Are You Considering Buying a New Vehicle?

We can help guide you select the perfect vehicle.

Buying a new vehicle can be a stressful time. There are many different factors to consider. What type of vehicle will best suit your needs? Which make is best value? Who has the best safety features? What is most reliable?

By servicing hundreds of vehicles every month, we quickly learn the good and bad points of different makes and models. Which are most reliable and give the least servicing problems. We are pleased to share this knowledge with our customers. We will discuss your requirements, your likes and dislikes and then we will steer you away from vehicles with poor reputations. Of course the final decision is yours, and personal taste has a major influence, but hopefully our input will help you make the right choice for greater reliability.

New Car Add-Ons

When you buy a new car you may be tempted to buy added extras like an alarm system, extra undercoating, etc. But, before you do, consider the following: recently we have had several customers come in with intermittent starting problems. We have traced them to faulty alarm systems that were installed after the car was built. In the majority of these cases, the company who installed the alarm and the alarm manufacturer is out of business. We had no way to repair the systems, so we had to remove them. If you buy a new car and you want to add an alarm system, buy the system made for the car by the maker.

When it comes to extra undercoating I do not think this is a good investment. Most new cars come with great body protection warranties. One popular national undercoating chain requires you to have yearly inspections to keep the warranty in place. Miss one and the warranty is void! We have one customer who had kept her vehicle for 16 years, faithfully going back to have her yearly checks. This year we found rust under the car and when she took it back, they came out with a lame excuse about a drain plug had not been removed to let out the water in the chassis.

Used Vehicles:

When buying a used vehicle you need to be even more cautious. First, we suggest, you make a short list of makes and models you like. Then talk to us so we can steer you away from any less reliable models. After you have selected the model you would like to own, test drive a number for comparison, making sure to check the air conditioning and all the accessories. We recommend that you test only Maryland Inspected vehicles. Having test driven a selection, pick your favorite and bring it to us for evaluation. Passing the Maryland Inspection may mean it is safe to drive, but does not guarantee that it will not need expensive repairs or maintenance in the near future! We will perform an extensive check, and give you our honest opinion of the vehicle, so that you can make an informed decision.
We will

Road test the vehicle
Check for vibrations
Oil burning
Transmission and clutch operation
Check steering
Check transmission, and drive train
Check all controls, including wipers/washers, dash lights, heater and air conditioner
Check tires for wear and tread
Check body for rust

Drive Line:
1. Check U joints, CV joints and boots
2. Check engine mounts, transmission mounts
3. Check transmission seals and differential seals and gaskets for leaks
5. Check condition of auto transmission fluid

Road Test:
1. Check speedometer
2. Check for oil burning
3. Check vibrations, steering, brakes, drive line, exhaust condition
4. Check transmission and clutch operation

Engine:
1. Electronic check- including starter and charging systems
2. Report on battery leads and condition
3. Check manifold for leaks and tighten, report missing bolts
4. Check heat riser, vacuum units and vacuum hoses
5. Check EGR operation, air pump systems
6. Check distributor vacuum unit
7. Check belts
8. Check hoses, radiator, water pump
9. Check distributor cap and leads
10. Check engine oil condition

Brakes:
1. Check master cylinder
2. Check hoses and lines
3. Check wheel cylinders and adjusters
4. Check shoes/pads
5. Check rotors/drums
6. Check hand brake cable and linkage
7. Check grease seals
8. Check operation of anti-lock brakes

Suspension:
1. Check shocks and struts
2. Check control arms
3. Check ‘A’ bushes
4. Check ball joints, trunions, king pin