Guroo
Im buying my first car tomorrow.(A 2000 mustang v6) And I've been wanting to start learning about cars. Problem is i have no clue where to start. Any advice?
Answer
No1 Buy yourself a book called the Lemonade Book on cars bec it really is a great vehicle owners and car buyers eye opener and has vital info on many vehicles out there, plus always do a check on the Vin number so you know what the vehicles history is and in fact the seller at times will offer it to you or if you ask will supply or purchase one for you even.In fact in my area of Canada it's the sellers duty to buyer to buy the package for the seller and it's the law.
No2 Be sure to keep in mind that it takes at least 5 yrs for any vehicle manufactures to get the bugs out of any vehicles they make therefore don't buy models that haven't been on the market for at least 5 yrs.
No3 Be aware of vehicles that just seem to look too good on the outside or inside or the deal sounds too good bec sometimes sellers will shine a car right up or clean the inside so nice and when you go to open the hood the car looks terribly not kept up and 10 yrs older.
In fact the sellers is trying to make the rest of the vehicle look so nice that you don't pay attention to the things that they don't want you to notice.
But do keep in mind that some ppl only take care of thier vehicle's interior and outside bec all they care about is the appearance.Plus it goes the other way too some take great care in how the over all vehixcle runs and don't care much about the inside or outside of the car much therefore you've got crappy or mid class looking vehicles that maybe running 10 times better then the all dulled up vehicles on the roads too.
No4 Once you've found a vehicle you're interested in then research the yr , model and make , find out what are it's common faults via that book and even place a inquiry online here directed at the people who own and repair them , plus look online at the dealerships sites and look up factory recalls or customer news bulletins etc.Keep in mind that usaully if you see all shiny metals or bolts etc that means work has been done on that part of the vehicle so it be a good idea to have a under the hood pictorial or diagram outlining parts etc so you can compare your notes etc.
No5 When approaching the vehicle glance walk around the vehicle and try to see if you smell any gas etc and look under the car for any possible leaks , once you've test drived it try to park on a dry clean surface and do the check again.Once engine is running again go around the vehhicle to check for leaks or any gas scents , also check the color of the exhaust and it's smell lol.
If the exhaust fumes smell like gas or seem quite thick or dark or black or white get the vehicle fully checked by a mechanic and ask the sellers why the exhaust is like that too.Basically if the fumes smell like gas or smells funny or is all white or black exhaust fumes you could be looking at a basic full tune up or anything from basic to major exhaust work like catalytic converter or o2 sensor or even something as major as a blown gasket or a combination of them etc.
Dress accordinly if possible even bring a blanket with you so you can actually kneel or lay down to look under the vehicle or ask to see it up on a hoist but do this so you can look for rust and leaks etc.
No6 Check the list you made up while looking at the vehicle and don't be shy to ask questions of the seller , like why thier selling it or what did they repair on it , what should be repaired and do they keep any type of service records or history.
No7 Be sure that the major problems you've reasearched have already been repaired and keep a mental and written note on the things that haven't been done too.
No8 Look at the vehicle head to toe and check under the hood for any dark wet or moist marks, almost sometimes looking like muck bec they can be clean signs that oil etc has indeed been leaking or still is leaking.
Once the vehicle is cold started place you hand on the engine and feel for any heavy vibrations , if it has a bit mileage on the engine or needs a basic tune up then it vibtrating is very normal but if you hear any ticking sounds when knowing the oil level is right up especially then that could be the camshaft is worn and engine needs major work.Also keep in mind that dirty or low oil can cause these tapping noises but if knocking sounds then engine is more then likely no good.
Check the oil to see if it's too dark or mucky looking and rub it onto your fingers to see if any particles are in it, do the same with the transmission fluid once the engine is running and you've already shifted the gears once through too.If the oil is thick or mucky or really dark that could mean the vehicle wasn't well maintained , plus if the oil has any roughness in it as you rubbed it , walk away from the vehicle and don't buy a car from that seller ever.If the transmission fluid isn't redish pink or pink or is smelling like cigars be careful bec the transmission might be fried, but keep in mind that it might just need a new filter and transmission fluid .
Check the hoses over to see if any are really soft or look puffy and look for leaks while car is off, plus check the antifreeze for any discolourizations such as having oil in it bec it should be either greenishish or if it uses the new antifreeze it can even be pinkish.
Check the belts with the engine off visaully and also look at the pulleys when the vehicle is off and suddenly started to see if the belts are frayed or jump or wobble, also check the pulleys to see if they wobble or have any leaks along their shafts etc.Later start it up and look again visually , plus once you've given a good test drive look again too.
No9 Look for rusty areas under the hood and corruded wires or battery connectors etc bec those can be signs that the vehicle wasn't well maintained but also they can give you price bargaining chips too.
No10 When you start the vehicle up place your foot hard on the brake and shift from park through the gears see if anything is acting funny or strange , especially funny noises and see if the vehicle jumps or jerks once it's being shifted.Oviouslly if strange metalic grinding noises or noises like that that could be a sign the transmission is faulty , and if the vehicle jerks or jumps sort of that means the transmission mount is faulty.
No11 Have someone start it up and shift through the gears watch to see if the engine rocks or sways back and forth too much bec that is a sign engine mounts need replacing.
No12 Take any vehicle you've decided that you're very interested in to a reliable mechanic and pay the 60.00 or so bucks to give yourself a good solid piece of mind and again another bargaining chip.Plus if the seller won't let you do this especially a car sales agent , or they seem to be pushy or try to rush you as you rightfully check the vehicle over , then my advice be weary , cautious of the seller and walk away.
Hope that helps and best of luck.Oh by the way you know how they always say buyer be aware but if you do your homework it becomes seller be very aware of this smart , wise buyer lol
You know that it's sadly true that certain shops or sellers etc will try to take advantage over women or people that they think don't know anything about whatever their trying to sell them.My sister use to really get upset over that issue bec dealerships even tried to take advantage of her by selling her lemons and she protested against them until they finally came out and agreed to settle the complaints.Then over the yrs she got so frustrated that she learned about vehicles and now she really knows how to spot con artists or rip off shops or the incompitentso called professionals.
In fact it's kind of funny how some shops or vehicle sales people don't like her now lol all bec she's a women and knows what she is talking about when it comes to her vehicles etc.I too have noticed that even though I'm a man some shops etc don't like me bec of me knowing so much about vehicles.But then of course people that are knowledgeable about what their buying etc do piss some people off bec they can't scam them or try to pull wool over their eyes, hence the phrase" buyers be aware" .
Anyways best of luck in finding your vehicle and please keep in mind don't ever be in any rush to buy any vehicle always take your time , be patient and do your homework too lol
No1 Buy yourself a book called the Lemonade Book on cars bec it really is a great vehicle owners and car buyers eye opener and has vital info on many vehicles out there, plus always do a check on the Vin number so you know what the vehicles history is and in fact the seller at times will offer it to you or if you ask will supply or purchase one for you even.In fact in my area of Canada it's the sellers duty to buyer to buy the package for the seller and it's the law.
No2 Be sure to keep in mind that it takes at least 5 yrs for any vehicle manufactures to get the bugs out of any vehicles they make therefore don't buy models that haven't been on the market for at least 5 yrs.
No3 Be aware of vehicles that just seem to look too good on the outside or inside or the deal sounds too good bec sometimes sellers will shine a car right up or clean the inside so nice and when you go to open the hood the car looks terribly not kept up and 10 yrs older.
In fact the sellers is trying to make the rest of the vehicle look so nice that you don't pay attention to the things that they don't want you to notice.
But do keep in mind that some ppl only take care of thier vehicle's interior and outside bec all they care about is the appearance.Plus it goes the other way too some take great care in how the over all vehixcle runs and don't care much about the inside or outside of the car much therefore you've got crappy or mid class looking vehicles that maybe running 10 times better then the all dulled up vehicles on the roads too.
No4 Once you've found a vehicle you're interested in then research the yr , model and make , find out what are it's common faults via that book and even place a inquiry online here directed at the people who own and repair them , plus look online at the dealerships sites and look up factory recalls or customer news bulletins etc.Keep in mind that usaully if you see all shiny metals or bolts etc that means work has been done on that part of the vehicle so it be a good idea to have a under the hood pictorial or diagram outlining parts etc so you can compare your notes etc.
No5 When approaching the vehicle glance walk around the vehicle and try to see if you smell any gas etc and look under the car for any possible leaks , once you've test drived it try to park on a dry clean surface and do the check again.Once engine is running again go around the vehhicle to check for leaks or any gas scents , also check the color of the exhaust and it's smell lol.
If the exhaust fumes smell like gas or seem quite thick or dark or black or white get the vehicle fully checked by a mechanic and ask the sellers why the exhaust is like that too.Basically if the fumes smell like gas or smells funny or is all white or black exhaust fumes you could be looking at a basic full tune up or anything from basic to major exhaust work like catalytic converter or o2 sensor or even something as major as a blown gasket or a combination of them etc.
Dress accordinly if possible even bring a blanket with you so you can actually kneel or lay down to look under the vehicle or ask to see it up on a hoist but do this so you can look for rust and leaks etc.
No6 Check the list you made up while looking at the vehicle and don't be shy to ask questions of the seller , like why thier selling it or what did they repair on it , what should be repaired and do they keep any type of service records or history.
No7 Be sure that the major problems you've reasearched have already been repaired and keep a mental and written note on the things that haven't been done too.
No8 Look at the vehicle head to toe and check under the hood for any dark wet or moist marks, almost sometimes looking like muck bec they can be clean signs that oil etc has indeed been leaking or still is leaking.
Once the vehicle is cold started place you hand on the engine and feel for any heavy vibrations , if it has a bit mileage on the engine or needs a basic tune up then it vibtrating is very normal but if you hear any ticking sounds when knowing the oil level is right up especially then that could be the camshaft is worn and engine needs major work.Also keep in mind that dirty or low oil can cause these tapping noises but if knocking sounds then engine is more then likely no good.
Check the oil to see if it's too dark or mucky looking and rub it onto your fingers to see if any particles are in it, do the same with the transmission fluid once the engine is running and you've already shifted the gears once through too.If the oil is thick or mucky or really dark that could mean the vehicle wasn't well maintained , plus if the oil has any roughness in it as you rubbed it , walk away from the vehicle and don't buy a car from that seller ever.If the transmission fluid isn't redish pink or pink or is smelling like cigars be careful bec the transmission might be fried, but keep in mind that it might just need a new filter and transmission fluid .
Check the hoses over to see if any are really soft or look puffy and look for leaks while car is off, plus check the antifreeze for any discolourizations such as having oil in it bec it should be either greenishish or if it uses the new antifreeze it can even be pinkish.
Check the belts with the engine off visaully and also look at the pulleys when the vehicle is off and suddenly started to see if the belts are frayed or jump or wobble, also check the pulleys to see if they wobble or have any leaks along their shafts etc.Later start it up and look again visually , plus once you've given a good test drive look again too.
No9 Look for rusty areas under the hood and corruded wires or battery connectors etc bec those can be signs that the vehicle wasn't well maintained but also they can give you price bargaining chips too.
No10 When you start the vehicle up place your foot hard on the brake and shift from park through the gears see if anything is acting funny or strange , especially funny noises and see if the vehicle jumps or jerks once it's being shifted.Oviouslly if strange metalic grinding noises or noises like that that could be a sign the transmission is faulty , and if the vehicle jerks or jumps sort of that means the transmission mount is faulty.
No11 Have someone start it up and shift through the gears watch to see if the engine rocks or sways back and forth too much bec that is a sign engine mounts need replacing.
No12 Take any vehicle you've decided that you're very interested in to a reliable mechanic and pay the 60.00 or so bucks to give yourself a good solid piece of mind and again another bargaining chip.Plus if the seller won't let you do this especially a car sales agent , or they seem to be pushy or try to rush you as you rightfully check the vehicle over , then my advice be weary , cautious of the seller and walk away.
Hope that helps and best of luck.Oh by the way you know how they always say buyer be aware but if you do your homework it becomes seller be very aware of this smart , wise buyer lol
You know that it's sadly true that certain shops or sellers etc will try to take advantage over women or people that they think don't know anything about whatever their trying to sell them.My sister use to really get upset over that issue bec dealerships even tried to take advantage of her by selling her lemons and she protested against them until they finally came out and agreed to settle the complaints.Then over the yrs she got so frustrated that she learned about vehicles and now she really knows how to spot con artists or rip off shops or the incompitentso called professionals.
In fact it's kind of funny how some shops or vehicle sales people don't like her now lol all bec she's a women and knows what she is talking about when it comes to her vehicles etc.I too have noticed that even though I'm a man some shops etc don't like me bec of me knowing so much about vehicles.But then of course people that are knowledgeable about what their buying etc do piss some people off bec they can't scam them or try to pull wool over their eyes, hence the phrase" buyers be aware" .
Anyways best of luck in finding your vehicle and please keep in mind don't ever be in any rush to buy any vehicle always take your time , be patient and do your homework too lol
Need Help, Exhaust Info Anyone?
Cole
I have a '98 ford Escort ZX2 Sport/Turbo model and I was wondering how much would it cost to put a straight pipe on it to make it really loud. And if anyone knows what kind of engine chip could increase hp and for how much?
Answer
there is a web site that will sell you a chip,just enter performance chips for?as far as the exhaust,you still need a muffler and a cat.but if they make one,you want flow masters for exhaust,and K.&.N.for cold air intake.to help performance by increasing the exhaust,you must also in crease the intake side,as in the cold air.i don't know if they offer these products for your car.go to their web sites and get the information you need.
there is a web site that will sell you a chip,just enter performance chips for?as far as the exhaust,you still need a muffler and a cat.but if they make one,you want flow masters for exhaust,and K.&.N.for cold air intake.to help performance by increasing the exhaust,you must also in crease the intake side,as in the cold air.i don't know if they offer these products for your car.go to their web sites and get the information you need.
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