How do you Evaluate Used Trucks?

By Amy Nutt

Purchasing any used vehicle comes with its share of risks. You never know if you are getting value for your money. When it comes to buying used trucks there are a number of steps that can be taken to ensure that you get a quality vehicle.

Evaluating a used truck can include the following:

There are a number of helpful internet sites designed to educate the consumer about specific used vehicles. For instance, Consumer Guide Automotive provides reliable information, reviews, and ratings on thousands of used cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans. Doing research beforehand can really help when selecting a used truck.

Read reviews about used trucks that include an evaluation of a truck's specifications. As well, there are many online sites that rank used vehicles which can be very helpful when selecting a used truck. Some makes and models are a better quality than others. You should find out which used trucks are the most reliable. Look for details about brakes and suspension, radiator and cooling system, and the gearbox and clutch.

You should request a vehicle history report. Auto dealership sites provide this type of information and used truck sales companies should also be able to provide you with the information. When dealing with a used truck dealership, make sure you know how much you are willing to spend. When calculating your budget, make sure you include insurance, registration fees, and any taxes you will have to pay.

Mileage is an important aspect of evaluating a used truck. Used trucks that average more than 12,000 miles per year are considered 'high mileage' vehicles. It is important to ask if the truck's accumulated mileage is from highway or urban driving. Town and city driving tend to cause more wear and tear on a truck.

The condition of the exterior of the vehicle is an important factor to consider. You should look for dents, scratches, paint touch ups, rust, and any extensive body work that has been done on the truck. Ask for a history of maintenance work that has been done on the truck. If new parts have been installed, make sure there is a warranty. Don't purchase a truck that has not been recently inspected.

Don't buy a specialty used truck. You want to make sure that your used truck is common so that you do not have any problems acquiring any used parts.

The mechanical features of a used truck are another aspect that should be considered. Stick shifts tend to be rougher on a cars engine and performance. As well, diesel fueled vehicles have motors that last longer than gasoline fueled engines. Make sure that you test-drive the truck at different speeds so that you get a feel for the quality of the engine, transmission, and breaks.

Incidental factors that affect the value of a used truck include how well certain features operate such as the air conditioning, heater, radio, seat belts, gear shift, and windows.

Look under the truck for fluid spots. A puddle of fluid can indicate there is a leak somewhere. Also, make sure that you look underneath to check for rusty pipes and mechanical devices.

Each year, more than a million used trucks are put on the market. The chances are that you will not have a problem finding a truck in your price rage. However, the key is to arm yourself with the right knowledge so that you don't get stuck with a lemon. - 21392

About the Author:

Find reputable car dealers Edmonton to buy with confidence. Buying used trucks Edmonton can be hassle free.

Car Insurance Advice for Young Drivers

By Tom Martens

One of the biggest days in any teen's life is the day they get their driver's license. But with that tiny piece of plastic arrive huge responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is auto insurance. Every newly licensed driver must arrange for adequate auto coverage.

Auto coverage for teenagers is very expensive. Teens are considered high-risk drivers because they are less experienced and have more accidents. You should not let that stop you from earning your diver's license, however. With a little planning, teens who drive can find ways to save money on their auto insurance premiums.

The first thing a teen driver needs to do is to get several quotes. These quotes should come from licensed insurance providers. Different companies define teenage risk in different ways, which means one company may charge you a lot while another company may only charge you a little. There is a lot of competition in the insurance trade, and an insurer who knows you are talking to a competitor, might, just might, be willing and able to offer you a lower premium. But you have to ask, and you have to be willing to negotiate. Fortunately, the Internet makes doing insurance research and shopping for premiums a lot easier than it used to be.

If you haven't already, look into taking basic driver education and/or defensive driving. Taking and passing these courses shows insurers that you are serious about driving safely. It allows them to rate your policy as a lower risk, and keeps your insurance costs down, usually about 10%. Talk to an agent about which courses are available to qualify you for a safe driver discounts.

Ask your agent if your company offers discounts to good students or students belonging to a club or organization. See if they extend a discount if your parents belong to a club or organization. Inquire about other possible discounts. This is where it's helpful to check on the net before you see your agent.

If your parents have additional insurance policies, such as home or life, see if they will ask the insurance provider to bundle the policies. Many providers often give big discounts to customers who purchase more than one insurance policy from them. Check to see if the insurance provider offers discounts for multiple drivers from the same household. This is another way to obtain great savings on your car insurance premiums.

You should be fully informed about insurance (and, usually, fully insured) before you take your driving test. You authorized insurance agent can answer any questions you have and make you get all the coverage you need. You will have to take some time to do your research, but the money you will save on your premiums will make the effort worthwhile. - 21392

About the Author:

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading car insurance portal.

Used Car Financing Tips

By Kermil J. Fogarth

Car dealerships have to sell cars so they must provide a source of financing to their customers. Loans will usually be provided on the spot to car purchasers and it is up to the customer to decide which of the various offers they wish to accept.

It doesn't matter if the cars are being sold from the showroom or the sales lot, the terms and rate of the loans being offered are usually fairly competitive between the various loan companies. The customer is always free to find another financier if not satisfied with what is being offered so there is a lot of competition between lenders for the business.

Loans for used cars are not as competitive as for new cars. Terms and rates are usually different from one company to the next as it is more up to their discretion.

The customer is advised to do some research before choosing a loan to find out what the going rate is. One should not grab the first loan offered just because the rate is low. There may be other companies offering better rates and or terms. One is well advised to check out all the possible financing and then apply for the used car loan that best suits the situation. Of course if no lender can beat the first low rate offered you can always take that offer.

It is possible to apply for a loan online or physically fill out the necessary papers. But one must first find out the terms and rate of the loan being applied for. Online research for current market loan rates is possible as well as directly asking the local lender. In this manner the borrower has an idea of prevailing rates available to him. One thing to keep in mind is the length of the loan repayment schedule.

There are online lenders who usually offer used car loans at a very low rate of interest, which comparatively is even lower than the rates offered by the banks. And moreover banks usually reject the applications of car loans if it is for a used car.

In order to get the best offer possible, the customer must completely research every possible offering and then choose the best one. - 21392

About the Author:

Before you buy a used car be sure to check Kermil J. Fogarth's excellent free information Cheap Car Sources, or Financing Your Car

Are Pocket Bikes Street Legal?

By Sean Goodwin

The miniature stature of a pocket bike is the biggest limitation that keeps most models from being street legal. Most bikes are lacking a few key features that would qualify it to be registered to be used on public roadways, although the specifics vary from state to state.

Smaller models don't really have much of a chance in becoming street legal simply because most bikes would be in a class with motorcycles. And according to the rules, the seat of a motorcycle must be at least 25 inches off the ground. A pocket bike obviously violates that simple test and raising the seat is not a viable mod for any bike.

In many cases, just riding a pocket bike out on the streets is considered reckless driving because of the sheer number of violations. The sum total of all the violations for riding a pocket bike in public could set you back as much as $2,000 in fines.

One other big feature that most bikes don't have is the rear indicator lights for night driving. This is in addition to the lack of rearview mirrors, horns, or signal lights for turns. These are the design restrictions that keep pocket bikes hobby vehicles to be driven on private grounds and off the streets.

All of these are essential requirements of vehicles to be street legal. Since they cannot be registered, the pocket bikes cannot have plates and unregistered vehicles cannot be operated on the public streets. Pocket bikes also cannot be insured, and with such small mufflers, there is a chance of violating noise pollution regulation in some areas.

Of course everything stated is based on general guidelines. There are models of pocket bikes that are larger than most mini bikes known as super bikes. These bikes come with headlights, break lights, turning signal lights, a speedometer, and a horn. And by many definitions these bikes can be street legal with minor modifications.

Firstly, these bikes would need rearview mirrors, which any bike shop would be happy to install for you. And second there are no brackets for the license plate, so just putting in some brackets for the license plate once your vehicle is registered and the bike is now street legal. It can be classified as either a motorcycle, or a homebuilt vehicle depending on the circumstances.

Once on the public streets, the rider will usually be required to follow safety regulations imposed on motorcycle riders. The vehicle will need to be insured and the rider will need a valid state driver's license and helmet. If the bike is classified as a motorcycle then a motorcycle license is required. If it is categorized with mopeds, then a regular driver's license will suffice. - 21392

About the Author:

Visit Pocket Bikes Guide for more information on pocket bike racing.

Mopeds Can Be a Great Alternative

By Mike Scott

In the realm of alternative transportation, it is hard to ignore the moped. A moped is essentially a bicycle-like with bearing two wheels at the back and one at the front. They can either be peddled and therefore powered by human strength or be powered by battery or gas.

Because of safety concerns, most mopeds are restricted to travel only around 50 mph. This is because in rough or uneven terrain, mopeds tend to tip over and this has been attributed to many serious injuries and even death. This has caused many governments especially in the United States to step in and issue legislation that governs their manufacture, sale and use.

Mopeds have become popular especially in the US. This is because they accrue several advantages. One is the fact that they can traverse difficult terrain. In the case where people are searching for something or somebody who has been reported lost, mopeds are usually used to get into places where travelling by car can be hazardous if not impossible. Take for instance in a case of a missing person. Mopeds have been known to play a crucial role in the search and retrieval of missing persons.

The cycle is actually an invention of one Derek Davis who thought to improve on the current styles of motor cycles and scooters. While his invention was received with mixed reactions and responses, the moped sensation created a significant buzz. In the UK, the technology was enhanced to create what we have today as the modern mopeds.

In the US, we see mopeds being used by adults and teens for recreational use. At beaches, the beach police uses them to drive through the beach and traverse large stretches of sand. This is because in this type of duty, the authorities need a way to move around slowly and also at relatively faster speeds without endangering people. The moped become the vehicle of choice for these types of assignments.

The military has also warmed up to mopeds. These are now used for military patrols in less dangerous areas especially where the terrain is not conducive to motor vehicles. That is why the US military has shipped thousands of mopeds to their troops stationed overseas.

The cycles also have a set of drawbacks. One of them is what we mentioned earlier. Mopeds, because of their overall design, tend to tip over easily especially if driven by an amateur who has not yet mastered the art of balance. Throw in uneven terrain and rocky territory and you have a disaster waiting to happen. Since mopeds have also become very popular with teens and the younger generation, they have been associated with numerous injuries and even deaths. This can resulted in the Federal Government stepping in to regulate their use and purchase.

Purchasing a moped is easy. They can be purchased at any motor cycle dealer. In places like the US, there are actually specialized moped dealers who sell nothing else. The Internet is also an excellent place to do market research before you make your purchase. - 21392

About the Author:

Author is writer and regular contributor to Motor Scooter Guide, a website with resources and information to help you find the right Yamaha Motor Scooter.