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Worth the Wait

Nearly seven years ago, I made one of the most extravagant purchases of my life. After a couple of years of saving money, I bought a shiny new silver sedan. This beautiful car was fitted with a luxurious custom grill. For the first several months, I constantly looked at my stunning new car through the windows of my back door. My acquisition was definitely worth the wait. I’m glad I waited to save the money needed to make a cash purchase. Now, I can enjoy my car without having to worry about monthly payments. On this blog, you will learn how to shop for the best car for your budget. Enjoy the ride!

Worth the Wait

The Sale Of Flood-Damaged Cars Is On The Rise: Follow These Tips To Avoid Purchasing A Car That Moonlighted As A Boat

by Constance Bryant

Although hurricanes in the news are the main reason why people look for ways to spot flood-damaged cars, it's an important skill to learn no matter where you live. Heavy rains alone can cause major flooding in low-lying areas and unscrupulous sellers often try to sell flood-damaged used cars right after they are flooded and before the serious problems begin. The most serious issue resulting from flood damage is corrosion in the vehicle's electrical system; the floodwater causes the wires to corrode and eventually short out. However, these problems often do not appear until after several months of driving. When you are looking for pre-owned cars for sale, keep the following in mind when inspecting vehicles for potential purchase:

See If The Upholstery Has Recently Been Replaced

New upholstery in an old car is a big warning sign, especially if you are buying the vehicle from a private seller. A pre-owned car dealership may replace the upholstery if it is frayed or if the car was last owned by a smoker, but it is rare for a private seller to do so. Pay special attention if only the carpets were replaced and the seats were left untouched; this usually indicates that water intruded into the interior of the car but didn't rise to the level of the seats. In this case it may be unlikely that the car suffered corrosion of its electrical wiring; however, any amount of floodwater entering into the interior of a car can result in major rust damage and render the vehicle unsuitable for purchase.

Check These Areas For Debris From Floodwater

Many sellers who attempt to lie about their vehicle having flood damage will meticulously clean the interior of the car in order to remove debris and hide water lines. However, they usually miss a few areas: these include the area in the trunk under the spare tire, the wheel wells of the car and the seat track that allows the seat to slide forwards and backwards. Look for any debris in these areas that may have been carried in by floodwater. You also need to look for a water line, an area of discoloration delineating the portion of the vehicle that was submerged from the one that remained dry. One caveat here is that debris in the seat track does not always mean flood damage; it can be nearly impossible to remove all the sand and grit out of the track even with professional equipment. You will need to rely on a combination of factors to make a good guess about whether or not the car has been damaged in a flood.

Avoid Private Sellers And Purchase From A Reputable Dealership

The best way to avoid cars that have been flood-damaged is to buy from a reputable pre-owned car dealership; since it is so difficult to hide the fact that a car has been flood-damaged, reported to the insurance company and was written off as totaled, it requires some subterfuge in order to successfully pass off a flood-damaged car as being in good condition. Experienced dealers know the tricks and are not willing to risk their reputation on selling cars that are nearly guaranteed to experience severe problems with the electrical system in a few months. You are much more likely to accidentally purchase a flooded pre-owned car from a private seller who has nothing to lose by selling you a severely damaged vehicle.

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