Used Cars for Sale Information & Tips

Keeping your car in top running condition is very important. The importance of car maintenance and oil changes is simple. Your car will not be safe or even run if you do not keep up with the maintenance. Oil changes are needed every three thousand miles to keep the engine in top running condition. If you do not change your oil when needed, eventually the oil breaks down from the heat and does not have any benefit. The engine needs to have clean oil to function properly. The oil change takes a matter of ten to fifteen minutes and does not cost that much to do.

When you have the oil changed by a professional garage, they will more than likely check all fluid levels, tie rods, springs, exhaust and tires. In a garage, they put the car on a car lift, which allows the mechanic to see the entire underside of the car. If a mechanic sees any wear on any parts, they will inform you before something more serious happens. You should have your belts checked every six months to make sure they are not frayed or loose. The fuel filter will need changing every year or two because they do become dirty and can clog up when the car is running, cutting off gas to the engine.

You never want to be stranded anywhere because your car broke down because of poor maintenance. Tie rods do get old and can break at the most inappropriate time. Once this happens, you will have no control over the steering of your car. Tires that have bald spots can cause a blowout on a highway, which can create a potentially dangerous situation. Battery cables can corrode, water pumps can show signs of leaking or brakes can start rubbing and grinding. You need to use good judgment when you own a car.

Making sure your car is in top running condition is all a part of owning a car. Check the oil every other week or so to make sure the oil level is not low. If you run the engine out of oil, you are going to have a car body with no working engine. You might have to add a little oil from time to time between oil changes. If you see oil spots where you park, it is time to have the engine checked right away to find out why. Keep up the maintenance on you car and it should last for years.

I saw this Toyota listing earlier today and I just thought I’d help them out by spotlighting them from the other million listings on the website.

The Toyota Tercel is like the lil’ engine that could - just like this listing. With over 30 images and an accompanying video, the dealer is trying pretty hard to get this one off the lot. It has pretty low miles and it’s worth checking it out! =)

The Shelby Series 1 used to be one of my favorite cars - of course, I was also a teenager back then. Even though I couldn’t afford it, I waited years and years for these to come out until I eventually lost interest in the whole project due to delays.

With years of production troubles, I seriously thought these cars were never actually produced. However, to my surprise, we have one in the system! It’s been years since I’ve read any news about it but if you’re looking for something unique, this is one of those rare finds.

Living in Atlanta and other large cities can cause a lot of frustration on those days when traffic is particularly slow for whatever reason. Last year, for example, Atlanta (home of EasyAutoSales.com) was rated the sixth worst city in the US for traffic by Forbes Magazine. I, personally, have lived in both Chicago and Washington D.C. (two very traffic heavy cities) and have traveled most of the East coast. In my experience, Atlanta traffic is worse than any city I’ve been to. To combat these traffic issues, many cities like New York City, New York and London, England have or plan to institute congestion charges and hope to alleviate some of the traffic woes by a combination of fewer cars coming into the city and congestion charge money to improve road infrastructure. However, sometimes traffic volume isn’t the problem. Often times rain brings out poor driving. Other times, automobile accidents or road construction that lead to traffic issues. However, despite the fact that many cite the roads and road conditions as major parts in determining the speed of traffic, we often overlook the human element.I recently came across a video that displays the results of human drivers who were asked to drive ~30 KPH on a closed loop with 21 other drivers. A time lapsed version of the video shows that without any provocation, the distances  drivers keep from the cars around them tend to fluctuate to such a great degree that eventually a “rubber neck” effect occurs that seems to propagate as a wave throughout the closed loop. The video can be seen below:

Most of the time I, as well as many others, attribute traffic jams to accidents, police cars and other active situations that occur on the road and disturb the physical flow of traffic (eg. blocked lanes). Other times we see traffic lights that prevent enough cars from passing through an intersection and a slow buildup that leads to even slower traffic. The above video proves that there is a strong psychological component to traffic jams that is beyond the laws and rules of the road.

What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

Read these 8 Tips for Buying a Used Car before making your final decision on what car to buy:

1. The Engine - The first thing to check is the engine. You need to look at the overall condition of the engine. Is there oil all over? Does there look like the belts are worn? If you see anything that does not look right, you should inquire as to why. You can have your own mechanic check to see if there are any potential problem with the engine of the used car.
2. The Body - The body is another thing to look at. Just because you do not see any rust or holes, does not mean the underside does not have rust or holes. Check the wheel wells and the trunk for holes or rust. Take a close look at the bumpers. Make sure there is no rust by the connections. Make sure the bumper is secure.
3. The Fuel Efficiency - Some used cars can be certified gas guzzlers.  In these economic times the cars fuel efficiency should be top of mind (Check out these 8 best used cars under 10k that are fuel efficient).
4. The Mileage - Check the odometer. The mileage on a car is important. Compare the mileage to the mileage listed on the title. It is possible to turn back the odometer. An inconsistency with the odometer reading may be that a different engine was installed.
5. The Gauges - Remember to check all the gauges after you start the car. This includes the gas gauge, oil pressure gauge and the temperature gauge. A faulty gauge can cause confusion for the driver.
6. The Frame - Another thing to look at in your used car search is the condition of the frame. Examine the car from a straight on view from the front and back. Make sure the frame is straight. Cars that were in an accident and repaired may shows signs of frame damage that could not be repaired correctly.
7. The History - Ask the person questions about the car. Make sure you know everything about the car.  You can check with some of the car websites to see the history of the car. This helps you find out a little more information about the car that may not be known by the person selling it or the person may not want to disclose the information. All you need is the VIN number, which is located in the window on the left side of the car.
8. The Test Drive - Next, take the car for a test drive. Make sure to take it on the highway to see how the front end handles. A shaky front end may be a sign of an unaligned front end. See how the vehicle handles turning, stopping and accelerating. If the car passes all of your tests and examination, you are probably getting a good car that will last for a while.

Buying a car is often a complicated process, and it is made even more complicated when dealers dangle rebates and other incentives in front of your face.  Sometimes these incentives may even be intentionally used to draw your attention away from other, less appealing, aspects of the deal you are being offered.  The most typical incentives offered to potential customers include rebates and low-interest financing.

One very important thing to remember is that rebates are offered by the manufacturer of the car.  They do not come from the dealer, and therefore you still have the right to negotiate every aspect of your price and financing with your dealer before agreeing to purchase the car.  Generally, the best approach is to get the price of the vehicle lowered before agreeing to accept the rebate or special financing that is being offered.  Your dealer may be less willing to work with you if he knows you are planning to take the rebate.

Always read the fine print carefully before you agree to any terms.  This is especially important when you are receiving incentives, as often additional fees may be included to help cover the cost of the special deal you are being offered.  Low-interest financing may also only apply to shorter terms and less popular vehicle models.  Be certain to ask before you decide which car to buy, or you might end up wasting hours on paperwork before realizing that the incentives you were interested in are not available to you.

Incentives are typically used to motivate potential customers to purchase models that are selling slowly.  Dealers often receive their own incentives straight from the manufacturer for selling a specific number of that particular model.  Generally, these factory-to-dealer incentives result in less cost to the dealer.  This should be reflected both in the incentives offered to you, and in the price of the vehicle.  Although dealers are not obligated to pass these savings along to their customers, knowing that these dealer incentives exist may strengthen your side during price negotiations.

The decision to buy a new vehicle is an important one.  All aspects of the purchase need to be carefully considered before you agree to sign the contract.  Research your vehicle choices carefully before heading to the dealership, and look into financing options available based on your credit score.  If you feel you are not getting a good deal, consider moving on to the next dealership.  Dealer incentives vary from one dealer to the next.  Some may be more willing to work with you than others.