Tips For Purchasing a New Car

A car is one of the largest investments you're likely to make in your lifetime, so it's important to get your money's worth. Follow the tips below to save yourself the cost of an inspection, lessen the likelihood of buyer's remorse, and protect yourself from car salesmen and mechanics hoping to make a quick buck.

Tips for Purchasing a New Car: Before Test Driving the Car

Ask for any maintenance records from the previous owner.
Oil changes should have been done at three-month or 3,000-mile intervals; tune-ups should have been done on a yearly basis. Checking these records will tell you whether the car has been cared for or abused, and when you'll need to have the car serviced again.

Ask when the timing belt was last replaced.
Belt-driven engines require the belt to be replaced every 60,000 to 80,000 miles.

Look under the hood.
Make sure the engine and the equipment around it looks clean and intact. Dark, greasy stains may indicate a fluid leak; brittle or broken rubber or plastic parts could cause problems in the car's operation. Corroded battery posts or cables may indicate an old battery.