Use more brain when buying a used muscle car
If you are in the market for a used muscle car, there are a few factors to be aware of and consider. You need to critically examine the exterior paint of the muscle car, its transmission, and its history as well.
A muscle car is a high performance automobile. American muscle cars are loved by drivers for the sheer power they generate and, yes, for their stunning beauty. The older the year of manufacture, the rarer and more exclusive your muscle car will be. From the Hudson Hornet to the 1957 Rambler Rebel, the 1970 Plymouth GTX 440, and more, a muscle car is an owner’s pride and a collector’s delight. Although there has been a decline in muscle car production in the 1990s, there has also been a revival of muscle cars from time to time. The last could be Dodge’s Charger model reintroduced in 2010 and again in 2011.
If you’re looking for a used muscle car for your love of original or financial limitations, there are a few factors to be aware of and consider. Some recommend that you should have some mechanical skills if you want to buy and own a muscle car. However, with a little deeper look, you can make an informed decision to buy or not to buy the vehicle. By “a little deeper look” it means all possibly available information about the car, including its VIN, transmission codes, rear end, paint, interior codes, age, number of owners, mileage, and any changes made, etc.
Go deeper than painting, unearth the past!
Naive shoppers are easily swayed by exterior paint, while a smart one is just where you start looking. There are really good paint job service providers that can easily leave you with the impression they want. You have to be more than a fan in such situations. Be like a jealous lover and dig up the past and the details of every minute. Be sure to get the VIN, or vehicle identification number. By knowing the VIN of the car, you can gain a wealth of the car’s history that can help you decide and better manage the entire purchase.
Get under the hood
If you have a good knowledge of the particular car model, get under the hood and check the engine, oil level and condition, leaks, engine noises, smoke, etc. You can also bring a friend who has a better idea in case you’re not so sure. Get into the car and inspect the interiors, including the seats, seat belts, doors, and trunk as well. Start the engine and check if the car transmission is still smooth. While you’re at it, take a look at the dashboard and also at all the gauges.
Check how long it has worked
It is also good to find out how many owners the car has served and how they have treated it. The mileage on the car will help you determine how far you can go in the future, you don’t want an overstuffed muscle car. However, while doing the math here, keep in mind that the mileage limit may differ from car to car. If changes have been made or parts have been replaced under the hood, find out what exactly it is and check if the modifications were done correctly.
Take it for a spin
Test driving is a good way to find out exactly how the muscle car behaves on the road. As you give it a spin, try to notice any suspicious signs with everything you come in contact with, such as acceleration, braking, and suspension, etc. If you are satisfied with all of them, proceed to the final stage of the deal – payment. If you’re buying the car directly from the owner, see if the price is negotiable. If you found the muscle car through online ads or on a list of affordable used car websites, see if the listed price, after vehicle analysis, is still practical. Decide keeping in mind that a bad judgment could put your money and your security at risk.