Questions That You Should Always Ask The Prospective Seller Of Any Car You Are Interested In

After you've discovered a car you may want to purchase, call the seller and ask questions about the vehicle. I have provided a checklist of things to ask the seller so keep this list handy and use it when talking with the them over the phone. Many people are embarassed or afraid to ask questions about a car they are buying because they think they are being pushy or intrusive. This is simply not true. It's your money so don't be afraid to find out all you can about the car you are looking at.

The first question you want to ask is, "Why are you selling the car?" Put them in a defensive position and they must answer promptly. If they hesitate, they have something to hide. Why do most people sell their car? Maybe they lost their job, or there are too many things wrong with it and they don't want to fix it, they'd rather sell it to you. Maybe they bought a better new car and are selling it themselves. These are just a few of the reasons for someone to sell a car.



How many miles are on it? This is the moment of truth for most sellers. This can really reduce the selling price if there's too much mileage. The standard that is accepted by most is 15,000 miles per year. If they have more than that, you will find that websites like Kelly Blue Book and the N.A.D.A. have charts that deduct off the market value of the car for the excessive mileage.



Do they have all the maintenance records, proof of tune ups, and oil change receipts and other repairs or maintenance done on the car? You just nabbed them with three defensive questions in a row. They probably will not have this information, however,even though everyone SHOULD! This can be a powerful negotiating tool plus if you go to sell a car, it can bring a quick sale. This is especially true for higher line cars like Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, etc. These vehicles can be worth quite a bit less without the proper records.



The seller might say "No one keeps that stuff". Your reply will be "I do and everyone I know does. Without it, I have no validation that you properly maintained the car."



Have the seller describe the condition of the interior, the seats, make sure the dash is not cracked, find out about the paint, tires, A/C compressor, ask if the A/C runs cool and what type of AC system it has. Is there any other known issues or needed repairs that you should know about?



After you've asked all the appropriate questions and still think you're interested in the car, it's time to make an appointment with the seller to look at and test drive the car. This is where you find out if they were really truthful. If you discover right away that they lied to you about something you asked I would just walk away. If you caught them in one lie there is no telling how many things they could be hiding from you.

About the Author:

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about cars as well as car wax alternatives at http://www.5starshine.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/questions-that-you-should-always-ask-the-prospective-seller-of-any-car-you-are-interested-in-234747.html

Author: Gregg Hall

Are Ford Car Parts Easily Available?

When it comes to cars, the Ford Motor Company has been and remains one of the most trusted names in automobile manufacturing. Automobile manufacturing history fanatics probably will remember the first Ford car every built which was the Ford Model A. The Ford Model A was not as popular as the later model called the Ford Model T. Though it would be pretty hard to find Ford Car Parts for a genuine Ford Model A or Ford Model T, there will probably be genuine suppliers of Ford Car Parts for other Ford car models.

There are two well known models of Ford Motor Company vehicles – the Ford GT and the Ford Mustang. Nowadays the Ford Mustang is still being used by the company for races where this model is used as its official race car.





To get authentic Ford Car Parts for your prized Ford motor vehicle, you may need to specify to the supplier what year your Ford motor vehicle was introduced. At one website of a Ford Car Parts supplier, parts of cars for the following years were available: 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and now for year 2008 as well.





You might also be able to order Ford Car Parts by the model name itself. The known models for which Ford Car Parts might be available are: Ford Windstar, Ford Victoria, Ford Torino, Ford Thunderbird, Ford Tempo, Ford Taurus, Ford Super Deluxe, Ford Sunliner, Ford Starliner, Ford Sprint, Ford Skyliner, Ford Ranger, Ford Ranchero, Ford Ranch Wagon, Ford Probe, Ford Pinto, Ford Park Lane Wagon, Ford Maverick, Ford Mainline, Ford M-450, Ford M-400, Ford LTD, Ford Granada, Ford Gran Torino, Ford Galaxie, Ford Fusion, Ford Freestyle, Ford Freestar, Ford Ford 300, Ford Ford, Ford Focus, Ford Five Hundred, Ford Fiesta, Ford Festiva, Ford Falcon, Ford Fairmont, Ford Fairlane, Ford F550 Truck, Ford F450 Truck, Ford F350 Truck, Ford F250 Truck, Ford F150 Truck, Ford Explorer, Ford Expedition, Ford EXP, Ford Excursion, Ford Escort, Ford Escape, Ford Elite, Ford Econoline Van, Ford Deluxe, Ford Del Rio Wagon, Ford Customline, Ford Custom, Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Crestline, Ford Courier, Ford Country, Ford Contour, Ford Club Wagon, Ford Club, Ford Bronco, Ford Aspire, and the Ford Aerostar.





Some commonly purchased Ford Car Parts include: the Alternator, Carpet, Coolant Tank, Door Handle and Door, Engine Parts, Exhaust Manifold, Fender Flare, Floor Mat, Grille, AC Compressor, A/C Condenser, Bumper, Catalytic Converters, Electrical Parts, Exhaust, Fender Flare, Fenders, Fuel Tank, and Ford Header Panel. Of special interest among Ford Car Parts are the Headlight, Fog Light, Corner Light, Clear Corner, Backup Light, and Altezza Lights. There are also the Signal Lights, Tail Light, Side Marker Light, Sealed Beam, Projector Headlight, and Parking Light.

About the Author:

Mark is webmaster for Ford Car Parts and Ford Focus Car Parts and also Ford Engines

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/are-ford-car-parts-easily-available-297917.html

Author: Mark Flanighan

Rent a Classic Car in Las Vegas

You can take the Deuce to hop around the major resorts in the Las Vegas Strip down to Fremont Street, or you may opt for the trolley, or better yet, just hail a taxi whenever you need to go to a particular Las Vegas venue. However, the most sensational ride that would definitely bear a mark on your Las Vegas experience would be to lease a custom built 1958 Corvette from one of the many classic car rentals in Las Vegas.

This baby will surely grab attention moving about on the Strip. But this is only an example of what you can actually drive around Las Vegas. As purposely mentioned earlier, there are a lot of classic car rentals in Vegas from which you can look for that ideal vintage car that you've always dreamed of driving. The smoothness and mere smell of leather upholstery, the wonders of a vintage convertible, and the elegance of a classic road machine will surely make your drive in Vegas unforgettable.



Of course, booking classic car rentals in Las Vegas is not only limited to tourists or first timers in Las Vegas. Classic car rentals in Vegas especially applies to couples, or even singles, who are vying to celebrate special events in a remarkably memorable style. Just imagine a tribute version of a 1934 Duesenberg or an authentic 1987 Rolls Royce Silver Spur limousine pulling up the driveway of a church or chapel to let a blooming bride make a classy and elegant entrance while the besotted groom interestingly watches the breathtaking scene.



Or if you want to surprise your significant other with an extra special birthday celebration packaged with stylish flair, then get your fingers busy looking for a vintage car from the classic car rentals in Las Vegas. And there is no missing in making mention of the fact that if you want to make your wedding anniversary extraordinary and memorable for your loved one, then leasing the tribute version of the 1965 AC Cobra would be most ideal. Of course, this is just giving you ideas of what great cars can be leased from these numerous classic car rentals in Vegas.



And you know what else is so great about these classic car rentals in Las Vegas? There are many ways in which you can rent the vehicle. You can opt to rent your desired vintage ride for several days, for 24 hours, or even for a five-hour period only.



Also, there actually some classic car rentals in Vegas that would let you drive the leased vehicle anywhere in the United States, so long as you won't mind paying the extra fees and perhaps insurances on top of their daily rates. Of course, that's limited to cruising around the United States without crossing the border to Mexico. The car rental would also require the vehicle to be picked up and returned in the lively city of Las Vegas.

About the Author:

Las Vegas Exotic Car Rentals: From 1928 to 2008 we have the LARGEST selection of Exotic, Classic and Luxury Rental Cars on the Strip! From Auburns to Packards, Voyager Classics Car Rentals has the largest selection of classics available for rent anywhere in Las Vegas.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-articles/rent-a-classic-car-in-las-vegas-540533.html

Author: Paul Fitzgerald

New Car Road Test – Go for a Test Drive Before Buying a Car

Are you planning to buy a brand new car this year? And you are already in dilemma which one to buy and which one not! Do not get confused. There are experts to guide choosing your new car. A car is worth buying if it passes the road test. So, the new car road test is a must before you actually buy it. It may happen that you are charmed by the look and features of the car that you have chosen. But the time you go for a road test you at once realize that the car is not made for you.

Where to go for a test drive:

It is wise to follow what the experts say while buying any kind of vehicle. Many of the cars for sale look like a new one. The best way to find out the truth is a test drive. A half-an hour test drive is sufficient to understand the condition of a car. Choose roads that have winding curves and rough surface. Highways are also a good option for test drives. Roads with frequent stop-and-go signals help to find out whether brakes are functioning properly or not.

What to check during test drive:

During test drive do not turn the music on as it will bar you from hearing noises made by the vehicle itself. Accelerate hard and take sharp but smooth turns. If there is problem in the car’s drive train or transmission then you will get a noisy drive. Modern diesel fueled automobiles do not make sound and give smoother ride. So, noise is an indication of problem in the vehicle. Take a couple of miles ride with and without the AC turned on to check the power drain.

Check the position of the steering wheel. See whether the seats are lighter and comfortable enough for you. Simplified dash board ensures easy operation. Use brake while driving at least 50mph to know the car’s emergency performance. If you are not driving a heavy vehicle then pressing clutch should not feel like working out at the gym. As you end your drive leave the motor running for a while and remove the oil-filler cap. Emission of white smoke is an indication of serious engine problem.

Choosing the right model:

It is not always that going for a hi-fi model will do. Your focus should be on purpose. You may have the money to buy a Ferrari or a Ford Mustang. But they are not a good choice for a traffic congested roads in a metro. Think about the condition of the roads where you are going to drive the car. If you need a car to pick your kids from school or drive down to your office every morning then a Ferrari will not do, although it has high speed and powerful engine. On the contrary, GMC trucks are heavy duty vehicles that are ideal for a family ride.

Now, you know the importance of road test and how to choose the right model. So, follow the tips to ensure the best buy. The more cars you take for test drive the easier it becomes for you to find the gem and weed out the lemons.

About the Author:

Ethan Williams is an automobile journalist. He writes car reviews and car buying guide; his favorite models are 2009 Ford Focus and 2009 Cadillac CTS. For latest car reviews, he recommends you to visit: www.caranddriver.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/new-car-road-test-go-for-a-test-drive-before-buying-a-car-721836.html

Author: Ethan Williams

A Car Buying Story, Part One: Why and What?

My recent decision to buy a car was not really a voluntary one. I had a small accident in which my almost 20 years old Honda Accord was promptly written off. With such an old car even a small bend and broken headlight is already too expensive to repair, so the insurance decided they better give me $1,500, which was actually a good deal. But it left me without a car.

So shopping for car was in order. This was certainly an undertaking given that I haven't been following up on cars at all for about 8 years since I bought Honda Accord. I like driving, and do like good cars, I even like fixing the cars to some extent, but I'm no real enthusiast. I don't read articles on cars; I don't buy auto magazines or go to auto shows. I also usually do not start a conversation about latest models and features. Similar to a presidential candidate who is seriously "on top of things" only during the campaign -- once elected, the interests and priorities change a bit.





Anyhow, I knew I had to do some extensive research in order to be happy about what I'm about to buy. So I did that, and the amount of new information I've gathered was even larger than I expected. You know, today's cars are completely different things than those from 15 or more years ago. Features that did not even exist before became my main focus and motivation.





I spent several days online, just reading whatever I could find. And good thing is that all the car makers have very comprehensive websites where you can find all the information you need including the prices. It actually turned out that the prices I got off of these websites matched perfectly what I got in the dealerships -- and that is with all the additions like taxes, AC fee, delivery fee, pre-delivery inspection fee (PDI) and such.





I also read other sources, mostly looking for experience of other people. There are a lot of good resources on the Internet, just do a search and you'll find whatever you're looking for -- there is so much out there. Some of them I found useful are:





Car Buying Tips: http://www.carbuyingtips.com





An excellent website with the world of information about every aspect of car buying process. It will save you some headaches too.





Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com





Sort of a "traditional" auto portal. Also covers all aspects of the topic -- from prices to safety. And, I've heard dealers refer to this site.





MSN Autos: http://autos.msn.com





Another general auto portal. I used it a lot when I was comparing specific features of different models -- it has a handy comparison little tool.





Automotive.com: http://www.automotive.com





Automobile: http://www.automobilemag.com





These two are also general portals, and I used them mostly to find specifications of older models including my Accord '89 for comparison with the new models.





After a few days I arrived to a set of features that I'd like to have:





New car





Or almost a new car. Before I had time to maintain and work on a car myself, but now, with the family and two small kids, I don't even have the time to think about the car, let alone do some work. And even having a good mechanic is not sufficient. With an old car, there is no mechanic that can guarantee anything -- you have to simply accept that you'll have unexpected problems. Before I was able to take that responsibility, but now, with a family and no time, I can't. So I needed not only a problem-free car, but also a concern-free car.





Make





I drove domestic, Japanese and German cars before, and thought I'm going to go with Japanese once more. I thought that would give me better probability of a hassle-free car for a good price. I did question this decision during the research, but in the end I stuck to it.





Safety





With the recent car accident I wanted safety above all. Even in a small accident like the one I had, you get to experience very strongly how utterly unprotected we all are on the road. You absolutely don't need a lot to get killed or injured. And nobody really has to make any mistake, let alone big mistake. One small, almost negligible thing happens, and there you are in a blaze of events ending with a crash.





The guy in front of me stopped short and I was fraction of a moment late to react and kicked him a bit. Not too much -- his car didn't suffer almost any damage except some scratches and dirt on the bumper. But then I started thinking "what if..." thoughts. It was fairly steep downhill, and if it were raining...! If there was a motorcycle in front of me instead of a mini van... If I was going faster and for some reason in a spur of the moment decided to avoid him by switching to other lane (full of cars)... If all of those things happened together... Even now when I think of those things, my stomach aches.





And then later while researching crash tests scores I watched official crash tests videos on the internet. Boy, I would recommend everyone to see at least one or two of those videos -- you'll get much more realistic picture about driving in a car. There are two organizations that perform crash tests and on their websites you'll find the safety information for many models:





National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA): http://www.safercar.gov





Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS): http://www.iihs.org





The information on these websites is very educative and complete. It contains the descriptions of the tests, the results for many models and the video clips. You can also find a lot of general info accumulated in the years of research in this area. For example -- what is the impact in front, side or rear crashes, how does impact differ for front and rear passengers, how to protect your children, the implications of increasing number of large vehicles (SUVs in particular) on the road (you better buy a bigger car yourself), etc.





The tests videos can also be found (even more of them) by doing a search on the web. A lot of them are posted on YouTube.





So I figured I wanted air bags -- not only front ones, but also side and particularly curtain ones that protect rear seat passengers. The side and curtain airbags are not mandatory and they are not standard equipment. Some of the models do not have them even as an option.





ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) was also a must -- I hate sudden stops, and if it's raining or snowing, ABS can help a lot.





Other safety features like active stability control, traction control, active head restraints, car body designed to absorb the impact were also very desirable.





In the end AWD (All Wheel Drive) was something to consider as well.





Space





This was a tricky one. I had controversial requirements. Most of the time we need a small city car -- going to work, driving small kids to school, shopping, etc. Only sometimes we'll go for a longer vacation trip when we need larger trunk. Only sometimes we'll have parents, relatives or friends visiting when we need at least enough space in the back for two car seats and one or more adults. Only sometimes I'll need to carry a piece of smaller furniture or such. So should I buy a minivan if 95% of the time it will practically be empty? Or should I buy a small car and not be able even to go for a picnic? This question is actually even now, after I bought the car, still unresolved. Time will show how well I did on this.





Convenience





I did not need or even want things like sun roof, leather seats, body collared and heated mirrors, spoilers and such. Even power this or that wasn't important to me although I've learned that these days a number of even basic models include power options to a good extent. So I figured, I'll accept it if I have to, what can I do.





Fuel Economy





Very important. Gas prices are going up and the oil wars are going on -- need say no more. And over the years that you own a car it adds up. It is actually an excellent idea to calculate the total cost of the car over a number of years (including gas, insurance and other maintenance costs) and use that figure when making the decision. So I wanted the best fuel economy possible -- another controversial requirement.





I was actually hoping I'll find a good diesel car, but in Canada there aren't many of those since we have pretty high emissions standards so some of the good diesel cars do not qualify. And that is too bad. I rented small VW Polo a few months ago in Europe, and drove 900 km with 1.5 tanks! By specs it spends 4L/100km!! That's a money saver. And it actually produces such a nice feeling of independence -- you drive and drive and drive, and then drive some more, and the tank is still full. So sweet!!





With all these requirements I set off to dealerships one nice weekend. I figured I'll just go to an auto mall, and browse. I figured later this was really not the best way to approach things. After a whole day of looking at cars and test driving them, you get pretty tired and they all look the same at the end of the day. And after doing that for two whole days I got sick of cars and didn't want to buy one at all! But on the other hand I did collect a lot of information, and got the first impressions about driving them. Then I let that settle for a while and in the meantime explored options of buying a used car, buying one down-south in US, or in a dealership far away from the city where I could get a better price. Then, of course, I also needed to figure out the best way to pay for the car. Boy, this all takes time. It's a full-time project. But in the end I had my options laid out and made a decision.





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Read the rest on following pages:





Part Two: How?





Part Three: Models and Makes





Part Four: The Dealers

About the Author:

Michael Thornessen is a typical car buyer that has recently spent some substantial time and effort researching the auto market.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/a-car-buying-story-part-one-why-and-what-227540.html

Author: Michael Thornessen

How to Check the Drive Belt

The drive belt in your car plays a minor part in the inner workings. There is nothing much to say about it really, except that it powers the air con, the water pump, power steering and brakes, and the alternator. And some other things too, but hey, nothing major, right? Anyway, if you hear a squeal from underneath the hood of your vehicle, then the law of averages dictates that it could be something to do with your drive belt. So let us flip that hood and have a look. In fact, even if you have not heard a squeak, it is a lot better to be safe than sorry, so join in.

You do not need to be a mechanic to check the drive belt of your car. This is good news, since if you are reading a guide on how to check a drive belt; you probably are not a very thoroughly trained mechanic. It will not even necessarily take long. You can do this every time you change your oil, to ensure the continued smooth running of things. But make sure the engine is switched off before inspecting anything in there, and if you are going anywhere near the fan make sure the engine has cooled completely before you touch it. Disconnect the fan completely, to make 100% sure it will not engage. Trust me, it is one of those things you want to be 100% sure about.

You are looking for deep cracks, splits and frayed edges in your drive belt. Or, more optimistically, you are looking for NONE of these things. If they do appear, it ids bad news and your drive belt will need replacing. If there are small cracks here and there it will not be a problem, but anything that looks like structural damage will need to be repaired or replaced. It is not something you want to risk leaving only for it to fail you when you need it. You are also looking for tension. This is a balance issue. Too loose and it will need tightening to avoid it slipping, too tight and it will need loosening so that it does not crack or snap. Just a light press on the middle or where the belt hangs above things, and if it goes down more than half an inch you will need to tighten it.

If it has any of the aforementioned major flaws, you will need to replace your drive belt. Remove the old one by first loosening it and then lifting it off, then take it to an auto parts store. There, they will be able to give you guidance on what kind of belt you need to replace it with, and how to do this. What you are looking for is a belt that is shorter than the one you are holding. The one you are holding has stretched with use. Buy one as long, or longer, and it will be coming loose before you have driven a thousand miles.

Have a fun and safe time on the road, and visit us to find the best deal on the insurance coverage you need. Get money-saving tips, free quotes for affordable auto insurance and helpful recommendations about your automobile policy at Auto Insurance Rates Direct today

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Levi_Quinn

By Levi Quinn

How to Change the Windshield Wiper Blades

How many times have you been sitting at the wheel of the car, and it starts to rain, you switch on your wipers and, as you look out through your windshield, you think "I am sure there used to be clear glass here. When did I replace it with a frosted window?" Even if it is not very often, the chances are that you have had underperforming windshield wipers at one point or another. If you have not been using your windshield wipers much recently, it is time to replace them. Bear with us, there is method to our madness.

If you have not been using your wipers recently it means that you have not needed to. This is, in all likelihood, because the weather has been sunny recently and you have had no need to brush aside the rain as it falls onto your car. Therefore, it is as good a time as any to be outside doing something that does not take very long at all. It also means that when that rain does start falling, you are not going to have the situation outlined above where everything goes blurry - because you replaced them when you did not need them. Clever, huh?

As with any replacement process, the first thing you need to do is get rid of the thing that needs to be replaced. Do this carefully, because the combination of metal and glass may be simply to die for in a new office building, but in a car windshield it tends to amount to a big crack in the eyeline of the driver. There is a tab on the underside of the wiper - while holding the wiper arm away from the shield, depress this tab and take the wiper off. Bingo. Now, while reaching for the new wiper, rest the wiper arm GENTLY touching the windshield. This will stop the wiper arm falling VIOLENTLY against the windshield and having the aforementioned smashy drawback.

Now comes the coup de grace - fitting the new wiper to the old arm. This may look like it is going to be difficult, and you may start to question whether in fact you need wipers. You do. Be brave, you are nearly there. Now, look at the wiper blade, where the attachment is to be made. See how one end of the plastic clip device is flat, and one is curved? Rotate the clip until the curved end is pointing towards the blade, and clasp the wiper wrong side up next to the wiper arm. See how the curve in the arm matches with the curved end of the clip? There you go!

Now that it is lined up, you need to drop the wiper on top of the wiper arm, and put the arm between the sides of the wiper, with the open end of the hook pointing towards the plastic clasp. Reposition the hook over the clip and pull up the wiper until they slide together. Pull that tight, so that everything snaps into place, and let down the wiper onto the windshield. Replicate what you have just done, and you have fitted your new wiper blades.

Are you putting off reviewing or changing your car insurance coverage? Visit our web site today at Auto Insurance Rates Direct for information on how to determine what coverage you need, then find it at a good price. Insure your whole family, including cheap car insurance for teenagers

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Levi_Quinn

By Levi Quinn