The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-02-07
FREE
WHEELING
Good Advice on
How to Buy a
Used Car

USED CAhS OOmeDOuy
ought to write a book on "How to
Buy a Used Car" but since no
such work is Immediately at hand,
we'll take, crack at it this week.
Actually, with the price of new
cars what they are, many wage
earners are turning to secondhand
cars for primary transportation
needs. And it's not bad idea, if
you go about it in the right way.
The right way meaning how not
to get stuck with a lemon.
Your average used car dealer is
a shrewd horsetrader. Most reput-
able statesmen back away from out
right dishonesty, but playing it
coy with customers unfamiliar
with auto nomenclature is his way
of making profit.
You're ahead Of him when you
know what to look for among the
lot full of cars he has to offer.
Browse around first until you
find the model you want. Then, as
a first step toward making a good
buy, check the mileage. It's no
secret that mileage indicated on the
speedometer may be gimmicked, so
have look elsewhere. Open the
hood and check the oil filter. Some
servicemen stamp mileage figures
on the filter when replacement
cartridges are installed. The lub-
rication sticker on the door is an
other familiar item to check. If
the mileage indicated is under
about $4,000, then all four tires
should be of the same make and
worn evenly. The spare will prob
ably have a little more rubber. AS
a final check, get inside the car,
close the doors and windows, and
breath deeply. Cars under 10000
miles have a characteristic "new
car" odor.
Now if your selection stacks up,
give it further test by starting
the engine. While running cold,
listen for sharp knocks, tapping
noises and any strange sounds. AS
the engine warns up, suspect
noises will disappear, so listen
carefully.
At operating temperature, have
someone jazz the engine and check
the exhaust pipe for smoke. Blue
smoke indicates oil pumping, poor
rings. Black smoke, carburetor
trouble.
Valves and carburetion are
probably in good condition if the
car picks up smoothly from about
10 miles an hour in high gear.
While you're on the road now,
select a deserted area and get roll
ing about 30-miles an hour. Inch
your hands away from the wheel
and note any sway or fishtailing.
Proper steering and wheel align
ment will keep the car dead ahead
for considerable distance.
Turn a corner and see if the
wheels return with no effort to
center. Listen for strange noises,
and take note of any unusual road
shock transmitted through the
steering assembly
The clutch should engage
smoothly and with no chatter. Test
it by pulling up the hand brake
firmly and pressing on the gas
pedal. The engine should promptly
stall.
Probably the best insurance of
all might be to spend, say, five
bucks sand have a competent me-
chanic give the car a professional
going over. He'll discover defects
you may have missed, or didn't
know about.
One final caution-never consi-
der used car suspected of having
been wrecked. Many such jobs are
skillfully rebuilt and offered for
sale with no mention of mishap
But several clues will help you to
avoid this type of lemon.
Bumped-out sheet metal panels,
no matter how professionally
done, will reflect wavy lines when
observed from a certain angle. Ex-
anime such surfaces with a criti-
cal eye.
Also check the hood fitting for
evidence of front-end damage.