off topic... Black Lab & PaulMys (both of you being mechanics), any good tips on buying a used car other than checking the carfax, body lines, etc,?
OK, I'm sure I'm gonna leave stuff out but...CarFax only works if they report it. If you narrow down to a car you want, the best thing is to bring it to a mechanic you trust if possible. Otherwise, I always bring a scanner with to check for codes and if everything is running within spec. Look for leaks under the car, under the hood and run it on pavement. Some people show cars on grass to hide leaks. Check the oil. Smell for antifreeze under the hood. Check the antifreeze for color and oil contamination, and the level. Pull the trans dipstick and check that it's a reddish color usually, not dark brown. Smell the trans fluid. If it smells burnt, run away. I like to use a combustion leak tester. It checks for CO2 (engine exhaust) in the coolant which could be a bad head, head gasket, or cracked block. You should be able to rent one from a parts store. It's an easy test to do in the field.
Get down on the ground with a flashlight and check for rust, damage, etc. I almost bought a low mile Town Car until I looked under it and saw the rust creeping up the rockers. Drive it with radio off and listen for unusual noise from the suspension, differential, motor, etc.
Don't be pressured into anything! "Oh, it's just a 5 minute fix." Sure. Then why didn't you fix it already?
If you can bring someone with you, do it. I never go alone. I may be a mechanic, but I know better mechanics than me. They can catch stuff that I may miss. And finally, look the person in the eye and ask about the maintenance history of the car. If they're gonna lie to you, make them look you in the eyes.
