While many of us revel in restoration projects, others just want to buy their muscle car and enjoy it without having to put in too much work. But this practice doesn’t come without risks. Buying a used car requires doing your homework and carrying out proper investigations – especially when it comes to muscle cars.
Here are 5 specific things to look out for when you’re buying your new car – these 5 things will spare you a world of expensive headaches.
1. Learn to Spot Flooded Cars and Avoid Buying Them
You want to avoid buying a flooded car at all costs. And this is not just some random advice; flooded cars are far more common than you think, especially following the spectacular hurricanes that hit the US last year. When Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey swept across Texas, Florida, and Louisiana last year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles–both used and new–were flooded in their wake; and today, many of those cars are available for sale in different parts of the US.
To avoid buying a flooded car with undisclosed flood damage you want to:
- Pay attention to the carpets to look for the presence of mud; or even if the carpets are new in an otherwise old vehicle.
- Look out for a musty smell or stale odor, especially when the AC is running, since this would be an indicator that there was water in the interior of the vehicle.
- Inspect the headlights and interior lights for signs of water lines, fogging, and trapped moisture.
2. Pay Attention to the Bodywork
Inspect the bodywork to uncover any hidden problems. Keep an eye out for scratches, rusts, and dents. Sub-par repair usually leaves tell tale signs like misaligned panels and large gaps between fenders and doors.
Open and close the trunk, the hood, and the doors–especially the driver’s door; if they open and close loosely, then that is an indicator that the car has long been in use. You also want to inspect any rubber seals for wear and tear.
3. Follow Your Nose when You Inspect the Interior
How does the interior of the vehicle smell? Chain smoking and standing water can leave acrid or moldy smells behind and can be hard to remove. Check the ashtray or lighter for evidence of smoking, and the carpets for signs of standing water like mud and water stains.
While the foul odors of chainsmokers can eventually be removed and are relatively harmless, the acrid scents of water damage are indicators of greater damage.
Inspect the seats, roof, pedals, and instruments for any signs of wear and tear. Everything should be in working order, especially in a car that is touted as low mileage.
4. Look Under the Hood
Check for signs of rust or splattered oil stains across the engine and interior beneath the hood. Squeeze the rubber belts and hoses around the radiator and air conditioner, as well as other areas to make sure they are firm and supple rather than hard, mushy, or cracked. The radiator should also not sport greenish stains on the outside, since these are usually an indication of pinhole leaks.
Feel free to request the help of a mechanic if you feel the need for a professional opinion on the condition of the car’s interior.
5. Find out the Condition of The Vehicle’s Underside
If possible, slide underneath the car to look for any signs of oily leaks or red fluid on the engine and the pavement beneath. The presence of signs like this are not good; but to make sure you want to solicit the help of a trusted mechanic to do a professional examination before you commit to a purchase.
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