Buying Guide: 8 Tips for Purchasing a Used Vehicle

 

According to automotive sales data, used car sales continue to be strong nationally. With more than seven million motorists on the road in Georgia, knowing the steps to buy the right pre-owned vehicle can lead to a longer car life and cleaner air for all.

It's important for consumers to do proper research to ensure their time and money are well spent in the car-buying process. 

To that end, Georgia’s Clean Air Force, in partnership with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), offers eight important tips to help motorists expertly choose a pre-owned car or truck.

• Set Guidelines. Before purchasing a pre-owned automobile, create a list of your specific needs, familiarize yourself with vehicles you’re interested in and establish a budget.
• Get a Free Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). Georgia’s Clean Air Force’s website provides a summary of the most recent vehicle inspection reports to inform motorists of the vehicle’s latest valid, passing emissions inspection: www.cleanairforce.com/motorists/vir-reprints/.
• Request a Carfax Report. Carfax reports provide the vehicle’s history, including whether the car has been involved in an accident or a range of other negative events.
• Research the Dealer. Before buying a pre-owned vehicle, make sure you know who you are purchasing from. By researching dealers, you can eliminate untrustworthy sellers or those with negative comments.
• Make Contact and Schedule a Test Drive. Calling the seller is a great way to verify the car’s information and schedule a test drive. A test drive can tell you if the car is the right make and model for you and provides further insight into its condition.
• Obtain a Pre-Purchase Inspection. Hire a trusted professional to perform a pre-purchase inspection.
• Complete an On-Board Diagnostic Test. An on-board diagnostic test determines what kind of repairs need to be performed on the vehicle. The test scans for codes that are linked to specific damage services and any preventative maintenance services.
• Factor in Location. Metro Atlanta has a 13-county emissions testing area that requires a passing test every year. Anyone residing outside of metro Atlanta’s 13-county emissions testing area are not required to provide a passing test at the time of sale, as 13-county sellers are required to.

Buying Guide: What's a Base Model?

 

If you have any experience with new-car shopping, you may have run across the term “base model.” If you’re not sure what that is, allow us to explain.

What Is a Base Model?

A base model refers to the most no-frills version of the car you are buying. While other versions, or trim levels, of the car might have more “goodies,” the base model is typically cheaper because it doesn’t have some of those amenities.

Think of it the same way you’d think of buying a pizza. The cheapest pie probably has cheese as its only topping. Want pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, and more? Then you’re moving up from the “base” model pizza to higher trim levels, with of course, a higher price tag.

In the market for a new car? View these tips for negotiating the best price.

Automakers usually designate the different trim levels of their vehicles with suffixes on their names. For example, the Kia Forte, a compact sedan, has five trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Live, GT, and EX. The FE is the base model of the Forte. Each of the other models has varying levels of advanced equipment and amenities.

Sometimes automakers use no suffix on the names of their base models, or, as is the case with the Mazda3, they offer a straightforward breakdown of the trim levels. The Mazda3 comes as a Base, Select, Preferred, or Premium model.  

Amenities on today’s vehicles include such wide-ranging features as larger, more powerful engines, heated and/or cooled seats, backup camera, and self-parking technology, among many others.

Base models can sometimes differ slightly in appearance from higher trim levels, with fewer design cues on the exterior or interior. Think regular headlights or taillights, as opposed to those with a fancy design. Or regular steel wheels, rather than higher-end alloys.

Get helpful information on how to buy a used car.

Base Model: To Buy or Not to Buy?

The biggest argument in favor of buying a base model, obviously, is the amount of money you save. If you don’t care about getting some of the amenities mentioned above, you’ll do fine with the base model.

However, the resale value of base model vehicles is lower than that of models higher up the trim level rankings. So if you think you’ll sell the vehicle or trade it in somewhere down the line, that might be something to think about.

With Spring and Summer Road Trip Season Approaching, Pay Attention to your Tires

 

As spring and summer road trip season approaches, one important area to pay attention to is the condition of your vehicle's tires. Here are a few tips for making sure your tires are up to par for your getaway.  Check Your Tires: The Coin Test – Honest Abe May Not Know What is Best for Today’s Drivers Consumers have long relied on the U.S. penny to check tire treadwear depth. If the top of Lincoln's head is obscured by the tread when the penny is inserted in the tread this indicates the tire is within legal tread depths and that tire’s ability to grip the road is not greatly reduced until the tread wears to 2/32 of an inch of remaining depth. This quick and easy test provides a general snapshot but may not paint a complete picture. Consumers often check tire tread depth using the penny test. If the top of President Abraham Lincoln's head is obscured by the tread then the tire has about 2/32 of an inch of remaining tread and technically is within legal tread depth to maintain grip in dry conditions. If you can see his head (above), it is time to replace your tires. However, the test may not work for all, especially those who frequently drive in wet conditions. On rain-soaked roads – a frightening hazard for many this year – experts recommend a minimum of 4/32 of an inch of tread depth.  A typical passenger car tire has about 20 square inches of total footprint surface and begins with about 1/3 of an inch of tread depth. While 2/32 of an inch of tread may be enough to maintain grip in dry conditions, the scenario changes with road conditions. Experts now say it's a good idea to replace tires when they reach 4/32 of an inch of remaining tread depth if rain and wet roads are a concern, and 5/32 of an inch for snow-covered roads. Tests have shown how shallow treads reduce wet braking traction, increase the risk of hydroplaning and increase stopping distances.  According to researchers, most street tires that have been properly stored and maintained have a useful service life between six to 10 years. If you aren't sure when your tires were installed, the manufacture date code is on the tire. It is the last four numbers in the DOT sequence. Ex. In this image 5122 indicates the tire was made in week 51 in year 2022.   Like Vacations, Nothing Lasts Forever, and Tires are no Exception Most motorists look at tread depth or miles driven as key indicators, yet few consider or monitor the age of their tires. In most cases tires will wear out before they age out. But with many logging fewer miles behind the wheel during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, experts recommend consumers consider age when checking their tire’s roadworthiness.   There are no definitive replacement age benchmarks because many factors – environmental and storage conditions, usage frequency, and tire care – can affect how slowly or quickly a tire ages. Despite manufacturers using anti-aging ingredients in tire rubber compounds, tires are perishable. The rubber loses elasticity and thus grip but may look perfectly acceptable and be devoid of the usual visual indicators such as cracks and chunking – where rubber sections break off. Age also affects the tires’ structural integrity, creating a potential hidden danger that could lead to the tire rubber separating from the inner layers of fabric plies and steel cords.   Experts say most street tires that have been properly stored and maintained have a useful service life between six and 10 years. Check your tires’ date of manufacture or your old receipts, as it might be time for replacement.  Content from Tirerack.com was used in this report

2023 Honda CR-V: A Leader among Compact SUVs

Long among the leaders in the now-ubiquitous compact SUV market, the Honda CR-V remains a strong choice in this category for the 2023 model year. 

The CR-V has, under the hood, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 190 horsepower and is linked to a continuously variable transmission. 

The standard drivetrain is front-wheel, with all-wheel an option. 

Fuel efficiency for the FWD model is rated at 28 mpg city, 34 highway by the EPA, with the AWD model rated at 27 and 32. 

The CR-V is featured in two trim levels, EX and EX-L. Honda also produces a hybrid CR-V model. 

With seating for five passengers, the CR-V has a surprisingly roomy interior. It offers cargo capacity of 76.5 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded down.

The CR-V provides a smooth ride and solid handling. 

Pricing for the CR-V starts at around $32,000 and ranges to about $36,000.

For a reliable compact SUV, the Honda CR-V continues to stand as a leading choice. 

Shopping for a Convertible? Check out these Tips

 

There’s nothing like the feeling of driving a convertible on a beautiful, sunny day on the open road with nothing but the sky above you. But along with the thrill of driving a droptop come concerns you should look into if you’re thinking about buying one of these fun machines, and notable among those concerns is the roof. The roof on a convertible is essentially just another moving part, and as we all know, moving parts can sometimes malfunction. So here are some things to think about if you’ve got your eye on a new or used droptop.

Roof Types

Convertibles come with either of two types of roofs: hard tops or soft tops. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at a few.

Hard Tops

For hard tops, the advantages include more secure protection for your car, against both the elements and vandalism. Simply put, a metal roof will provide toughness that a fabric roof cannot.

Another advantage, at least to some, is the appearance of the hard top roof. It looks much more seamless, and can often not easily be detected as a convertible. Soft tops are usually easy to spot because of the contrast in color and texture with the rest of the body of the car.

Additionally, hard tops cut down on the wind and road noise that are usually so present in soft tops. For many buyers, the quieter ride is worth the higher price tag that generally accompanies hard tops compared with soft tops.

Which brings us to the disadvantages.

Hard tops, because of the components and mechanical systems involved in their construction, almost always cost more. And because of those mechanical systems, if something malfunctions, they are more expensive to repair.   

Hard tops also weigh more than soft tops, which contributes to lower fuel efficiency and less nimbleness when it comes to performance driving. You can’t whip around twisty roads as deftly in a heavier car as you can in a lighter ride.

Finally, when you retract the roof of a hard top, it heads straight to the trunk, as there is no other area in a convertible that offers suitable storage space. That means no trunk space for luggage or groceries or any other cargo you want to haul.

Soft Tops

A key advantage of a soft top includes lower cost, because fabric is cheaper than metal and the more complex components found in hard tops.

If something goes wrong with a soft top, it’s usually easier and cheaper to fix, because the mechanical system isn’t as intricate.

And, some people like the contrasting look of a soft top, with the differentiating color and texture that easily identifies it as a convertible.

A key disadvantage of a soft top is the fact that since it’s a roof made of fabric, it can be subject to being damaged by someone with bad intentions. Even though the fabric is highly durable, if someone were to puncture it with a sharp object, they could cause significant damage, and gain access to any valuables stored inside your vehicle.

Another disadvantage is greater wind and road noise. The fabric top just can’t insulate you as effectively from the outside elements as a hard top can.

Other Things to Consider

In addition to malfunctions of the opening and closing mechanism of convertible roofs, understand that you might need to deal with leaks. Water intrusion can be a hassle, and it’s more likely to occur in a roof that has moving parts.

To test against this before you buy the car, consider hosing it down to see if you notice water dripping into the interior. While the individual seller or dealer might not be in favor of this type of test, if they’re confident the car is in good condition, and know that you’re a serious buyer, they should allow you to check it out.

Both hard tops and soft tops can be prone to leaks.

Also, as with anything mechanical, the opening and closing function of a convertible roof is subject to deterioration over time because of wear and tear. So, especially if you are considering buying a used convertible, be sure to check out the open/close function repeatedly to see if it operates smoothly.

It’s also a good idea to do some research on whichever model you’re considering to determine if it has a history of malfunctioning. Read consumer reviews, talk to mechanics and folks who have owned the model before to see what their experience was.

Overall

For many people, owning a convertible is a lifelong dream. If you are one of them, you don’t have to be too discouraged by the potential issues pointed out above. But it’s still a good idea to do your research on the make and model, and thoroughly test the individual car you’re thinking of buying. If you decide it’s worth making the leap, hopefully you’ll enjoy many years of driving fun under the sun.

2023 Toyota Camry: A Legend Just Keeps Getting Better

Long one of the most popular midsize sedans on the market, the 2023 version of the Toyota Camry shows why it is still one of the best values in the automotive world. 

With seating for five, the Camry features under the hood a 2.5-ltier four-cylinder engine that makes 203 horsepower and is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard drivetrain is front-wheel, with all-wheel available as an option. 

There are six trim levels: LE, SE, Nightshade, XLE, XSE and TRD.

The TRD, XLE, and XSE feature a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 301 horsepower with the same drivetrain. The 2.5L Camry is rated at a stellar 28 mpg city, 39 highway, according to EPA. The all-wheel drive model is rated at 25 and 34 mpg. 

If you opt for the XLE V6, fuel economy is rated and 22 and 33 and XSE V6 gets 22 and 32 mpg. 

The interior of the Camry is comfortable and well-appointed, so much so that it almost has a luxury-vehicle feel, without the price tag.

Driving dynamics are solid, not spectacular, but that's what most folks shopping in this segment are looking for. 

Pricing for the Camry starts at around $27,000 and ranges to around $37,000. 

As a legendary sedan that offers quality, reliability and good looks, the Camry is hard to beat.