Tips On How To Buy A Used Car

Buying a used car is a mine field. There are so many things to look out for, it is hard to know where to begin being wary. Here are some things to look out for.

1. Decide on the right car for you. This may mean not getting what you want, but more what you require. Research the Consumers Reports Buying Guide or their online used car buying kit; also check out their free guide to used car buying. Remember that highly rated cars command premium prices. A lower rated car can be a gold mine if you can put up with a design flaw or two.

2. Use an online calculator to figure out payments. Don't dwell on price just yet; consider how long you will keep the car, what an affordable payment is for your budget and how much you can put down. Consider a brand new car, particularly if it has subvented financing (a manufacturer's reduced financing rate). And strongly consider, if possible, buying outright. The absence of monthly payments can have a wonderful effect on your finances.

3. Ask a lot of questions. Get as much history as possible of the vehicle. Try to get the previous owners name and call them. Run your own CarFax; dealers have been known to "lose" the last sheet.

4. Test Drive the car. Always. Try the car on different roads, and drive for at least 15 minutes. Remember you will be driving this car for a while. See if it pulls to one side or the other. It's alignment (or bad tires) it if pulls all the time; it's a brake problem if it pulls when stopping. Check for brake shudder when stopping; (that's front rotors and probably pads). It should not wander; (tires or steering components). If you have time, sit in the car for an hour...seats often feel comfortable until you've sat in them a while.

5. Get a professional check. Get the car checked professionally. If the dealer won't let you have it checked by your own mechanic, run, don't walk from that store. Pay the mechanic to check it. He should put it up in the air and check for frame/underbody damage.

6. Negotiate. Always have an idea of what you want to pay for the vehicle before you start. Go in lower, and try to compromise at the point that is good for you. Remember a "win win" situation is always required for a sale to occur. Never negotiate if you are not ready to say yes there and then. It will lose you power/credibility over the dealer, when you are ready to buy.

7. Always get all the paper work. V5, MOT, and service history. Insist on 2 sets of keys minimum.

8. Get a vehicle report. You don't want to end up with a car that has been flooded and since Katrina many used cars have been brought on the lot with just that problem. Ordering a CARFAX Vehicle History Report is worth your time and money and empowers consumers in knowing exactly what they are purchasing.

9. Know the financial vehicle history of the used car. To make sure a car is not stolen, police agencies have records of stolen vehicles reported to them. Consult with the police if you are not satisfied with the amount of detail you are getting from the vehicle history....it can save you time and worry down the line.via

used car values, sale cars, cars sell

Ford Escape Hybrid

Consider one simple fact: The Ford Escape Hybrid is the most efficient hybrids SUV on the market. The front-drive Escape Hybrid has government fuel economy ratings of 34 city/30 highway, while the AWD version offers 29 city/27 highway. What else do you need to know, except that the Ford Escape Hybrid offers plenty of space, comfort, and versatility?

Though the Ford Escape Hybrid Car touts new looks and an updated cabin, it still offers the same mechanics and powertrain as the previous model. Ford did not tinker with a winning formula. Power comes from a 2.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a pair of electric motors, which together output a net 155 horses. Performance-wise, the Escape Hybrid splits the difference between the slower standard four-cylinder Escape, and the more powerful V6 model.

Hybrid Vehicles

Drivers may also be a little disappointed with handling. The Ford Escape Hybrid’s extra 300 pounds of weight as compared to the regular gas-powered Escape, gives it a noticeable feeling of heaviness. Surprisingly, stability control is not available on this SUV. In addition, the Ford Escape Hybrid may not be the ideal choice if battling harsh weather and road conditions are your top priority. The all-wheel drive of the Ford Escape Hybrid does not possess the sure-footedness found on fully gas-powered vehicles, although the ride quality is more than adequate for both commuting and carting the family.

These pet peeves aside, the Ford Escape Hybrid is a capable, versatile, and efficient vehicle—perhaps the most realized expression so far of the combined benefits and capabilities of an SUV, and the fuel parsimony of a hybrid cars.

Things To Know About Car Values And Pricing

We have a lot of ways on how to choose a good car before we buy. Some of us will go directly to our local car dealer and some also will search on the internet for a best car to buy. Nowadays, lots of car auction sites offers low car prices but we don't know the real condition of the car.

Don't look for cheapest car. When it comes to used cars, "best deal" doesn't mean the cheapest one. Your goal is to look for a car in good condition for reasonable price. If you choosing between relatively cheap car that might have an accident in the past or was poorly maintained, needs some repair, etc. and more expensive one that is in excellent condition, I'd without a doubt choose the more expensive one. You will simply save on repairs and will have less troubles driving it.


Don't think they sell it cheap because they don't know the price or they simply want to clear their inventory. If they sell it cheap, definitely there is something wrong with it. Remember, proper price for a certain used vehicle is not the one indicated in blue or black book - they give you just an average price.


The actual vehicle value big time depends on a car condition. Two cars may only look the same. One may have been maintained so poorly and the engine won't last long after you buy it. Previous owner of another vehicle may have been religious about maintenance, was using only synthetic oil, has done the rustproof and so on. Without a doubt, I'd rather pay $2000 more for this second car just to have peace of mind driving it.

So next time you buy used cars, know first it's value and pricing before you make a deal with your car dealer.

used car values, cars pricing, car auction

GM Moves Forward with Impact Electric Car

The early 1990s brought many surprises to the advanced technology vehicle field. During this time, the most notable vehicle introduction was that of the GM Impact electric car concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Shortly after GM’s top management announced that the concept would become a reality, there was a flurry of activity on many fronts to make this real. GM brought all its resources to bear, from its noted research and development labs to the varied talents of its extensive supplier network. GM’s newly acquired Hughes Aircraft division also provided substantial brainpower from the aircraft and aerospace industries. At the time Green Car editors closely followed this development program and drove the early test mules at GM’s Desert Proving Grounds. This article is reprinted just as it ran in Green Car Journal’s February 1992 issue to share our thoughts on GM’s unfolding electric car efforts.

EVALUATING GM’S ELECTRIC CAR PROGRAM
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 1992 In the two years since GM announced its intention to produce an EV based on the Impact electric vehicle prototype, the automaker has formed an electric vehicle marketing group and brought together an impressive pool of talent to focus on EV development. It has also brought to bear the full impact of its mid-'80s acquisition of high technology-laden Hughes Aircraft through wide-ranging technology transfers. And in an important strategic move, the automaker is using Hughes Systems Engineering and Program Management techniques to guide its complex future EV to market.

Specific component manufacturing sites have also been determined for the EV program. Named to date: Delco Remy Division (Muncie, Ind.) to build the batteries. GM Lansing Craft Centre (Lansing, Mich.) to assemble the vehicles. Delco Remy Plant 17 (Anderson, Ind.) to produce propulsion motors. And Hughes Power Control Systems (Torrance, Calif.) to design and manufacture power electronics and charging systems.

Green Car recently gathered first-hand knowledge of GM's electric vehicle progress at the automaker's Mesa, Ariz. proving grounds. Three electric test "mules", a specially outfitted Chevrolet Lumina APV van and two Geo Storms, were placed at our disposal. We were able to get a feel for off-the-line and passing performance and experience GM's developmental regenerative braking system. Importantly, this session also produced some hard numbers that allow an analysis of EV performance potential.

All three test vehicles were equipped with the componentry being developed for GM's coming Impact-style electric vehicle. Included: A pair of 57 hp (114 hp total) AC induction motors that drive the front wheels; dual MOSFET inverters; and a 42.5 amp-hour, 13.6 kWh battery pack with 32 series-wired 10V batteries.

Elapsed 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) test times of 12 seconds were attained by a Geo test mule. That's within 1 1/2 seconds of the 0-60 mph times attained by an internal combustion (IC) engine powered Storm, and about the same performance as some sport/utility vehicles. Data recorded by one onboard computer indicated an 8 kW power draw at 50 mph (80 kph), 13 kW at 60 mph (97 kph), and 21 kW at 70 mph (113 kph). The Storm's performance times are a full one-third slower than those projected for the Impact-style EV that GM will produce. But the Geos were handicapped with curb weights 610 lbs (277 kg) greater than the Impact prototype, and aerodynamics less favorable at 0.31 Cd vs. 0.19 Cd.

While the heavier Lumina APV was notably slower than the Storm mules, its taller gearing netted an 85 mph (137 kph) top speed, 10 mph (16 kph) faster than the Geos. The electric APV's overall performance and handling suggest the potential as a future fleet vehicle should GM decide to go this route. Certainly, APV styling is already in tune with the image of a future transport vehicle. GM sources advised Green Car that no plans are on the table at this time. In the interim, the APV serves as the perfect developmental vehicle since its cavernous interior allows straightforward testing of various battery configurations.

The only developmental glitch experienced during our testing was with one Storm's inverter, a problem that temporarily affected the synchronous operation of its front-drive motors. This was later remedied. The APV and second Storm did not experience a similar problem. GM Hughes Electronics is currently working on the program's second-generation inverter to make it a low-cost, reliable, and manufacturable unit for a production EV. "To develop the inverter, we have adopted an approach used with the Strategic Defense Initiative Project," shares James Abrahamson, Executive Vice President at Hughes Aircraft Co. "This approach is to work concurrently on several generations of technology at the same time... and the payoff is real." Improvements over the original prototype have found the total number of parts reduced by 85% and costs cut by 97%.

Test sessions like these are eye-opening. But they do leave certain important questions, most notably range, unanswered. When battery power is heavily tapped by quick off-the-line starts and relatively high speeds, range is greatly compromised. Physical laws dictate that an EV will go farther with gentle acceleration and moderate speeds. Unfortunately, not all motorists drive this way.

While this test session was not designed to establish range parameters, Green Car editors feel safe in concluding that a 120 mile jaunt was not in the cards for any of these vehicles on this test day. But the fact that these EVs did accelerate and handle well, and felt so conventionally car-like in many respects, make this a very important milestone for GM and its electric vehicle program.

2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Series Runs on Natural Gas

Natural gas is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to gasoline and diesel in Europe. It’s less expensive than these conventional motor fuels and has lower carbon dioxide emissions. Also helping is the growing availability of natural gas, with nearly 800 compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling stations in Germany, 600 in Italy, 100 in Switzerland, and 90 in Austria.

Mercedes-Benz has joined in to lend its emphasis to the viability of natural gas vehicles with a bi-fuel engine option for the redesigned 2009 B-Class. The B 170 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY joins B-Class models powered by 1.5- and 1.7-liter gasoline engines (B 150 and B 170), 1.8- and 2.0-liter diesel engines (B 180 CDI and B 200 CDI), and a turbocharged 2-liter gasoline engine (B 200 TURBO). All are four cylinder powerplants.

Identified by "NGT" – for Natural Gas Technology – on the tailgate, the B 170 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY Sport Tourer delivers an identical maximum output of 116 horsepower on either gasoline or natural gas. A driver selects the fuel using a button on the steering wheel. An electronic control unit switches fuel source instantaneously and seamlessly, even while driving.

Mercedes-Benz added four additional gas injectors on the underside of the intake manifold to handle natural gas. A close-coupled pressure governor with an electromagnetic shut-off valve regulates the supply of natural gas and maintains a constant gas pressure in the system.

In addition to the gasoline tank, there are five compressed natural gas tanks with a total capacity of 35.2 pounds, providing a range of over 180 miles. The B 170 NGT has a total range of over 620 miles on both fuels. The tanks are located in the rear and beneath the front passenger footwell. Trunk capacity is about 25 percent less that conventional models but still sufficient for carrying a family's luggage.

The B-170 NGT achieves 32 mpg on premium gasoline as measured on the combined European driving cycle. According to Mercedes, the cost of running on natural gas is around 50 percent less than on gasoline.

Carbon dioxide emissions are some 20 percent lower than in the gasoline-powered B 170 at 135 gm/km, with NOx emissions 11 percent less. When calculated on a total lifecycle basis, carbon monoxide emissions are reduced by over 50 percent. While more CO2 is produced in manufacturing the more complex B 170 NGT, this is balanced out by the savings offered when running on natural gas after 10,730 miles. Germany’s TÜV Technical Inspection Authority has awarded a "Design For Environment" to the B 170 NGT, the first natural gas-powered car to receive the award.

Also new for the B-Class is an ECO start/stop function that’s optional on B 150 and B 170 BlueEFFICIENCY models. ECO automatically turns the engine off when the driver shifts to neutral at low speed while depressing the brake pedal. If the predetermined criteria for engine shut-down are met, a display on the instrument panel informs the driver. When the clutch is pressed or the brake pedal released, the engine starts almost noiselessly and in a fraction of a second. It doesn’t have regenerative braking. Mercedes-Benz says the belt driven starter-generator produces a fuel saving of up to nine percent.

The B-Class is available in Canada although only the B 200 and B 200 TURBO are now sold there. There are currently no plans to bring the B-Class to the U.S., although that’s a scenario we hope will change as the market for small cars – and of course natural gas-powered cars – increases in response to high gasoline prices and concerns about CO2 emissions.

5 Natural Gas Car Facts

What's the Status of Natural Gas Vehicles?
In years past, a number of auto manufacturers offered cars and light trucks that could operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). All automakers except Honda have left this market in the U.S., although companies like BAF Technologies do modify select existing models to run on gaseous fuels. This lack of CNG vehicles should change for the better since natural gas has so much going for it, especially in this age of rising gasoline and diesel prices and a growing dependence on imported oil. Natural gas is the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels, it’s found in abundance in the U.S., and it’s also significantly less expensive than gasoline.

Safe and Reliable
CNG is actually a safer fuel than gasoline. After all, natural gas is used in virtually every home. Unlike gasoline that can pool on the ground in the event of an accident or leak, CNG dissipates harmlessly into the air. With a very narrow range of flammability to be combustible and nearly twice the ignition temperature of gasoline, it’s also less likely to cause a fire. Because natural gas is such a clean burning fuel, carbon deposits in an engine are nil, reducing cylinder and ring wear so engine life can be much greater than when running on gasoline. Oil change and tune up intervals can also be extended.

Natural Gas is Growing in Popularity
Natural gas vehicles are growing in popularity. This has been driven in recent years by the medium- to-heavy duty market. Natural gas is now widely used in transit buses, school buses, refuse trucks, package delivery trucks, and vehicles used in ports. One thing these all have in common is that they can be refueled at a central location. This is not the case with cars and light trucks that travel where natural gas might be difficult to find. This could have contributed to the lack of interest in natural gas vehicles by general consumers in the past. In recent years, companies like Clean Energy have successfully driven natural gas vehicle use by building fueling stations and supplying natural gas under multi-year contracts to fleets at costs significantly less than the per-gallon cost of gasoline or diesel. Fleet use should lead to greater consumer use in the future.

Convenient At-Home Refueling
At present there are about 800 natural gas stations available nationwide, compared to 175,000 stations dispensing gasoline. Refueling at a fast-fill CNG station takes no longer than tanking up with gasoline. As the fueling infrastructure builds for CNG, the inconvenience of limited public fueling opportunities is softened by the availability of filling up at home. That’s because Honda offers the Phill home refueling appliance, which was developed in conjunction with its Canadian technology partner Fuelmaker and is now manufactured by that company. Phill can be installed in a garage or outside a home to allow refueling using a home's natural gas supply. The refueling appliance does require as much as 16 hours to fill an almost empty tank, although it’s likely that a natural gas vehicle refueled at home will rarely have an empty tank, and an overnight top-off will usually be sufficient for the daily commute. In many cases, vehicles fueled up at favorable natural gas home rates can operate as cheaply as the equivalent of $1.25 to $1.50 per gallon.

Honda’s Civic GX
Unlike bi-fuel vehicles previously offered by other automakers that could run alternatively on natural gas or gasoline, Honda’s “dedicated” natural gas Civic GX – the industry’s cleanest internal combustion production vehicle – has an engine that’s optimized to run only on this alternative fuel. The Civic GX comes only as a four door sedan that looks identical to gasoline Civics. Its 113 horsepower four-cylinder engine produces about 27 hp less than the standard Civic engine but you really can’t feel the difference during normal driving. The equivalent of 8 gallons of natural gas fuel is stored in a 3600 psi pressurized fuel cylinder located at the forward part of the trunk. This tank, which is hidden behind a carpeted liner, does consume some trunk space but leaves quite adequate room for carrying groceries, gear, and luggage. The Civic GX has an EPA estimated 24 mpg city/36 mpg highway fuel rating, about the same as the gasoline Civic. Its real-world driving range is approximately 200 miles between fill-ups. At $25,225, the GX costs about $7,000 more than the gasoline powered LX model but presently qualifies for substantial federal tax credits and other incentives. At this time in California you can even obtain a decal that allows driving a Civic GX in HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle, or “carpool”) lanes even with only one person in the car. This is the same benefit enjoyed by qualified hybrid cars that were issued decals in the state, although no new hybrid decals are available since the maximum allocation of hybrid HOV decals has been reached.

VW Jetta SportWagen Scores High

Before gasoline-electric hybrids made headlines, the VW turbo direct injection (or TDI) diesel was the undisputed king of fuel economy. Even with competition like the Prius, Civic Hybrid, and Insight, TDI powered Volkswagens often delivered the highest real-world mileage available from the showroom floor. Now, with federally mandated ultra low sulfur ‘clean’ diesel fuel available in the U.S., Volkswagen is set to market the next generation of high-mileage diesel technology in all 50 states.

Later this year, VW will launch its cleanest diesel ever in the form of the Jetta SportWagen. The new four-cylinder 2.0-liter TDI engine meets the most stringent Tier II/ Bin 5 emissions standards, with tailpipe emissions on par with clean gasoline engines. Interestingly, these standards are tougher than their European counterpart, the Euro-5 emission standard. Volkswagen hasn’t officially announced fuel economy estimates, but inside sources indicate that mileage will be 12 percent better than the previous generation TDI. Even with the more aggressive 2008 EPA test procedures, that should mean real-world fuel economy in the low-to-mid 40 mpg range. Hyper-mileage enthusiasts may be able to coax well over 50 mpg from the new powertrain.

The new 16-valve 2.0-liter TDI produces 140 horsepower and importantly 235 lbs-ft of torque. That generous torque launches the Jetta with authority and delivers strong performance under load and on long grades. VW is meeting the strict 50-state emissions standards without the aid of urea injection. Instead, internal engine modifications include unique cylinder pressure sensors that allow a new type of individual cylinder pressure based combustion control. The high-pressure injection pump, common rail fuel supply, and high pressure injectors have also been optimized along with the addition of dual high and low pressure exhaust gas recirculation systems. Exhaust after-treatment includes an oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter, and a NOx trap.

Perhaps most impressive is what you don’t get with the new TDI. Quiet and smooth, the latest TDI gives few cues that you are driving a diesel. In fact, while idling next to a four cylinder economy car, the TDI was noticeably quieter. And of course, there is no tell-tale sooty smoke or diesel odor.

The Jetta SportWagen is a landmark vehicle. As the first high-mileage clean diesel offered in the North American market, it will bring the long awaited promise of superior fuel economy and clean operation in a very versatile package. The 2.0-liter TDI will also be offered in the Jetta Sedan, and expect the Rabbit TDI to return soon. The verdict? We’ve seen the future of diesel and it is a very good one, indeed.