getting a car

[mapleleaf]

I am thinking of getting a car. there are so many kinds out there..i wondered if there were certain ones that are better? Better in terms of safety, in terms of being good with gas. I don’t have that much to spend-is there better places to look for used cars then others? I know I have heard that there can be used cars that have been in accidents and then are rebuilt, and they are not the safest? How do I make sure that the cars I get isnt like that?

[alijam]

My husband has always been the one who has bought the used cars for us so I will ask him for advice tonight. However I did find an intersting site that gives you "Ten Steps to Buying a Used Car" which I thought is very helpful. Have a look at :

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/78387/article.html

I'm sure some of the other mentors will also have some answers to your questions.

[alijam]

According to my husband the Japanese cars have been considered superior in the last ten years as far as reliability and customer satisfaction. When looking for a car dealership ask around and find out what past buyers have to say about certain dealerships. Also those dealerships that have been around for many years must be doing something right otherwise they would no longer be in business so consider them over the newer ones.

Apparently when you buy a used car from a dealership the law says they must give you a package of information that tells you about the car history. You are right about cars that have been in accidents. It is best to stay away from them. If you are buying a car from a private sale, make the deal conditional on having a trusted mechanic of your choice check it out first. You will have to pay for check but it is well worth it. Hope these tips help.

[bumblebee]

Before you decide whether you can afford a car, do look into one of its costs----insurance. This can be a substantial expense and will vary if you're male or female, whether you've completed a driving course or not. It may be cheaper in the long run to rent a car, or use one for certain occasions.

http://www.cheapcanadiancarinsurance.com/Understanding-Your-Policy/Explaining-Car-Insurance-Policies-to-Teen-age-Drivers.html

http://www.cheapcanadiancarinsurance.com/Insurance-By-Province/Ontario-Car-Insurance.html

Leasing vs Purchasing: http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/p/1256/leasing-vs-purchasing

[mapleleaf]

awesome! thanks so much for the help and the links.