What To Look For When Buying Your First Car Today

He asked for service records. A car that had its oil changed every 5,000 miles was worth more to him than a shiny car with a mystery past. 3. The Test Drive "Silence"

As he walked the lot, his mind raced through the three "Golden Rules" he’d promised himself to follow. 1. The Reality Check: Needs vs. Wants what to look for when buying your first car

Armed with that info, Leo didn’t walk away. He negotiated $500 off the price. When he finally drove off the lot, he wasn’t just "hoping" the car was good; he knew it was. He asked for service records

He listened for clunks, squeaks, or a grinding "metal-on-metal" sound when braking. The Test Drive "Silence" As he walked the

He knelt down and looked at the undercarriage. A little surface wear was fine, but he was looking for structural "rot."

Leo didn’t buy it that day. He told the dealer he wanted a . He spent $150 to have an independent mechanic look it over. The mechanic found a small leak in the water pump—a $400 fix.

He found a silver hatchback that looked perfect. But instead of falling in love with the paint job, Leo became a detective.