used cars - Cars, test drives, selection, and maintenance

Cars, test drives, selection, and maintenance

used cars

A collection of 16 posts

How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car Before You Buy It

How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car Before You Buy It

Every storm season, thousands of flood-damaged cars get dried out, detailed and re-titled somewhere quiet. Here's how to catch one before it catches you.

Cat S and Cat N Write-Off Cars: What the Damage Categories Actually Mean Before You Buy That Cheap Motor

Cat S and Cat N Write-Off Cars: What the Damage Categories Actually Mean Before You Buy That Cheap Motor

That cheap used car might be a write-off. Here's what Cat S and Cat N actually mean, how to check before you buy, and when the discount is worth it.

Buying a Used Car Without Getting Burned: What to Actually Check

Buying a Used Car Without Getting Burned: What to Actually Check

Which used cars age well, which rot from the inside, and the cold-engine driveway inspection that saves you thousands at the forecourt.

2026 Used Midsize Truck Buyer's Guide: Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Ranger vs Nissan Frontier

2026 Used Midsize Truck Buyer's Guide: Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Ranger vs Nissan Frontier

The used midsize truck market in 2026 has three clear tiers by price and capability. Here's how the Tacoma, Ranger, and Frontier stack up — and which one to buy depending on what you actually need it for.

Certified Pre-Owned in 2026: When the Manufacturer Warranty Is Worth the Premium and When You're Paying for a Sticker

Certified Pre-Owned in 2026: When the Manufacturer Warranty Is Worth the Premium and When You're Paying for a Sticker

The certified pre-owned pitch is built to make a nervous buyer feel safe. The car has been through a multi-point inspection, it carries a manufacturer-backed warranty, and you're buying from the franchise dealer rather than some bloke in a layby. For that peace of mind you pay a

Looking after a used car in 2026: the cheap maintenance that prevents expensive repairs

Looking after a used car in 2026: the cheap maintenance that prevents expensive repairs

Most big car bills start as small problems someone ignored. Here's the cheap, regular maintenance that keeps a used car reliable and saves you a fortune in repairs.

Used Truck Buying Window in Late Spring 2026: Why the Six-Year-Old F-150 and Silverado Market Just Quietly Bottomed

Used Truck Buying Window in Late Spring 2026: Why the Six-Year-Old F-150 and Silverado Market Just Quietly Bottomed

The used full-size pickup market just quietly bottomed. F-150 supercrew XLT 2020s now trade at $26,400 wholesale. The window to buy closes around July 1.

Detailing for Sale: How to Prep a Car for Private Buyers

Detailing for Sale: How to Prep a Car for Private Buyers

A $300 detail typically returns $1,500-1,800 at sale time. Here is how to prep a car to get that return.

Test Driving Tips: What to Look For in 20 Minutes

Test Driving Tips: What to Look For in 20 Minutes

Twenty minutes of test driving can reveal most serious used car problems, if you know what to look for.

VIN Lookup: What You Can and Can't Learn Before Buying

VIN Lookup: What You Can and Can't Learn Before Buying

A clean VIN report isn't a clean history. It's only what's been reported to Carfax.

Pre-Purchase Inspection: Why Every Used Car Needs One

Pre-Purchase Inspection: Why Every Used Car Needs One

Skipping a pre-purchase inspection is how buyers end up with transmission surprises and undisclosed frame damage.

Auto Loan Terms: Why 84-Month Financing Is Usually a Mistake

Auto Loan Terms: Why 84-Month Financing Is Usually a Mistake

Stretching a car loan to seven years saves on monthly payments but buries most buyers in negative equity within two years.

Private Party Sale: How to Sell Your Car for Maximum Value

Private Party Sale: How to Sell Your Car for Maximum Value

Selling a car privately takes more work than a trade-in but nets 15-25% more money. Here is the complete process from photo prep to receiving payment.

Used Car Inspection: What to Check Before a PPI

Used Car Inspection: What to Check Before a PPI

Before you spend $250 on a pre-purchase inspection, run this 30-minute check yourself. Half the cars I look at fail before I ever call a shop.

How to Buy a Used Car Without Getting Burned: Due Diligence Guide

How to Buy a Used Car Without Getting Burned: Due Diligence Guide

Most bad used-car purchases share the same five mistakes. Skip those and you can buy confidently even from strangers on Facebook Marketplace.

Best Used Sports Cars Under $30,000 in 2026: Fun Without the Depreciation Hit

Best Used Sports Cars Under $30,000 in 2026: Fun Without the Depreciation Hit

A used sports car at $30K can mean a Cayman that still feels brand new, or a money pit that eats a transmission every spring. Here is how to tell.