Edmunds Daily

Used Car Corner

November 19, 2009

Used Car Corner: Must-Have Features for Shoppers

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Back in the early '90s I worked for a couple of months during the summer at an Acura dealership selling new and used cars.  Being a somewhat naive car nut and needing a job, I figured my automotive expertise and honest demeanor would work with a respected, high-line brand.

Yes, I was wrong; I distinctly remember the sales manager telling me "You gotta hammer these people!" because I would try to arrive at a mutually-agreeable price rather than go for the jugular.  I nicknamed him "Gino" because he looked and talked (in a low, husky voice) like he was in the mafia.  But I digress. I did learn a few things there, such as what pushed buyers' hot buttons...

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November 12, 2009

Used Car Corner: 5 Key Points to Remember When Placing An Ad

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The importance of placing a concise, effective ad when you're selling your car can't be overstated.  What may seem so obvious to some people completely escapes others (such as stating the mileage).  To help you out, following is a list of five key points to keep in mind when working up your ad.

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November 5, 2009

Used Car Corner: Restoring Your Headlights (Wax on, Wax off)

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In the olden days, headlights were made of glass and were round (okay, sometimes rectangular).  Most modern headlights have plastic lenses/covers that in time get hazy and even yellowed as they age.  Thousands of miles of getting bombarded with dirt, sand and grit are to blame for clouding up these headlights.  And until recently, you had no option but to replace them with expensive new units.  Depending on how far gone they are, you can probably save them with a headlight restoration kit, provided you don't mind mimicking Daniel-san in the Karate Kid.  

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October 29, 2009

Used Car Corner: Do Small Car Dealerships Have Inferior Cars?

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Drive by new car dealers and used car dealers and it's hard not to notice the difference. The new car dealer typically has a much larger building and lot, as well as nicer furnishings inside and out.  The used car dealer, meanwhile, will likely have a smaller facility, a less luxurious showroom and a dearth of manicured real estate. So of course, the new car dealer will have better used cars, right?  Don't be so quick to answer that...

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October 22, 2009

Used Car Corner: Free History Lessons Courtesy of Edmunds

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While doing research on the Dodge Challenger, I was reminded of yet another reason why Edmunds continues to be the go-to source for used car information. Perhaps you didn't know this, as there is so much on our site, but we have a section on model histories

We have dozens of these covering many popular models, and they cover a given model from its birth to its latest form.  The information provided is exhaustive -- I know because I used to write them!  So you found an old but nice, low-mileage 1996 Accord EX in the classifieds and want to know the differences between the LX and the EX?  We've got you covered. Got a bet going with your gearhead friends on how much horsepower the '84 Mustang GT had compared to the '87?  No problem. 

I provided the link (above), but to otherwise access them, here's the drill: From the Edmunds home page, click on "Car Reviews" (on top of the page), scroll down all the way and click on "Model Histories" (on left underneath "Retrospectives").

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October 15, 2009

Used Car Corner: Is Finding The Perfect Car Worth Your While?

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So I headed back to the East Coast for a wedding this past weekend, which gave me a chance to reacquaint myself with my old 1995 Acura Integra GSR. My parents are driving it now, and with 14 calendar years and 108,000 miles on the clock, it couldn't be running more smoothly. This, folks, is a special car, a sublime marriage of Civic reliability and M-Division enthusiasm -- but driving it also reminded me of the two months I spent scouring the online classifieds before I found this thing back in the summer of 2006. Which brings me to the subject of this column: whether it's worth the considerable effort that may be required to find that unblemished gem of your dreams.

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October 8, 2009

Used Car Corner: Unsung Heroes: Compact and Midsize Wagons

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In the crossover craze that's been going on for the better part of this past decade, it's hard to remember those things called station wagons.  A dying breed, traditional station wagons are similar to their sedan counterparts until you get to the C pillar, where past that, instead of a trunk, you have an extended roofline over the cargo area.

Station wagons are typically smaller, lower and lighter than crossovers.  As a result, they offer sportier driving dynamics (especially those based on sport sedans), better fuel economy and easier maneuverability in crowded streets and parking lots.  And let's be honest, the additional cargo capacity they offer over the sedan version is usually more than enough for most folk's needs. 

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October 1, 2009

Used Car Corner: How to Spot Flood-Damaged Cars

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The folks at CarMax recently released a checklist to help potential buyers identify flood damaged cars. Either private parties or car dealers could try to sell you one of these vehicles, which may appear to be in good condition, without disclosing the vehicle's history.  According to CarMax's Jason Day, "Flood-damaged cars that are not...structurally sound could be repaired, re-titled and sold to unsuspecting buyers." 

In addition to checking out our article on flood cars, this handy checklist should be required reading if you want to be as diligent as possible with your used car search.

Follow the jump for 10 tips on how to identify a vehicle that may have flood damage.

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September 24, 2009

Used Car Corner: Owner's Clubs Not Just for Gear Heads

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Most folks probably think of car owners' clubs as something meant only for those who wash their beloved car with baby diapers and who can recite production numbers and engine output figures at will.  Though that's certainly true, these clubs are also a great benefit to owners who may just be interested in some advice or who are looking to buy or sell a particular model.

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September 17, 2009

Used Car Corner: 10 Steps to Buying a Used Car

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For many people, the process of buying a used car ranks right up there with cleaning out the attic, taking the dog to the vet or getting a root canal. However, getting your next set of "pre-loved" wheels needn't be unpleasant and in fact can be somewhat exciting as you look for that just right car.  To make this process much easier, we've come up with a list of 10 steps that should help you navigate through this jungle that can be inhabited by exaggerations, misinformation and confusion.

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September 10, 2009

Dream Car Corner: 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO

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How does a Corvette V8-powered, four-place Grand Touring coupe that can dash to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds, run the quarter in 14 flat and yet get up to 25 mpg on a long trip sound?  And what if we told you that there are mint, low mileage examples available for under $20,000? 

We're talking about the 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO, the made-in-Australia Poncho that had old-school muscle car purists treating it like Rodney Dangerfield ("I tell ya, I get no respect!") and performance car purists dinging it for its less-than-agile handling.  Hey, that's their loss and it results in these modern, fast yet comfortable muscle cars being one of the best used car deals of that last couple of decades. Throw a performance set of springs/shocks/bushings and brake pads on it and you're good to go.

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September 3, 2009

Used Car Corner: The Best Toyota Corolla Ever

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A friend of mine is looking to buy a car, and I've been trying to help. As we talked through his wants and needs, it became clear to me that he doesn't care about excitement -- he's just looking for a reliable, fuel-efficient car that's pleasant to drive and won't break the bank.

If you feel the same way, then woo pig sooie, have I got the car for you!

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August 27, 2009

Used Car Corner: When Replacing Tires, Consider All Your Options

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When it comes time to replacing tires on a car that was bought new, many consumers automatically go with original fitment.  "That's what the manufacturer used, so it must be the best tire for this car" or so goes the wisdom.  But due to factors such as the carmaker wanting to keep production costs down and tire science advancements giving rise to better performing tires, this is not necessarily the best way to go when its time for new sneakers for your ride.

With those ever-increasing advances in tire technology one of the best ways to improve your cars road holding ability, handling and hence safety might be to consider a different set of tires.

This was clearly illustrated during a Dunlop event I attended where the company introduced a a handful of new tire models.  Not to spoil the story, but I can say with certainty that the right tire choice can make a noticeable, "seat of the pants" difference, whether you're talking about a hard-working family car or a high-performance sports car. 

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August 20, 2009

Dream Car Corner: Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

2009 Pebble Winner - 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet.jpg

Few classic and collector automotive events can challenge the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, which happens every August, for sheer car enthusiast overload (a good thing). First there is the concours itself, where a wealth of beauties are displayed on the lush green lawn. There is also the Concorso Italiano which showcases not only hundreds of gorgeous Italian cars but also food and fashion as only the Italians can do.

Although the sites may not yet have their 2009 photo galleries up yet, there's still plenty to see with the past galleries. And let's not forget the Monterey Historics, where you can watch vintage race cars ranging from Boss 302 Mustangs to late '50s Ferrari 250 GTs running on Laguna Seca racetrack.  

There are other events that occur during this week-long festival, including numerous high-brow auctions and the Pebble Beach Tour, where classic cars take to the scenic highway along the coast.

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August 13, 2009

Used Car Corner: 10 Steps to Selling Your Car

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Here at Edmunds, we don't just have articles and advice on buying a car, we also have plenty of useful information to help you out if you're selling some iron too.  

Unless you are planning on buying a new car and/or:

a)  Your car qualifies (and it makes financial sense) for the Cash for Clunkers (aka C.A.R.S. or C4C) program

b)  It doesn't qualify for C4C and you don't mind trading it in and taking a big hit

...then you're looking at unloading that puppy on your own.  But before you drop that ad in Craigslist, however, you might want to optimize your chances of having a quick, minimal hassles sale by reviewing our 10 Steps to Selling Your Car.  

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August 6, 2009

Dream Car Corner: One Good Thing About the Economy - Collector Car Bargains

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When classic and collectable cars skyrocketed in value for the better part of this decade, it was a great time for some, a bad time for others. Genuine car enthusiasts who weren't blessed with great wealth were cut out of the market, replaced by "investors" who, feeling they had jumped aboard a gravy train, gleefully drove the prices up at the big classic car auction houses. 

Recently, thanks to the crummy economy, values have "corrected" themselves and there are some great deals out there.  Still think you have to spend $35,000 to $50,000 for a nice Chevelle SS, Pontiac GTO or Mustang Mach 1?  Think again...

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July 30, 2009

Used Car Corner: Cars as Milestones of Our Lives

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Being a car geek, I tend to date things by what car I (or a relative or friend) was driving or what happened in car news that year.  "Remember your old girlfriend, Melissa? How long ago was that?" a buddy recently asked me.  "Man, that was ages ago.  I had just gotten my '88 MR2 SC at the time so it was 1995."

Remembering what years my siblings were born works the same way...my older sister Elaine?  1957 because it was the first year of fuel injection for the Corvette (as well as other GM cars).  Nieces and nephews?  Same thing.  My godkid Kendra was born in '96.  I know, because it was the last year of the Nissan 300ZX (which was the last Japanese sports car casualty of the time thanks to the weak dollar / strong yen relationship of the early-mid-'90s).

I know (hope?!) I'm not the only car guy that does this.  How about y'all?  Do you remember your wedding anniversary by what you were driving or what happened in the automotive world?

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July 23, 2009

Used Car Corner: Having Your Great eBay Find Shipped Home

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Who would've thought that the day would come when people would buy cars without actually "kicking the tires", you know, seeing the car in person? Now, with eBay (and other sites such as AutoTrader), not only has this happened, but it's proven wildly successful. Thanks to high-resolution photos and the option of having a mechanic check out your internet find, this method of buying used and classic cars is no longer considered strange or foolish. 

But once you find that cherry '89 Firebird Formula 5.7 with only 12,000 one-meticulous-owner miles, you've got to get that baby home.  If it's far away, you may want to fly out and make a road trip of it, but most buyers elect to have the car shipped.  To get the skinny on how to go about this, check out this Edmunds article on How to Ship a Car You Bought Online.

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July 16, 2009

Dream Car Corner: Jay Leno and his Garage of Car Candy

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If you're an antique, classic and muscle car fan, chances are you've seen Jay Leno on Speed Channel, usually as a guest of Mr. Handle Bar mustache (Dennis Gage) on the show "My Classic Car".  You might've also gotten a peek into Leno's "Big Dog Garage" where he keeps his vast array of classic cars and motorcycles.  Leno's a cool guy who's into everything from Duesenburgs to the latest exotics and has even custom built hot rods such as the outrageous "Tank Car". But Jay doesn't just polish them and put them on display, he drives 'em. He knows his stuff whether it's a car's history or its intricate mechanics and although he has a small staff who repair and maintain his collection, Jay has been known to scrape his knuckles working on his cars.

If you're not one of Jay's car buddies but would like to see what's in that garage, you're in luck as Jay has a comprehensive web site with pics, descriptions and videos of his rides (including motorcycles) where he'd just love to tell you how a 1906 Stanley Steamer works or what it's like to drive the new Corvette ZR1 or Ariel Atom.

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July 9, 2009

Used Car Corner: Optimizing Tire Safety and Mileage

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After witnessing a dapper, middle-aged man fueling up his Mercedes CLK convertible, completely oblivious to the fact that two of his tires were visibly low on air, it put me back on my tire maintenance soapbox. I gave him the heads-up and on my way in to work vowed to put up a blog to remind y'all to keep tabs on your tire pressure.  Edmunds feels so strongly about this that we recently (on Earth Day) checked the tire pressure on nearly 500 cars and found that over half were under-inflated.

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July 2, 2009

Dream Car Corner: An Affordable AMG Roadster

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The thought of owning an AMG version of a given Mercedes-Benz would appear to be senseless fantasy for most car nuts.  But if you don't mind the boutique roadster (or "secretary's car" as some colleagues are fond of saying) reputation of the first-generation SLK, there's some serious performance to be had for less than new Miata money...

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June 25, 2009

Used Car Corner: Five-pointed Star Meets Three-pointed Star

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Chrysler isn't getting much respect these days, and rightfully so. My colleagues regularly ridicule many Mopar products, from the Playschool-like Dodge Caliber to the underwhelming Sebring. But did you know that Chrysler offered a stylish coupe and convertible that featured a Mercedes-Benz platform and engine?  Well, from 2004 to 2008, they did.

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June 18, 2009

Dream Car Corner: For My Fellow SoCal Car Buffs, a Few Shows to Bookmark

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My fellow classic car fanatics are no doubt familiar with the heavy hitters as far as Concours d'Elegance go, such as Pebble Beach and Amelia Island.  But sadly they've gotten too popular (and deemed the "place to be") among folks who are more interested in telling their friends they went there and saw so-and-so than actually viewing the gorgeous automotive sculpture that's displayed on the lush lawns.  Weaving your way through the throngs gets old.  

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June 11, 2009

Used Car Corner: Looking For a Good One? Here Are Your Best Bets

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Chances are, if you're shopping for a used midsize family sedan then you're well aware of the Toyota Camry's strong record for being recommended.  And yes, we agree.  But what about other used vehicle segments, such as compact crossover or wagon, where top picks may not be as well known?  No worries, we're here to help with our Used Car Best Bets, where, every year, we select our top choices in each segment based on their functionality, performance, safety, reliability record and value.   

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May 28, 2009

Dream Car Corner: 2003-2004 Mercury Marauder

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Dream Car Corner is a new feature that we will have from time to time. The purpose of DCC is to allow us to cruise the online car ads on company time, umm, we mean highlight what we feel are good deals on dream cars of all types, ranging from old muscle cars to newer exotics.  We dream about a lot of cars -- one week we might feature a late '90s Aston Martin DB7, another could be a mid-70s Cadillac Seville.

Enticing as dream cars are, we urge you do your homework. Contact owner's clubs for common problems, review the seller's maintenance records and if you're not a knowledgeable gearhead, (and especially for more complex vehicles) have the vehicle checked out by a competent mechanic.  

Dream Car: 2003-2004 Mercury Marauder

Brief History:
A nameplate from the '60s, this full-size Mercury musclecar combined luxury with a fair measure of performance. After 1970 it disappeared but returned in 2003, based on the Grand Marquis, something of a decade's late reaction to the Chevy Impala SS of 1994-1996.  Fitted with a firmed up suspension and essentially the same 302-horsepower, high-output 4.6-liter V8 fitted to the 2003 Mustang Mach 1.  A color-keyed grill, de-chromed body, tinted Ford Crown Victoria taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, bucket seats with console and a few extra gauges further distinguished the Marauder from its Grand Marquis and Crown Vic relatives.  

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May 21, 2009

Used Car Corner: Memorial Day Weekend Maintenance

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This upcoming long weekend is one of the most popular in terms of road trips. But nothing ruins one of these family- or friend-bonding events quite like being stuck on the side of the road, cursing at your car as you wait for the savior from AAA to arrive.  Spending a little time going over your car to make sure everything is up to snuff before setting out is time well spent.  You know, an ounce of prevention and a pound of cure and all that...

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May 14, 2009

Used Car Corner: Saving the Battery While it's Hibernating

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A number of us on staff here have personal cars that don't get driven much (yes, there's some Photoshop-enhanced humor there). A big perk of our job is getting to drive all kinds of new cars all the time, hence the semi-retired life of our personal rides.  We've even dubbed the parking area for them the Editorial Graveyard, as some of the vehicles (including yours truly) have a layer of dust on them seemingly dating back to the Clinton Administration. 

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May 7, 2009

Dream Car Corner: Debuts with a Dark Horse

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Dream Car Corner is a new feature that we will have from time to time. The purpose of DCC is to allow us to cruise the online car ads on company time, umm, we mean highlight potential good deals on dream cars of all types, ranging from old muscle cars to newer exotics.  We dream about a lot of cars -- one week we might feature a late '90s Aston Martin DB7, another week might highlight a mid-70s Cadillac Seville.

Dream Car: 1968-1970 AMC AMX 

Brief History:
Introduced as a late 1968 and running through 1970, the two-seater AMX is not nearly as common as an old Camaro, Mustang or Barracuda.  Essentially a shortened Javelin -- which was AMC's answer to the aforementioned pony cars -- the two-seater AMX boasted show car styling and agile (for the day) handling.  

A 290 ci (225 hp) V8 was standard, with a 343 ci (280 hp) and 390 ci (315 hp) V8s optional. A four-speed manual was standard, a three-speed automatic optional. An AMX with the 390 and 4-speed could sprint to 60 mph in about 7 seconds flat and run down the quarter mile in the low- to mid-15 second range.

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April 30, 2009

Used Car Corner: Cruising the Classic Classifieds

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Looking for the classic car of your dreams has never been easier.  Though you may take this as a shameless plug for AutoTrader, given their partnering with Edmunds, well, you'd only be partly right.  With their slick new site, AutoTrader Classics, they've upped their game, making it more enjoyable to see what's out there.  There are now larger pictures (a previous pet peeve I had was the smallish photos), a slide show function and a more user-friendly search tool.  The latter keeps your search info on the left-hand side when it displays the search results, allowing you to modify the search without having to "page back" or some such nonsense. 

You can also opt to see only ads with prices and/or photos.  I don't know about you, but when I see an ad with no price or photo, it raises a red flag.  In the first case, it usually means the seller is looking for stupid money.  In the second, he's too embarrassed or lazy to include some clear, useful photos of the car.

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor

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April 23, 2009

Used Car Corner: Use Your Owner's Manual...or Ours

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It never ceases to amaze me how many people don't bother checking their owner's manuals for service requirements / intervals.  The Quicky Lube shops tell you to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles.  Yet, if you check your owner's manual, you'd see that the actual maker of your vehicle probably recommends changing the oil every 7,500 miles or so.  So if you would like to save money (and a finite resource), keep tabs on what your car needs by taking a look at the maintenance schedule.

We can understand that perhaps when you purchased your used car, the manual was M.I.A. Not to fear, Edmunds is here, with an article on where to find your manual online as well as our handy online maintenance guide for thousands of vehicles.  To use the latter, simply enter your car's basic info (year, make, model, engine, transmission) and you'll be brought to a page showing various mileage intervals. Click on whichever most closely matches the miles on your car and you'll see what should be done.  The parts, labor and total estimated cost are all shown. 

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor

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April 16, 2009

Used Car Corner: Good Used Prius Deals Are Now Out There

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Last summer, when gas was over $4 a gallon, hybrids, the Prius in particular, were selling faster than U2 tickets.  In fact, used Prii were commanding especially strong money -- more than what they stickered for new in many cases. 

What a difference 7 months makes.  Now that gas prices are back to the $2/gallon range, Americans have cooled their heels (big surprise) towards hybrids and compacts.  What this means is that there are now some good deals to be had on the still-desirable Prius -- I've always been impressed by it's combination of comfort, generous passenger/cargo room, decent performance and of course real-world achievable 45-mpg fuel efficiency.  

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April 9, 2009

Used Car Corner: Checking for TSBs and Recalls

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If you've recently bought a used car, or even if you've owned yours for some time, occasionally checking for TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) and Recalls is well-advised.  TSBs are typically non-safety-related defects whereas Recalls are safety related.  You can get the low-down on both with this article

Either way, you'll want to know whether or not your car has any potentially upleasant surprises in store for you. To get the skinny on your car, go here and you'll see links for "Safety Recalls" and "Service Bulletins" on the left hand side.

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor

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April 2, 2009

It's National Car Care Month: Treat Your Car to This Trio

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(In modern engines, oil dipsticks, are usually color coded such as this yellow one just below the Hemi logo.)

No fooling; April is National Car Care Month and we have three simple things you can do today and over the weekend to show your car you care.  As you hopefully already know, these are things you should be doing on a regular basis:

1) Check the oil.  This is the lifeblood of the engine so we advise doing this at every other gas fill-up.

2) Check your tire pressures.  Too-low tire pressure leads to accelerated tire wear, increased fuel consumption and, most importantly, compromised handling and safety.

3) Detail the car.  C'mon, you know that you'll feel better too driving a squeaky-clean car with no bird crap on the hood and no crumbs on the seats.

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor

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March 26, 2009

What Are Your Top Used Cars?

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Here at Edmunds we provide you with all you'd want to know about used cars, including how to buy 'em, how to sell 'em, how to maintain 'em, our top picks, etc.  But today we've decided to turn the tables and ask you all for some information.  We're interested in what your experiences have been with your "previously loved" vehicle purchases.

What have been your all-time best and worst used cars?

 

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor

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March 12, 2009

Used Car Corner: Who's Cleaner with Their Car - Guys or Gals?

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Though this is bound to stir up lunch- and dinner-time "debates" between husbands/wives, boyfriends/girlfriends and brothers/sisters, a recent survey done by leasetrader.com found that girls tended to be slobs more than the guys when it came to keeping their cars' cabins clean.

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February 26, 2009

Used Car Corner: Dark Horse Porsche 911

 

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Even those considering a used Porsche 911 can appreciate a bargain, especially in these economically depressing times.  If we told you that you could buy a nice, low-mileage (25k to 35k miles) Porsche 911 for $25 to $30 grand, you might wonder if we've been spending too much time inhaling fuel fumes and burning rubber at the test track.

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