In this paper, I am will be comparing two sets of information about decisions to buy a used car. The first set is a Radio show "The Clark Howard Show," of November 25, 2014 and the second set of information is from Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles public library titled "Buying or Selling a Car." When buying a used car, it is important to do a thorough homework and the buyer should consider financial and legal aspects.
Clark Howard in his show, "how to buy a used car," explained that in a used car purchase the purchaser buys the "as is." Clark Howard explained the things to consider when buying a used car. These are: the financier (credit union, banks or even personal cash), the price of the car (prices can be sourced from databases), find out if the vehicle has been involved in any serious accident by checking the vehicle number, having the vehicle checked by an independent mechanic, getting information about the impacts of fuel efficiency mandates on the reliability of the car in question.
In the second set of information, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provide a guide to buyers of used cars. The article is quick to note that the market for used cars is growing fast due to increase in prices of new cars. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles advices the buyer to pay special attention to five things when considering to buy a used car. These are: visibility, safety features, comfort, ride and other items of importance. Apart from these things, the buyer should check the "recall record" of the vehicle, the price guide, financing options, where to buy (from dealers, private individuals and others) and the condition of the car both outside and inside and finally mechanical check by independent mechanic.
Any serious buyer of a used car is able to get a substantial information from Clark Howard show. Major strength is in the way that he refer the buyer to various databases to dig for information regarding the vehicle in question. For instance, he recommends the buyer to run the car’s VIN number through the CarFax.com to check if the vehicle has ever been involved in a serious accident. However, this information lack to offer the buyer a crucial piece of advice that is offered in the second information, the Odometer Fraud. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is a must for any used car buyer. Especially where it refer the buyer to various government bodies to get information about the vehicles. For example, N.A.D.A. (National Automotive Dealers Association) Official Used Car Guide--the price guide. However, the information does not advice the buyer about checking the reliability of the vehicle’s transmission system in meeting the federal mandates on fuel efficiency.
In my opinion, both pieces of information provide common advice and suggestions to second hand car buyers. For instance, both information advices the buyer to ensure that the vehicle when going to buy the car, the buyer should have a price guidance so that he or she is not mislead by the seller. Both of these information have provided the buyer with examples of places where they can get sample prices. Another area where they share exact advice is the buyer getting an independent mechanic to inspect the vehicle. The first piece of information from Clark Howard is a general information that should apply in all states while the second information is specifically for buyers in Florida, especially the legal areas. However, some of the rules contained in it are similarly general.
References
Howard, C., (2014). How To Buy A Used Car. Podcast retrieved from http://www.clarkhoward.com/usedcarguide
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, (2008). Buying or Selling a Car. Retrieved December 4, 2014 from http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/usedcar.html
