth About Filling Your Tires with Nitrogen

By Michael Martineck
October 30, 2007 -

Jet planes, armored personnel carriers and racecars all have nitrogen-filled tires. So it’s got to be cool, right? I mean, I wish my Honda Odyssey minivan was more like an F-22 in some way. Or in any way. Anyway, is it worth an average five bucks a tire to stuff your rubber with the seventh element? For the majority of American drivers– those who do not routinely drive through flaming pools of fuel, off-road on dunes hotter than Scarlett Johansson’s hips or hit 200mph on the straight-aways– the answer is a simple “no.” Yet thousands of vendors are setting up nitrogen pumps and enticing people to pop open their stems. What’s the point?

The Truth About Filling Your Tires with Nitrogen editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 66 comments

Get Over it: Car Dealer Rip-Offs Abound

By Frank Williams
July 12, 2007 -

Scared of car dealer scams? Detroit News writer John McCormick says chill. In an editorial entitled "Afraid of shopping for a car? Get over it;" McCormick chronicled his recent car buying experience. The automotive scribe claims it's no biggie; car dealers are populated by "courteous, knowledgeable and professional" sales staff. While we're all glad Mr. McCormick's had such a wonderful experience securing a new whip, the chances of anyone else emerging with similar satisfaction makes Powerball look like a safe bet.

Get Over it: Car Dealer Rip-Offs Abound editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 53 comments

How to Buy a Used Car Part 4: Negotiating

By Steven Lang
July 1, 2007 -

When it comes to buying a used car there are two basic negotiating mindsets. You can either be fair and decent or unfair and obnoxious. You need only visit a used car lot to know that unfair and obnoxious works. But it is also true that many sellers respond extremely well to honesty and decency. Win - win is no sin. So, karma lovers, here's some tips for negotiating the purchase of a used car by traveling down the righteous route.

How to Buy a Used Car Part 4: Negotiating editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 8 comments

The Truth About European Delivery Programs

By Alex Dykes
June 28, 2007 -

In 1959, William Lederer and Eugene Burdick wrote The Ugly American. The novel was celebrated by self-loathing intellectuals, who agreed with disdainful Europeans that Americans are far too stupid and arrogant to play any "useful" role in world politics. Yeah, well, screw that. If you're a latter day pistonhead willing to represent in the Eurozone, I suggest you do your bit to grace the Olde Worlde with American wit, intelligence, insight and humility. Buy your next ferrin' car via a European delivery program.

The Truth About European Delivery Programs editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 44 comments

How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 3: Due Diligence (The Inspection)

By Steven Lang
June 26, 2007 -

You can rigorously apply the tests described by previous installments of this series without encountering a single setback. However when it comes to buying a used car, it pays to assume one simple salient fact: you don’t know the complete truth. At least not yet. When it comes to pursuing the deeper truths about a used car, an experienced mechanic will inevitably become your greatest ally and advocate. For most consumers, finding a knowledgeable mechanic will be the most important step in the used car buying process.

How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 3: Due Diligence (The Inspection) editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 31 comments

How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 2: The Test Drive

By Steven Lang
June 21, 2007 -

Schedule the test drive for a time when there’s no rush. If it’s bad weather, reschedule. Take a little notebook, write a quick check list based on this article, and make notes. When you approach the car's owner, be friendly, polite and courteous. Do NOT try to “beat them down” to get a better deal. While you have every right to ask direct questions, you have no more right to insult their car than one of their children.

How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 2: The Test Drive editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 40 comments

How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 1: First Contact

By Steven Lang
June 19, 2007 -

Used cars give automobile buyers the best possible bang for the buck-- except when they don’t. As a professional dealer, I could tell you stories of used car calamities that would make public transportation seem like the only sensible option. Tales of stitched together death traps that looked as new as the day both cars were born. Cars with supposedly clean registration papers that turned out to be hotter than Peachtree Street in mid-August. Instead, I’m going to tell you how to buy a used car without getting your proverbial clock cleaned.

How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 1: First Contact editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 49 comments

Autodealerphobia

By Matthew Danda
June 12, 2007 -

I have a conflict-avoidant personality. I never lose my temper and I hardly ever engage in verbal jousting (never mind confrontational conversation). That’s why I wander around new car lots on Sundays. The dealership is closed, locked and silent; I can browse in pleasant solitude. Otherwise, conflict is inevitable. I can count on my fingers the number of times in my life that I got so angry my legs started shaking. Half of those instances occurred in car dealerships and that ain’t right.

Autodealerphobia editorial continued »

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 71 comments