Shopping For a Used Car
23 June 1998
Shopping For a Used CarPARK RIDGE, N.J., June 23 -- There is probably nothing more intimidating in life than shopping for a used car. For the inexperienced used car buyer, there is a feeling of unease as he or she purchases what could be a bargain or a nightmare. Retailers in today's used car market boast about hassle-free pricing. But shoppers need more than hassle-free pricing to feel secure in their purchase. Hertz, a 20-year veteran in the retail car sales industry and the innovator of no-haggle pricing, offers six foolproof tips to aid the potential used-car buyer. * Ask to see maintenance records. Regular oil change intervals are very important. * Look at the brake pedal pad. Excessive wear on a lower mileage car could mean rough driving and hard braking. * Check under the car for freshly applied undercoating. Poorly repaired frame or under body damage could be hiding. * Check the wear on all four tires. Uneven wear might be the result of misalignment, worn parts, or hard driving that took its toll on the vehicle. * Take the car for a test drive, looking for smooth pick-up and ample power on hills. Also watch for a pulling to the left or right, indicating a misaligned vehicle, and blue smoke that signals burning oil. * Have the vehicle checked by an independent mechanic. Hertz, the world's largest car rental company, operates Car Sales facilities across the country, selling a wide selection of late-model vehicles at competitive, no-haggle prices. The cars come from Hertz' Rent-A-Car fleet and most feature complete maintenance records for the buyer's review. Remaining factory warranties, optional extended warranties at an additional cost, and a return policy based on customer satisfaction are available. Hertz recently opened its largest car sales facility in the nation in Raleigh, N.C. Situated on nine acres in the heart of the Raleigh-Durham Triangle region, the site features up to 300 high-quality used cars, most of which are 12-months old. The mix of vehicles available includes makes such as Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. In addition, the facility features touch-screen kiosks that allow customers to search Hertz' inventory, waiting rooms, and play areas for children so that parents may browse Hertz' lot. Hertz Car Sales has a location in your area. Sales Associates are available to walk buyers through the inspection process of a used car as well as offer explanations of what to look for during a test drive. For the location nearest you, call 1-800-654-3131.