Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/299622
Do a curbsiDe check. Particularly for used vehicles: look for rust and signs of excess wear – plus any signs that undisclosed repairs have been made (mismatched paint, slamming doors, gaps in metal seams). Request the maintenance records and look for evidence of past collisions or damage. run a vehicle information check. Manitoba Public Insurance, Carfax and CarProof reports will turn up liens, past insurance claims and accident history. You'll need the VIN number, found in the vehicle registration papers. take a test Drive. Get a feel for how the car performs in as many different driving scenarios as possible – from parallel parking to highway motoring. The drive should last between 30 and 45 minutes, and emulate the type of driving you plan to do. Feel for any pulling to one side, which might indicate misaligned wheels – and look for warning lights on the dashboard. Afterward, examine the exterior for signs of leaking and listen for strange sounds while the engine is still running. scrutinize the contract. If you're buying from a dealer, make certain that everything you negotiated with the sales- person is in writing – and double-check any extra costs, such as taxes and freight charges. Don't leave sections blank, and ensure that any changes are reflected on all copies of the agreement. Remember, a signed sales offer is a legal commitment to buy, so don't put pen to paper unless you're ready to drive those wheels off the lot. Don't be afraiD to walk away. If you think the seller is employing high- pressure or underhanded tactics – excessive stalling, outlandish promises, refusing to allow a test drive or inspection – take the high road out of there. You'll find the right set of wheels somewhere else. GP 52 g o i n g p l a c e s | S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 istock similar vehicles, as well as the Black Book and Gold Book values. Make a first offer that's 10 to 20 per cent lower than you're ultimately willing to pay, so that you have room to negotiate. Get an inspection. If you're buying used, this is the best investment you can make. Before you buy, take the vehicle to a CAA Approved Auto Repair Service location for a 201-point inspection – even if the seller has done his or her own inspection. If the inspection identifies required repairs, consider asking the seller to deduct the cost from the sale price, or split the difference. be practical. Sleek design and a wicked sound system are nice perks, but first figure out what you need – cargo space, all- wheel drive, power versus fuel efficiency and so on. Do this before you start shopping, set a budget and stick to it. Be sure to include all costs in your budget, including fuel, insurance, maintenance and repairs. know your stuff. From Consumer Reports to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-test rankings and CAA's Driving Cost calculator, all the info you need to find your ideal car and negotiate a good price is a mouse-click away. (See the Car-Shopping Resources sidebar.) Don't be afraiD to haGGle. On new cars, dealers normally mark up factory options between 15 and 20 per cent, while dealer-installed options can be marked up by even more. A reasonable offer would allow the dealer approximately half of the markup as profit. Keep an eye on extras, such as paint sealant or so-called "processing fees." Private used-car sellers tend to set asking prices high to leave room for negotiation. If you're buying privately, check out the asking prices of other analyze This A Beginner's Guide to Car-Buying Just got your licence? Parent of a new driver? Read on for tips on how to land the right vehicle for the right price by Matt Currie p52-53AnalyzeThis.indd 52 14-04-10 2:29 PM