Ask AutoGuide

In the internet age, it’s quicker and easier than ever to gather loads of information on any pre-owned vehicle. The license plate lookup tool at Bumper.com is one information source worth looking into.

So you’re in the market for a used car. Congratulations. Whether trading up or acquiring your first car, car-shopping is one of life’s biggest milestones. After all, a car is likely the second-most-expensive thing you’ll buy in your life next to real estate. Whether you’re a veteran or shopping the market for the first time, here are some tips on what to look for when buying a used car, presented as a handy used car checklist.

Maybe your current car is worn out beyond justifiable repair. Maybe it just doesn’t suit your needs anymore. Maybe you’re looking to buy a car for the first time in your life. Maybe your kids have graduated college and you’re looking for a special ride to celebrate. Whatever the occasion, buying a car can often be both stress-filled and exciting. Here are some tips on how to buy a used car from a dealer or a private seller without getting taken for a ride.

The BMW 335i from the 3 Series family is easily one of the most revered non-M BMW cars in the enthusiast world. Armed with a turbocharged version of the quintessential 3.0-liter BMW straight-six, the 335i quickly rose through the ranks to be one of the most sought after semi-affordable high-performance cars of modern times.

Finding an auto repair shop you can trust takes a lot of hard work and patience. But successfully nabbing a talented and honest one is worth it.

Making the mistake of driving on under-inflated tires can prove to be more costly than you think.

A car that reeks of smoke smell and cigarettes can lead to a host of problems. Those issues can range from small inconveniences such as dealing with uncomfortable passengers in your vehicle to major ones such as consistent exposure to third-hand smoke, which can be dangerous to your health.

The 2018 Kia Stinger is very close to hitting dealerships nationwide.

The 2018 Kia Stinger is being released for sale in a couple weeks and word has been trickling out about its performance prowess and the incredible value it offers for the sports luxury segment.

Car ownership comes with the added responsibility of tire maintenance. Some owners are pretty good at keeping tabs on maintaining their tires, while others end up choosing the path of neglect.

Fast and expensive are two words that instantly come to mind when Lamborghini is mentioned. It’s no secret that these Italian exotics are expensive to maintain and insure, but how much does Lamborghini insurance actually cost?

Of all the modern driver assistance systems out there, none is more self-explanatory than hill descent control.

Uncertainty is a key source of stress in the used-car shopping process, and smart shoppers take effective steps to avoid it. Recently, we published this story on  how to test-drive a new car like a pro.

Ask AutoGuide, the internet’s premiere vehicular-advice column is back in business. But like a long-running Broadway musical you’d better act fast because this is strictly a limited-time engagement.

The large, rear-wheel-drive sedan is a uniquely American phenomenon. Like bison, they used to roam free across the continent in an enormous herd that couldn’t be numbered, not even with an industrial-size abacus. But just like their furry, hoofed counterparts these cars have all but disappeared, victims of that relentless and unstoppable force called progress.

Apparently family values matter. Conservative politicians tap-dance around these issues, pundits prognosticate about their demise and segments of the driving population make them a central issue when it’s time to purchase a new vehicle. Not surprisingly they play a starring role in this week’s installment of Ask AutoGuide.

Ask AutoGuide is our community outreach program. Drivers in need of car-buying assistance call on us and we respond with a helping hand, a kind word or a stern warning; if they’re lost we can provide a map and some direction. Usually we recommend sensible sedans, handy hatchbacks or miserly mini-models, but this week we get to have a little fun.

We’re thinking small on this week’s installment of Ask AutoGuide, where value reigns supreme. Are cheap and cheerful mutually exclusive traits or can they really coexist in an automobile? We aim to find out and help one faithful reader in the process.

Midsize sedans represent a massive slice of the automotive pie. These four-door cars almost single handedly (or wheely?) form the backbone of America’s personal transportation network, shuttling people practically everywhere they need and want to go. Yeah, they’re kind of a big deal, and as a salute to these hard-working automobiles they’re the subject of this week’s installment of Ask AutoGuide.

Whether they come in the form of a subcompact hatchback or a full-sized pickup, hybrids are some of the most technically advanced vehicles on the road today. Blending the best of internal combustion and electric propulsion these cars and trucks can save drivers major dollars at the filling station thanks to their Star Wars-grade technology that’s advanced enough to make Han Solo jealous. “Traveling through hyperspace ain’t like dusting crops, boy!”

GM has been working to revive its Cadillac division for a decade and a half. After much hard work and many billions of dollars things are really starting to fall into place instead of falling apart. They’ve transformed the brand from an also-ran into a genuine competitor to German luxury hegemony.

Unlike past installments of Ask AutoGuide we’re taking a moment to help one of our own this week. Don’t like it? Well then, how about you send us some car-buying questions then? How’s that sound? In any event road-test editor Mike Schlee could use a new ride. He’s the proud owner of a first-generation Mazda Miata that’s sitting just shy of 200,000 miles.

We hope you brought an appetite because luxury utility vehicles are on the menu this week, and the portion sizes are hard to believe. Hungry for more? Hit the jump and dig in.

Another week, another polar vortex descends from the north to pester America. What is this, winter? How come it’s so damn cold outside? But now you can beat the below-zero chills; let us invite you inside to warm the cockles of your heart with the temperate goodness of a helping hand.

Two’s company but three’s a crowd. More may be merrier in certain situations but undoubtedly not in every circumstance. Sure, having more flavors of ice cream to choose from or more paid vacation time is like hitting the jackpot at your local Native American tribal casino. Bingo was indeed his name-o.

Before trucks and utility vehicles became all the rage, large sedans used to be the heart of the American car market. They dominated thoroughfares and back roads of this country for decades. Big Buicks, mighty Mopars and forceful Fords were a way of life for drivers just half a lifetime ago.

If you’ve got a smartphone you know just how versatile these pocket computers are. They send and receive e-mail, allow you to cruise the internet and can even take pictures, to name but a few of their capabilities. They’re essentially real-life Tricorders from Star Trek.

Like Rolex watches, fine art or mega yachts, people aspire to own luxury automobiles. If they were both offered to you for free, chances are you’d pick a shiny new BMW 5 Series over a battle-scarred 1996 Plymouth Breeze every single time.

Crossovers are taking over the market. Buyers can get big ones, small ones, long ones and tall ones. They can opt for models with three rows of seats, all-wheel drive or in rare instances even manual transmissions. Like it or not these versatile vehicles are rapidly becoming the de-facto choice of drivers in America.

Congratulations, you’re all grown up! At this point in life you’ve probably made it through college with more than an associate’s degree in the field of interpretive dance; you’ve more than likely claimed a life partner that’s the opposite gender and of breeding age and, consequently, you’ve manufactured a genetic replica or two. You’re going places, and you need a suitable vehicle for this exciting new lifestyle.

Crossovers and family sedans make up a huge part of the automotive market. These sensible, everyday vehicles are safe, spacious and efficient; in short they’re perfect for families, be them planned or… not. But for all their merits these cars are about as much fun as counting grains of sugar in a five-pound bag.

Our regular Ask AutoGuide feature is all about helping distressed shoppers find the perfect vehicle, be it a cavernous crossover, a sensible sedan or something else entirely. Patrons send us a list of what they need and we get to work separating gold nuggets from gravel to generate a list of recommendations. But this week things are a little different. James forwarded us a message asking for guidance choosing between two different vehicles. Making things easy for us he’s done all the hard work, now all we have to do is share our opinion.

Another week, another opportunity to assist a struggling motorist; that’s what Ask AutoGuide is all about. Just like populist presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan we’re here for the people. Specifically, folks like Zach, who e-mailed us asking for help picking out a compact car.

God blessed Texas with His own hand

Brought down angles from the Promised Land

Gave ‘em a place where they could dance

If you want to see heaven, brother, here’s your chance…

Flight is an amazing thing. You can board a jet in Pittsburgh at breakfast time and dine on escargot in Paris for dinner. Never in human history has mankind been able to travel so quickly. It took Christopher Columbus months to cross the Atlantic, now we accomplish the same feat in as few as eight hours; the whole process is as routine as flipping on a light switch or cleaning up a murder scene.

Like Mariah Carey’s ancestry, modern crossover vehicles have unusual roots. The award-winning American singer’s family tree is more varied than the flora of a rainforest understory. Her unique blend of nationalities includes African, Venezuelan and Irish. That’s more ingredients than Belorussian variety sausage. Who’s hungry for some lean, finely textured opossum?

It’s a dangerous world out there. Buying a new vehicle has more perils and pitfalls than the Atari game of nearly the same name. Instead of swinging from vines or jumping over obstacles, car shoppers can skip the aerobic workout by simply visiting AutoGuide.com. We’re here to help and we’re glad to do it.

Crossovers are all about fuel efficiency and family functionality. They blend attributes of cars with traits of traditional SUVs to create vehicles that are neither fish nor fowl; they’re the undecided voter of the automotive world, essentially the state of Ohio. Is it going red? Will it be blue? One thing’s certain; it’ll never go to the Green Party.

You’ve been lusting after if for two long weeks, suffering for want of that which keeps you going. The withdrawal symptoms have probably been unbearable; we’d hazard to bet you’re shaking like a James Bond martini still in the mixer. You’ve been patiently waiting and finally we’re happy to oblige your carnal yearnings… but for God’s sake leave your trousers on!

It may not be perfect but the United States is a great country. America has her share of problems, both past and present, but for the most part this nation is pretty sweet; when it comes to being awesome we’ve done better than most.

The week is drawing to a close and while that can mean several things, most importantly (of course), it’s time for another installment of Ask AutoGuide, the information superhighway’s most exciting semi-regular feature. Beating the competition to market with mildly informative and generally accurate content is the name of the game. Our skilled geniuses are ready to spread their expertise like frosting on a sheet cake; just scoop it out of the tub and smear it all around.

Ah to be young again. AutoGuide’s nationally recognized, board-certified Oracles remember their youth vividly… it was terrible. People often say age is just a number and you’re only as old as you feel, unfortunately they were born wearing elastic-waist jeans and Science Olympiad fanny packs. Gingivitis arrived when they were in middle school.

It’s Friday and another work week is slowly…  drawing… to… a… close. Like Andrew Lloyd Webber’s epic musical CATS, this string of five days feels like it’s never going to end. At least people aren’t prancing around the AutoGuide offices in leotards and leg warmers. Meow!

Fuel economy… who needs it? Luggage capacity, rear-seat legroom, creature comforts, they’re more overrated than all the bacon memes on Facebook put together and raised to the power of Justin Bieber. That’s one hell of a confusing math problem, but it’s true. Needless add-ons and frou-frou features waste more time and energy than a month-long filibuster in the U.S. Senate. Anyone up for reading the phonebook?

Once upon a time the automotive market was radically different. Just a few decades ago things were much simpler for consumers than they are today. Unless they’re shopping for a new Tesla, buyers face a borderline-absurd number of choices when they walk into a typical dealer showroom. This is why we’re here. Ask AutoGuide’s expertly trained, nationally certified Oracles are ready, willing and usually able to help new-car shoppers in distress. Think of them as caped crusaders fighting for what’s right… as long as they don’t have to get up from their desks or change out of their Velcro Hush Puppies.

Last week was a lot like the British ocean liner Lusitania; it got sunk, but this time around it wasn’t the Kaiser’s fault. Instead of falling prey to a German U-Boat it was torpedoed by the New York Auto Show.

It’s hard to believe but this is the fourth installment of “Ask AutoGuide.” For an entire month now our certified experts have provided the finest motor-vehicle shopping advice available for the price. Our crack team of automotive oracles has been at our readers’ beck and call for 30 straight days, though admittedly it’s been mostly “beck” since they don’t have phones. We’re still trying to sort out the billing situation to get their Jitterbugs connected again.

Like veteran 911 operators AutoGuide’s expertly trained staff is here to help at anytime, day or night… as long as they can respond via e-mail and at their convenience. Ask AutoGuide is our newest weekly feature and it’s off like a prom dress.

“Ask AutoGuide!” is our newest feature. It debuted last week to copious fanfare and considerable tweeting. Its premiere was the internet equivalent of a ticker-tape parade but without the high-school ribbon dancers and mess of confetti.

Welcome to the first installment of “Ask AutoGuide!” a brand-new weekly feature where we help you find the right new car or truck. Think of it as internet community service, our way of giving back to the loyal people who share so much with us. Best of all the advice comes from the heart since it’s not court-ordered and we don’t have to check in with a parole officer.

Reading car reviews and comparisons is great, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could just ask an automotive expert what new car to buy? Now you can.