One of the biggest costs associated with a pre-owned car is not the payment, the insurance and the gasoline. It's the upkeep. To stay in tip-top condition, every car needs ongoing maintenance and repairs as it goes through its life. Any mechanic can tell you that deferred or ignored maintenance will be much more expensive later on, so knowing that all the proper service has been performed on your vehicle is critical to making a purchasing decision. Read More »

One of the biggest advantages of certified used cars isn't usually advertised by dealerships. It's how much easier the buying process can be. A good certified used-car program is like having someone help you do the shopping. It weeds out all the bad or ordinary cars and lets you pick from the very best, the cream of the crop. Read More »

Always check with your local dealer for the most up-to-date, complete information on certified used car programs. Brand Age/Mileage Limits Inspection Vehicle History Report Return Policy Warranty Acura 6 years/80,000 miles 150 points CARFAX 3 days 12-month/12,000-mile certified limited warranty and 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty Audi 5 years/60,000 miles 300+ points CARFAX N/A 6-year/100,000-mile limited warranty from the date the ... Read More »

Through the years, many automakers have used turbocharging to obtain big V8 performance from economical, small four and six cylinder engines. Several automakers, most notably Saab and Volvo, still use turbocharged engines extensively. In the 1970s and 1980s, many American manufacturers offered turbocharged engines. Several of these such as the Buick Riviera convertible and Grand National, Ford Mustang SVO, and Chrysler TC by Maserati are now quite collectible today. Read More »

Over the years I have bought many used cars and trucks from private owners. Maybe its just luck, but I like to think it is because of my "intelligence gathering" that only once did I buy a lemon. Read More »

The most expensive new car in the world, a Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, looks wicked and futuristic, costs $555,000 and has doors on each side that open skyward, giving the vehicle the look of a winged creature about to take flight. However, for $545,000 less, you can get that new car smell in America's least expensive new car, the Chevrolet Aveo. Read More »

The AAA has introduced its CarFit program to give older drivers a quick, comprehensive check on how well they and their vehicles work together. CarFit was developed with the help of the AARP, American Society on Aging, and American Occupational Therapy Association. Read More »

It is easy to adjust your mirrors so that you can see all around you. Make the following adjustments; Read More »

If you have purchased a used vehicle in the past, you may have first taken it to an automotive mechanic to have it checked out. That's a great idea that can save you from "buyer's remorse," but there's actually one other step that you may want to consider. Read More »

Over the years I have bought many used cars and trucks, both from private owners. Maybe its just luck, but I like to think it is because of my “intelligence gathering” ability that only on a single occasion did I buy a lemon. Over the years, I have developed some questions to ask sellers and things to look for when ... Read More »