Articles

Guides & stories for smart used-vehicle buyers.

• Buying GuideUsed Car Red Flags: 11 Warning Signs of a Lemon
  The 11 warning signs that separate a solid used car from an expensive mistake.
• InspectionHow to Read a Used Car's Oil Like a Mechanic
  Your dipstick is a confession. Here's how to read what the last owner won't tell you.
• PaperworkUsed Car Title Mistakes That Cost Buyers Thousands
  The signing mistake that can void a title and leave you unable to drive the car you just paid for.
• StoryThe Bike He Waited 12 Years For
  Twelve years of wanting. A few hours' drive. One careful look that changed everything.
• StorySaturday in the Driveway
  Some of the best days happen with a wrench in your hand and the radio on.
• InspectionThe 20-Minute Used Car Test Drive Checklist
  The test drive is your single best chance to catch a hidden problem. Don't waste it.
• Buying GuideUsed Motorcycle Red Flags: 9 Warning Signs Before You Buy
  A bike wears its history in the open. Here's how to read it before you hand over any cash.
• InspectionHow to Inspect a Used Motorcycle: The 10-Step Pre-Purchase Checklist
  Most people who lose money on a used motorcycle do it in the first 20 minutes. Or rather, because they didn't spend 20 minutes looking.
• InspectionUsed Car Transmission Check: What to Feel, Hear, and Look For Before You Buy
  The transmission is one of the most expensive things that can go wrong. Here's how to check it before you hand over any money.
• Buying GuidePrivate Seller vs. Dealer: Which Is the Better Deal on a Used Car?
  Both have advantages. Both have landmines. Here's how to decide which is right for your situation.
• Buying GuideHow to Negotiate a Used Car Price Without Feeling Like a Pushover
  Most people leave money on the table because they don't know what to say. Here's exactly how to handle it.
• Buying GuideFirst Motorcycle: What New Riders Get Wrong When Buying Used
  The biggest mistake new riders make isn't stalling it. It's buying the wrong bike in the first place.
• Buying GuideHow to Run a Used Car VIN Check (And What It Won't Tell You)
  A clean history report does not mean a clean car. Here's what a VIN check actually tells you — and what it doesn't.
• StoryThe Toyota Supra MK4: Why the Legend Never Died
  There are fast cars, and then there are cars that changed what people thought was possible.