The Citizen, 2005-04-14, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2005.
New car versus used car
You’re in the market for your first
car, but where do you begin the
search?
“The easiest way to start learning
about what’s available in the
marketplace is to check the Internet,”
says chartered accountant Charles
Seguin, of Mississauga.
“I would highly recommend a visit
to www.edmunds.com. It’s an
excellent site that details all aspects
of the retail process. It’s an
American site but the car buying
process on either side of the border
is virtually identical. This site will
help you determine if a used or new
car is best for you.”
“We used to say that if you bought
a used car you were buying someone
else’s problems. But cars are better
made today. Many people buy used
cars because they want a bigger car
with more options, or they want a
particular car but can’t afford this
year’s model. Many used car dealers
offer certified used cars that have
been reconditioned and provide
extended warranties,” advises
Seguin.
“If I were looking for a used car, I
would make sure that regular
maintenance was conducted on the
car. I would review the maintenance
history file that the owner kept,
which would include all repair
invoices, and I wouldn’t buy the car
if those records were not available,”
says Seguin.
“Don’t be afraid to ask to take the
used car to your favourite mechanic
for an inspection up on the hoist”
recommends chartered accountant
Zaheer Dossa, of Toronto. “It will
cost you a small amount but will be
worth it.”
“Your mechanic can listen to the
motor, check all the electrical
devices and will be able to pinpoint
any potential problems. Ask the
seller to accompany you if he’s
reluctant to let you take the car
alone.”
If you want to buy a new car,
Seguin suggests that you consult the
car manufacturers’ websites where
you can choose the options you want
and instantly determine the
cost.
Once you have an idea of what car
suits your needs, Dossa recommends
getting in touch with an insurance
brokei. “New cars tend to be more
expensive to insure than used, and
sportier vehicles are more expensive
to insure than sedans. You may be
surprised to learn that two-door cars
are more expensive to insure than
four-door cars. And some cars just
have bad safety track-records that
you’ll want to know about before
you start shopping,” says
Dossa.
“When you arrive on the sales lot,
you’re not obligated to deal with the
first salesperson that approaches
you. It’s important that you feel the
salesperson understands your needs.
When you take the car for a test
drive, keep in mind how you’ll be
using the car. You may not want to
take it for a spin on the highway if
you’re going to take city streets to
work. Pay careful attention to how it
manoeuvers. We all want to check
out the stereo but it’s probably a
better idea to tune your ears to any
unusual sounds.”
“When you decide to buy, the
dealership will outline the various
warranty options that will add to the
cost of the car. There are many to
choose from and they can get
expensive, so it’s a good idea to
research what you need ahead of
time,” advises Dossa.
For further information, contact a
chartered accountant.
- Brought to you by The Institute of
Chartered Accountants of Ontario.
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Front wheel versus rear wheel
This year, there is a resurgence of
vehicles being offered in rear-wheel
drive.
Since the 1970s, most cars were
built with front-wheel drive, so this
shift is a surprise for drivers. For
years, car enthusiasts have argued
over the merits and disadvantages of
both drive systems, leading many to
ask ... which is better?
Let’s get to the bottom of this
competition. To do so. it’s important
to understand how front-wheel drive
and rear-wheel drive differ.
DEFINITIONS
* Rear-wheel drive: A driving
system where the vehicle is pushed
by its rear wheels rather than pulled
by its front wheels. Its engine and
transmission are separate (rather
than combined in a transaxle).
* Front-wheel drive: A drive
system where the engine and
transaxle components apply the
driving force to the front wheels
rather than the rear wheels.
In lay terms, rear-wheel drive
vehicles use the back tires to push
the car along, while front-wheel
drive vehicles use the front tires to
pull the car along.
PROS/CONS
Each drive system has its share of
advantages and disadvantages:
Front-wheel drive
* Advantages: The main
advantage of front-wheel drive is
reduced cost. There are less parts
required in the manufacture and
installation of this type of system,
including no driveshaft or rear axle.
These cost savings are passed on to
the consumer.
Fewer parts also add up to reduced
vehicle weight. A lighter vehicle is
better on fuel economy, acceleration
and braking, among other things. In
addition, because the engine is
located over the front tires — the
drive wheels — it is said that traction
is improved. A missing driveshaft
and other rear axle mechanics free
up space in the back of the car. This
means more rear seating room and
cargo space in the trunk.
Disadvantages: The
disadvantages are mainly a decrease
in vehicle handling ability. With
more weight over the front of the
car, the back end tends to become
lighter. That could mean fishtailing
scenarios on icy roads. Also, the
front tires must bear all of the work,
operating with a finite amount of tire
grip. When some must be given up
for acceleration, other areas suffer,
such as cornering and steering.
Rear-wheel drive
* Advantages: The disadvantages
of front-wheel drive are the main
advantages of rear-wheel drive ...
increased vehicle handling. With
Continued on page 17
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