Used car dealers aren’t all made the same. While we often think they’re a little suspect, many are quite reputable. It doesn’t matter where you buy, because it really comes down to whether your car is road worthy. The best way to know what you may be purchasing is by taking it to a local repair shop. Plenty of high quality auto repair shops are available to help you assess your car.

When buying a used car, a pre-purchase inspection is a critical step. A licensed, third-party mechanic will give the vehicle a thorough inspection before the sale is made, notifying you of any hard-to-find problems that might make you think twice about buying. Buying a used car without a pre-purchase inspection is almost as bad as buying a car sight-unseen, since there may be hidden problems that you can’t detect on a test drive.

Want to save money by buying a used car, but find yourself hesitant about potentially winding up with a lemon? No sweat: there are a number of shops out there that specialize in examining used cars before purchase. Here are the best ones we’ve found in Arlington. Auto Stop Arlington Image Source Address: 3808 S. Four Mile Run Dr, Arlington, VA 22206 Phone Number: 703-382-2180 Specialty: Auto Care Website: https://tomsautostop.

When buying a used vehicle, it’s crucial that you get a pre-purchase inspection before signing anything. A pre-purchase inspection is performed by a qualified third-party mechanic, who will look for any needed repairs, unreported repairs, or other issues with the vehicle. Buying a used vehicle without getting a pre-purchase inspection isn’t much better than buying sight-unseen. Here’s a list of 8 pre-purchase inspection services in the Alexandria, Virginia area.

2018 Mazda MX-5 by Vauxford - CC-BY-SA-4.0 There are few experiences that are more pure than the feeling of rolling down the road with the wind whipping in your hair and your favorite song blasting on the radio. For those that love to really drive, a convertible is a must. Although they have lost their allure a bit in some recent years, there are still a great handful of convertibles that are designed to get your heart racing.

Sometimes bigger doesn’t mean better. There are a variety of smaller trucks on the market that can do most of the job that the big boys can do - and still fit in a parking space. Although they have waned in popularity, they’ve enjoyed a great resurgence in popularity for buyers looking for a “just big enough” truck for their families. This article will cover the best small trucks ranked based on their reliability, overall capability, and overall value.

2018 Subaru Impreza by EurovisionNim - CC BY-SA 4.0 If you live in a part of the country where winter is a stark reality for you every year, or you frequently go offroad or down dirt trails, an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle is hard to beat. The good news is that there are a lot of excellent deals on nearly-new SUVs if you know where to look. Whether you are looking for a more basic, compact car or a full-blown luxury machine, there’s an all-wheel-drive vehicle for every buyer.

Some quick statistics that might surprise you: 85.4% of vehicles purchased in America are financed. The average length of a car loan in America is 67 months. These staggering numbers coincide with the ever-rising price of the average new car as more and more Americans struggle to afford everything from higher rents to increased healthcare costs. This means longer loans, lower interest rates, and higher-priced vehicles. Pair that with taxes, fees, and depreciation and you may find yourself owing more on a car than what it’s worth.

The station wagon used to be the backbone of American motoring. Families would pile in, strap some luggage to the roof, and careen off on a vacation to Walley World. OK, maybe that’s the plot of National Lampoon’s Vacation - but still, the station wagon once occupied a coveted space in many American driveways. SUVs have all but killed the station wagon, but believe it or not, there are still plenty of fantastic station wagon options on sale today.

What’s more American than a truck? These “do it all, haul it all” vehicles have become the backbone of getting things done. Although new trucks can easily crest the $70,000 mark, you can find a great truck that will do everything you need it to do and more for far less money. Sure, you’ll give up some modern details, but the core of what a truck is and what it can do are the same regardless of fancy toys.