So, You Want To Buy A Used Car?

so you want to buy a good used car well you're not alone there are a good many people who want dependable transportation for less money than a new car and they get it because today's cars have enough mileage built into them by the car makers to fill the needs of a long line of different owners some people look at used cars to find a second or even a third car for the family [Music] some people want more car more in it more on it than the same money would buy in a new car there are also some who trade regularly for a year old model because it costs less than buying a new car every year but whatever reason you have for wanting to buy a good used car the first person you're likely to meet is the used car salesman before he can be of any real help to you he will need to know how do you plan to use the car is this school pleasure how much do you plan to drive it and how much can you afford to pay for it it is a fact that unless he knows your price range you both may waste a lot of time time Frank Reynolds I'm Jack Stuart can I help you well I want a car to drive to school my father will sign for it it doesn't have to be a t-bird but well it does have to have some class what else have you got in this price range our table for the convertible over there you can't go wrong on either them fine if I have any questions I'll come ass Jack was wrong with the hardtop nothing really it's just that this is more what I had in mind that was convertible at a real good buy [Music] [Music] what are you doing looking for signs of serious accident damage I checked the doors to make sure they fit smoothly without slamming I looked at the body panels for any ripples oh and now I make sure the paint on the underside of hood is the same as the paint on the top looks the same to me how about the pan that's right it isn't bent oh could I see it with the top down oh sure Jim Jim would you put the top down on this place and get a boot on it thanks okay inspector what's next Bell oh sure safety belt we recommend them on every tire more than just safety belts how safe is the whole car the word belts is an easy way to remember five safety points you should check B for brakes key for the exhaust system L for lights T for tires s for steering bells yeah those are five things that ought to be checked regularly on every car very good lay it on well if you don't mind I'd like to show you what I mean I start with the brakes with the regular breaks I hold my foot down on the pedal steady well for about a minute and if the pedal holds doesn't fall away slowly then I know the brakes are good there are no leaks in the hydraulic system I'd also like to test the brakes by driving the car while easy speed not fast I keep stopping a little harder each time the brakes are good the stops will be straight be smooth and the car won't swerve the brakes won't grab or chatter well brake pedal teams okay let's see ah I'm going to check the exhaust system make sure it's safe well it doesn't have to be new or anything just not too rusty and no holes knocked in it well let's see ah L for lights if you work them I'll watch them you think we put a car out here without lights no but something might have happened here on the lot so I'd still like to check them headlights let's see the bright the parking lights the turn signals [Music] the taillight [Music] try to turn signals again now the brake line everything check out yeah fine for now I'd be four tires the low mileage car they ought to be good yeah I'm not bad no cracks of scrapes on the sidewalls plenty of life left on these tires all the rest are just like that one there's almost no - Wow these are fine si de LTS s for steering taking the free plane yeah how much you figure is normal all about this much couple inches for manual steering but our steering almost no play at all I'd like to take it out on the road for a few minutes - can we take it out a few minutes I'll get the license plates oh by the way I got a service record that shows just about everything ever done to this car since we sold it new fine like to say when we get back watch jacks to it he is actually duplicating a good many of the actions and observations of professional used-car appraisers he's making an overall inspection checking the total appearance the condition of the paint the middle [Music] now he's checking the action of the shock absorbers and the condition of the trunk to a used-car appraiser a neat trunk with a good spare with a jack firmly fastened down is a positive plus small things like this indicate the kind of care a car's head now he's checking the condition of the interior seats armrest and the floor covered he's saying that the windows work and that the glass is all right one of the most important things in any used car is unused engine life here he's looking for signs of possible trouble aware like traces of water fuel or oil leak [Music] he checks the radiator water for rust some rust is Normand thick and gummy rust can mean a hot running engine he's also checking the radiator and heater hoses hard brittle ones will have to be replaced [Music] [Music] he's checking the seat for support comfort make sure the adjuster work flies all the knobs and buttons including such simple things as the cigarette lighter you know one small thing like that that doesn't work can spoil the fun of having a new used car got the license on and you've got the keys okay now generator in oil lights okay that's a good healthy pound yeah not bad if an engine is slow starting it may need point plugs or a complete tune-up if the starter doesn't kick the engine over quickly it may just be a weak battery on the road Jack Stewart continues with more of the same basic tests used by professional appraisers repeated stops at moderate speed to see that the car stopped straight and smoothly to see the brakes didn't grab or chatter after each brake test he watches how the car starts up and gains speed the way a used car appraiser does to see that the automatic transmission is performing smoothly with a manual transmission the clutch should engage smoothly without grab or chatter [Music] he lets the car steer itself briefly on a level place to see that it stays on the straight and narrow no tendency to drift you can get drift from poor alignment of the front wheels or from unequal tire pressure he also makes several running acceleration tests taking the car from ten to forty miles an hour with an automatic transmission the engine shouldn't race during the shift and the shifts themselves should be smooth and even a manual transmission car should pick up steadily without the engine hesitating or bucking a series of sharp turns at low speed both to the right and left to see that the steering doesn't bind he also checks the steering over bumps to see that it is not loose or jerky [Music] thanks mr. rental I'll be back he's sure covered the course [Music] Oh mr. Reynolds I told you I'd be back this is my dad how do you mr. Stewart I'm sorry with putting your son introduced himself I didn't recognize the name they are those are new bakery trucks running very well how's the used car business passable and we improve it a little I understand my son has found a good car well I think so dad I needed a fine job how about a small Commission remember I'm the one that recommended he come here I appreciate it and I'll keep on recommending your pies and cakes there's one thing I'd like to know how did you learn so much about appraising used cars well driver education boy he sure did his homework literally millions of good used cars are bought every year to buy yours remember a few basic rules first shop for a dependable used car dealer before you shop for a dependable used car second reassure yourself that the car is in good physical condition and has not been in a serious wreck by performing the few simple tests outlined in this film third make a thorough safety check of the car remember the word belts to remind yourself to check brakes exhaust lights tires and steering and remember too that failure to pass all the safety tests should not mean automatic rejection of the car unless the seller cannot or will not adjust or repair the car so that it can pass the test the second time around and finally examine the car yourself by using the same on the lot and on the road test a dealer or appraiser uses to determine the condition and value of the car so you want to buy a good used car no I just bought one [Applause] [Music]