Yahoo Autos When You Buy an Ultra-Cheap Car, the Basic Rules of Used-Car Buying Still Apply
For the parts of the U.S. that get heavy snow, it's tradition to drive a cheap car through the winter. That way, when the salt rusts out the frame, or it gets hit by a snow plow, it's no big deal. Once the snow melts, you then pull your nice car out of storage and enjoy it until winter rolls around again.
But we'd caution you against driving something truly unreliable in winter, we understand the appeal of an ultra-cheap car. Just be careful. That $500 Jeep you saw on Craigslist might be tempting, but you still have to give it a thorough inspection. And remember, unless the seller offers you a written warranty, it doesn't come with one.
You'd think this would all be common sense. But as consumer protection attorney and R&T contributor Steve Lehto explains in his latest podcast, people regularly want to sue when their ultra-cheap car breaks down. As if the $500 price doesn't instantly signal that the car is far from showroom condition.
So buy your winter beaters. Enjoy them. Beat on them. But be sure to still thoroughly inspect them before you buy them. And be prepared for them to break down every now and then. After all, what did you think you were getting for $500?
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