As some of you know, I’ve been shopping for a nice, solid used car that gets good mileage, is within my budget and isn’t laden with an abundance of miles on the odometer.  To say the search in my area has been easy would be lying.   Anybody can walk into a dealership, point to a car and say, I want that one, but since I’m working with a budget and a list of criteria in a smaller metropolitan area, my experience hasn’t been so luxurious.  Like finding the perfect man, a girl has to kiss a lot of frogs before finding her prince and it’s no different when you’re looking for the perfect car you have to visit a lot of dealerships, take a lot of test drives and talk to a lot of salesmen before you find the car that’s right for you.

If you’re planning a trip to the dealership or if you’re on the look-out for a used a car, here are some things to pack in your personal shopping kit: 

Drivers’ License

Don’t leave home without it.  Most dealerships will not let you test drive without one and they almost always ask to make a copy.

Notebook

Second to your drivers’ license, this is probably the most important thing you can take with you on your car buying travels. You’ll need it to take notes, write down information and comparison shop. When you’re researching online or browsing though the automotive section of your local newspaper, use the same notebook to jot down information that’s important to you, such as VIN, make, model, mileage, etc.  Also use the notebook to write down names of salesmen or individuals you speak with over the phone and any important information they may give you. When you use the same notebook for research both at home and at the dealership or when visiting a private owner, it’s easier to compare or refer to your information at a glance. 

Penny

You’ll want to have a penny to check the tires. This is easy just insert the penny in the groove of the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see all of his head, it’s time to replace the tire.

CD

If you’re looking to buy a vehicle that comes equipped with a CD player, it’s a good idea to take one with you and pop it in the player just to make sure it works.

Paper Towels or Cloth

You’re going to want to check the oil and transmission fluid in any car you’re seriously interested in, so having paper towels, cloth or an old rag is a handy way to do it on the spot.  Open the hood, check the oil level and give it a look. If the oil seems thick or has a milky appearance, it can be a sign of engine trouble. Check the transmission level and note the smell.  If it smells like burnt toast, it could mean a bad transmission, and like the possible engine trouble above, this is an expense you’ll definitely want to avoid.

Calculator

I can’t tell begin to tell you how much math I’ve done in my head or scribbled in my notebook over the last two weeks, but I finally got wise and bought a small leather bound notebook which came with a calculator located in the front pocket.  I used the calculator to determine fuel cost (MPG divided by fuel capacity x cost of fuel per gallon x my approximate mileage per week), but you can also calculate interest rates, approximate payments, etc.

I’m sure I’ve missed a thing or two, so can you offer more suggestions?  What do you take with you?

Tags: Advice, General // Add Comment »