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Kyle's Corner
Buying an Automobile, SUV or Minivan – and Saving Money
By Kyle Busch
. This objective information source provides technical specifications for vehicles including the size, weight, engine horsepower, optional equipment and miles per gallon of fuel. If technical information is desired for a specific used vehicle, review the Consumer Reports issue that matches the vehicle's year (example: 1998 Toyota Avalon – consult the 1998 April issue of Consumer Reports).
After determining the type of automobile, SUV or minivan that satisfies your needs, it is worthwhile to consult Consumer Reports' frequency-of-repair information to identify specific vehicles that will likely have fewer future repairs. Regarding the frequency-of-repair information, if a vehicle of interest is six years old or less, consult the most recent April edition of Consumer Reports. If the vehicle is more than six years old, add five years to the vehicle's year and then consult that year's April issue of Consumer Reports.
Web discussion groups are also a good source of "from the street" information for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of specific vehicles.
It is a good idea to identify at least two or three used vehicles that meet your transportation needs. Then, instead of being in a position to only consider vehicle A, you will have the flexibility to consider vehicle A, B or C. This increases your ability to purchase a used vehicle that is in excellent condition at the best price.
In addition to becoming informed about particular vehicles, it is worthwhile to learn the approximate prices for vehicles of interest.
To obtain a general idea of vehicle prices,consult the current monthly edition of the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide