Posts from ‘Used Cars’
1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
Note: The following story was excerpted from the October 2020 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine.
The word “cheap” usually isn’t associated with the Mercedes-Benz SL. But we think the unexpected can make great cheap wheels, so let’s take a look at the 1990-1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SL and 1994-1998 SL500—all of which are unexpectedly affordable these days, even in very good condition.
By Jim Flammang
Judging by the promotional efforts of online “software platforms,” potential customers are eager to abandon traditional car dealerships and make their next vehicle purchase digitally. Instead of facing potentially pushy salespeople, younger shoppers in particular appear inclined to dash through the buying process hurriedly, using fingertips on a touchscreen.
How to Finance Your Car
By Jim Flammang
Paying cash for your next car? Don’t laugh. Quite a few families and individuals do, shunning the entire financing process. In fact, the number of shoppers who finance their vehicle has been declining.
Should I Buy a Car From CarMax?
By Jim Flammang
From a distance, a CarMax used-car store might not look much different from a traditional dealership. Most likely, its sales lot and showroom are positioned within a string of competitive auto retailers that operate much like their predecessors, half a century ago.
Test driving a new vehicle can be exciting, but be sure you stay focused and carefully examine all aspects of your potential purchase. This test drive checklist will help.
At Consumer Guide, our editors test hundreds of new vehicles every year. We evaluate them in a wide variety of conditions: daily commuting in the city, highway road trips, performance testing, and ferrying kids and family members, to name a few. In short, we strive to use each vehicle the way an owner would.
What is the Doc Fee?
You’ve probably been asked to pay it, but do you know what the doc fee covers?
One challenge new-car customers face is determining the veracity of certain fees and charges that may be added to the price of the vehicle being purchased.
Best Crossovers for $300 a Month
If you’re willing to live a little frugally, there are plenty of crossovers, new and used, available for around $300 a month.
Fact: Vehicles today are outfitted with more “stuff” than ever before. Standard safety equipment, sophisticated infotainment/connectivity systems, and a general desire for luxury features have combined to drive the average transaction price on new vehicles sold in the U.S. to almost $34,000. More sobering: The average transaction price on a new pickup comes in around $43,000.
One of the primary advantages of buying a new vehicle instead of a used car or truck is confidence—confidence that the vehicle you’re buying has not been neglected, abused, or in an accident, and is not otherwise prone to problems.
by Don Sikora II
Note: The following story was excerpted from the June 2017 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine.
The Renault 5 went on sale in France in 1972, but the car wasn’t available in America until 1976. The front-drive subcompact was 141.5 inches long and rode an average wheelbase of 95.2 inches. Yes, average wheelbase. The independent rear suspension used transversely mounted torsion bars, and for simplicity they were mounted one in front of the other. This resulted in the wheelbase on the left side of the car being 1.2 inches longer than on the right. Curb weight was 1819 pounds no matter what side the scale was on.
Volkswagen GTI
You just can’t bear the thought.
Whether you’re right out of college, replacing a car that’s given up the ghost, or adding a needed vehicle to your existing fleet, “Go with the flow” has never been your automotive mantra.
Of course, many cars are popular because they’re really good cars. “Really good,” that is, for everyone else. Cars Under $5000.
