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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-11-01, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1,2000. Questions best defense in buying used vehicles Many of you may be considering buying a used car, now or in the future. Asking the right questions, and getting some independent advice or an independent inspection can be the consumers’ best defence against ending up with a vehicle that has been in an accident, and poorly repaired. After an accident, cars are written off by an insurance company if the cost to repair would be higher than the value of the vehicle. The owner’s claim is settled by the insurance company and the vehicle is either sold to an auto recycling business or at an auction. As it stands now, many of these cars are bought, fixed up and then resold to either a dealership or to an unsuspecting consumer. You could be driving one of these cars and not even know it. “Insurance companies as a whole agree that once a car is written off for salvage, it should be indicated on the registration. Otherwise, at this point the vehicle’s history as a wreck disappears,” says David Campbell, national fraud manager. “We would like to see legislation that requires the ownership registration to specify that the vehicle was previously sal­ vaged in place.” At first inspection, the -car may have a nice finish, the doors fit well and it handles fine. But these exteri­ or features do not mean that it has a sound body. In fact, these vehicles are often dangerous. By dangerous, we mean situations where these cars have been known to break in half when they hit a large pothole or worse, crumble in an accident. Today, most cars use a unified body construction where the body and the frame are all one piece (rather than the traditional separate body and frame bolted together). Although difficult to measure until tested in a crash, the structural integrity of a car is changed once bent, straightened and welded. Severe damage to the frame makes restoration of the original strength very difficult and expensive. This provides the opportunity for some­ one to cut comers by just making cosmetic repairs. Right now, a wrecked car can be rebuilt and sold legally. Canadian provinces have no title separate from the registration, and therefore there is no way to trace a wrecked car. British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec have the toughest laws, but even they are fraught with loopholes and minor penalties, and none of them deal with vehicles that come from outside of their own province. So for most Canadians, there’s no way of finding out if a vehicle has been salvaged. Keep your eyes open for out-of- province identification - like a dealer sticker on the rear, a licence plate frame - revealing where the vehicle was once sold. To tell if a car may have been rebuilt, there are many telltale signs which can be spotted by a trained eye: • paint over-spray around the edges • paint on plastic panels, which was not originally painted • paint quality and checking door jambs, hood, etc., where most body shops do not bother to repaint • body panel surface ripples will appear if it’s been repaired • body panel fit - should be an even fit around each panel • trim on and around body should also fit properly and symmetrically • a good fit for the front grill and tail lights • door locks - key for one should fit all the other door locks - if not, might mean the lock cylinder or entire door has been replaced. • glass replacement is an indication of repair due to vandalism or crash. • tire and wheel match •trunk inside seams should be sym­ metrical • dash-to-window fit (normally there is no gap). Where to check: • on level ground • inside wheel wells • in engine compartment • in bottom of trunk • under body • doorjambs It’s not recommended that you look at it in the rain or at night as vis­ ability is poor. It’s a good idea to have a licensed technician check it over. A vehicle inspection service can be arranged through the Canadian Automobile Association at a nominal cost. Be very specific: tell him yoju want to verify what kinds of things you’re going to have to have repairs done for in the future; if the vehicle has been in an accident and damaged; that you want a complete mechanical report and want to ensure there are no problems. Consumers have made it clear to the insurance industry that they don’t want to pay for auto fraud. Because this crime goes mostly undetected, it’s difficult to put a dollar figure on the problem. So there is not only the potential of serious injury or the loss of lives, but it also ends up costing consumers through higher premi­ ums. - News Canada Discovering value of own car a commonly asked question “What’s my car worth?” is the most commonly asked question by car owners and the most difficult question answered by dealers. www.carcostcanada.com is con­ stantly asked to calculate what a cer­ tain used car would be worth if sold privately or traded in. Certain vehicles will sell for dif­ ferent parts of the country and at dif­ ferent times of the year. Condition, kilometers, options and even colour combinations are factors indeed which are subjective and can cause a difference of 20 - 30 per cent or more. Survey your local market for sim­ ilar vehicles and find out what deal­ ers and individuals are asking for them. Newer vehicles tend to be available mainly at new car dealers and older ones at independent deal­ ers and sold privately. With the dealers’ asking prices, deduct 25 - 30 per cent to account for negotiation room, reconditioning expenses, warranties, commissions, overhead and profit. The net result will give you a good idea of what they will offer you as a trade-in. The sales tax issue is also very important. Keep in mind that when you buy a new car and trade your car in, you only pay tax on the differ­ ence in most provinces. Effectively, this is like getting paid the PST and GST on your trade-in. For example, in Ontario where the PST is 8%, if your trade is worth $10,000, you would save $800.00 in PST and $700.00 in GST. This is like getting $11,500 for your trade. Selling your car privately, you may receive $12,000 -$13,000. After factoring in the cost of advertising, safety certification, emissions testing, etc., you may determine that the net result may not be worth the effort. As always, do your homework and ensure yourself a fair deal. - News Canada V) Q) Q a. io Q) C O X <b Q. O £ V) 0) c o X Cl you're looking for...Look to us! • Booster Cables 8 gauge, 12 feet starting at $20.00 • Antifreeze windshield antifreeze gas line antifreeze • Winter Windshield Wipers • Batteries • Snow Brushes Blyth 523-9681 Radfbrd Auto Brussels 887-9661 *17,950 *16,950 *15,450 *21,450 Q) Q C <7) V) 0) Q cl 2000 CHEV IMPALA - Fully loaded, 4 dr., V6, dark red metallic, only 29000 km., balance of factory warranty. *21,950 1999 CHEV LUMINA • Fully loaded, 4 dr. V6, auto, air, spotless, white, only 52000 km. Bal. of factory warr. *17,450 1999 CHEV MALIBU ■ Fully loaded, 4 dr.. V6. auto, air, cassette. Only 53000 km Balance of factory warranty. *16,950 1999 ALERO GL • Fully 'oaded, 4 dr., med. green, 22000 km., bal. of factory warr, economical, 4 cyl., a ;to. 1998 CHEV MALIBU LS - Fully loaded, 4 dr., V6, only 40000 km., bal. of factory warranty, tan metallic. 1998 CHEV LUMINA - Fully loaded, 4 dr., keyless entry. Deep blue metallic. Only 84000 km. 1 owner. 1997 OLDS AURORA - Fully loaded, 4 dr., luxury sport, pearl white, metallic, complete with leather & sunroof, 99000 km. Reduced to 1997 CHEV LUMINA • Fully loaded like new condition, deluxe interior, only 73000 km., aluminum wheels, spotless white. *14,450 1995 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME SL • Sporty, 4 dr., V6, auto, air, spoiler, fully loaded, spotless, blue, 135000 km. *10,950 1994 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM - 4 dr., 4 cyl., auto, air, AM/FM cass., cruise, tilt, only 101000 km., gold pkg., burgundy red metallic. ! 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE • 4 dr., fully loaded, excellent cond., luxury sport, 122000 km., keyless entry, green. ! 1993 OLDS CUTLASS CIERA - Fully loaded, 4 door, economical, V6, only 132000 km., blue, alum, wheels. ! 1993 FORD ESCORT LX WAGON - 4 cyl, auto, air, cass.( white, higher kms. but in excellent cond, fuel efficient. 1993 CHEV LUMINA - Fully loaded, V6, burgundy, air, cass, excellent condition, great fuel economy. 1993 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM - 4 dr, fully loaded, V6, is like new cond. Low kms, dark blue metallic, fuel efficient. 1992 BUICK REGAL CUSTOM ■ Fully loaded, 4 dr, V6, white, blue interior, only 121000 km, very economical. Reduced to 7,950 1992 OLDS 98 ELITE - Fully loaded, 4 dr, V6, keyless entry, power seats, spotless, full size luxury, blue metallic, 125000 km. Reduced to *9,950 1990 FORD CROWN VICTORIA • Loaded, small V8, rear drive, only 182000 km, air, cruise, tilt, p.w, cass. *4,950 11990 CHEV LUMINA - 4 dr, economical,V6, auto, air, red. 7,450 *9,950 *8,950 M,950 7,450 *9,950 *4,950 SERVICE SPECIALS Lube, Oil & Filter s24 95 10 Point inspection ■ 9 w V) CD C o X qT V) Q) C o Winterize - Test anti-freeze, check PH, lock deicer, washer fluid, inspect belts, hoses, wiper blades, washers, s — defrost operation, heater operation, tires & exhaust *9 » 95 2000 DODGE RAM 1500 • Auto, air, 3.9 V6, like new condition, cruise, tilt, black, only 11000 km, bal. of factory warr. 1999 VENTURE VAN - Silver, V6, auto, air, keyless entry, loaded, 33000 km, bal. of factory warranty. 1998 VENTURE VAN EXT - Fully loaded, V6, 7 passenger, dark grey metallic,only 72000 km. 1998 CHEV CHEYENNE EXT - Vortec 350, V8, auto, air, cruise, tilt, deep green metallic, only 47000 km. $19,950 *21,950 *18,950 *19,950 All certified cars & trucks include a minimum of 7 months/11000 km warranty, includes roadside assistance. *12,950 *16,950 *20,950 *13,950 h 4,950 *14,950 *12,950 *9,950 *8,950 *11,950 *8,950 7,950 *10,950 *8,950 No Drip Oil Coating *5990 Collision & Body Shop Service We Also Do Windshield Replacements *17,950 NEW 2001 CARS, TRUCKS AND MINI VANS *20,950 1998 F150 XLT • Spotless green/gold, 59000 km, 1 owner, V6, fully loaded, p.w, p.d.l, cass., box liner, balance of factory warranty. 1997 CHEV CHEYENNE 4X4-2 tone blue/sand, Vortec V8, auto, air, tow pkg., boards, like new cond., 108000 km. 1997 ASTRO CARGO VAN • V6, auto, white, 160000 km, looks and drives like new. 1997 GMC SIERRA SL • Vortec V6, auto, air, cruise, tilt, dark red metallic, 1-06000 km, aluminum wheels, box cover. *14,950 1997 CHEV CHEYENNE EXTRA CAB - Vortec 305, V8, air, cruise, tilt, cass., 2 tone blue/sand, 117000 km. *17,950 1997 GMC SL 4 x 4 - Vortec, V6, auto, air, cass., deluxe front appearance, real sharp, black, 1 owner. 1996 CHEV SILVERADO EXT CAB • 4x 4, Vortec 350 V8, fully loaded Z71, incl. leather sport bucket seats, green/pewter, only 123000 km. 1996 CHEV CHEYENNE 4x4- Auto, 4.3 Vortec V6, rear slider, box liner, cassette, 168000 km., green met. 1995 GMC SLE EXT CAB - Fully loaded 350 V8, long box, includes cover, spotless white, like new cond., 172000 km *16,950 1994 CHEV SILVERADO EXTENDED 2 WD - V8, auto air, loaded, topper, light blue, 177000 km. 1994 CHEV SLE EXTENDED 4X4- Fully loaded, 350, Z71, red/silver, complete new paint, 208000 km., buckets & console. 1994 CHEV CHEYENNE 3/4 TON • 350 V8, auto, air, white/blue interior. Ready for trailer tow. 1994 CHEV SILVERADO 3/4 TON 4 X 4 - 6.5 turbo diesel, loaded, 2 tone brown,beige, fully loaded, auto, air. Reduced to*14,950 1993 CHEV ASTRO CL - Fully loaded,8 pass., V6, 1 careful owner, spotless, silver, 121000 km 1993 CHEV PICKUP - 4.3L V6. 5 speed, AM/FM cassette, teal blue, low kms., box liner & rear sliding window. 1992 CHEV SCOTJ^JQ X 4 - V8. auto, air, med. blue metallic. OnlySMoff km, exc. condition. 1992 ASTRO CL EXTENDED - 4.3, V6, like new,dark red, 4 capt. chairs, 7 pass., fully loaded, 166000 km. 1992 GMC SLT EXTENDED VAN • Fully loaded, 4.3, V6, 7 pass., dark blue/silver, excellent condition, warranty included. 1992 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4 X 4 - V6, fully loaded, excellent cond., sand drift met. paint, certified & warranty included. 1991 CHEV BLAZER 4 X 4 - V6, auto, air, loaded, black, certified. & warranty included. Get ready for snow. j.l. McCutcheon Downtown BRUSSELS 887-6856 OR 1-888-351-9193 SEE US FOR NEW OR USED. WE SELL FOR LESS.