Books @ Your Library
How to Make Your Car Last Forever by Call Number: 629.28 TORISBN: 9780760337967Publication Date: 2010-10-03
Magazines @ Your Library
- All libraries in the system carry the current issue of Consumer Reports Magazine, which tests specific new cars throughout the year.
- Check the Annual Buying Guide for specific makes and models and the Special Auto issue every April.
- The Main Library subscribes to Car and Driver which performs road tests. Check our Magazines A to Z.
- Access digital magazines via NCLive.org (requires library card). NCLive.org offers full-text access to articles from many magazines. Simply type in the subject of review + "review" (example: Mazda 2014 test).
Choosing a Car
When buying a car, spend some time researching the types of vehicles and features that you may be interested in. Compare the positives and negatives of each car type. Some factors to consider are pricing, safety, reliability, and your budget. From Edmunds.com, here is a list of questions to ask yourself when choosing a car:
- How many passengers do you need to carry?
- What type of driving do you do: highway, surface streets, off-road?
- Will you drive in ice and snow?
- Do you have a long commute and, because of that, is fuel economy important to you?
- Do you need all-wheel drive?
- What safety features are important to you?
- Do you need a lot of cargo capacity?
- Will you be using children's car seats?
- Will you be doing any towing?
- How much garage or parking space do you have?
Learn More
- Fuel EconomyThe official U. S. government source for fuel economy information.
- NCDOJ.gov: AutomobilesTips for buying a new car or for getting reliable car repairs. Learn what to look for to avoid buying a damaged used car, and what to do if a new car that turns out to be a lemon. There are also tips for leasing a car and what to look for in a car loan.
- Recalls.gov: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)Recall information for motor vehicles & related equipment, child safety seats, and tires.
Find Local Vehicles for Sale
Figure Out a Vehicle's Worth
NADA and Edmunds guides are also available at Main Library. Ask at the Reference Desk.
Avoid Vehicle Fraud
- Disclosing Car DamageWorried about buying a new car that may have been damaged in the past? Learn what sellers are required by law to disclose about damage to a car to be sold in North Carolina.
- Lemon LawThe North Carolina Lemon Law, also known as the New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act (N.C.G.S. 20-351), applies to new passenger cars, pick-up trucks, motorcycles and most vans bought in North Carolina. It requires manufacturers to repair defects that affect the use, value, or safety of a new motor vehicle within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first).
Check a Vehicle's History
- A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can be used to check a car's history, including if the vehicle has been stolen. Listed below are several websites that provide VIN checks. No one resource has a complete history, so check several sites. Do note some of these VIN checks are fee-based. Consider the fee and an examination by a mechanic money invested to keep you and your money safe.
- VinCheckA free VIN search site from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
- National Motor Vehicle Title Information SystemA Department of Justice program. To search NMVTIS to find important vehicle condition and history information, select one of the approved NMVTIS Data Providers on the page.
- AutoCheckA basic VIN search is free, but full reports are fee-based.
- CARFAXProvides a free lemon check and recall check. Most vehicle history reports are fee-based.
Maintaining Your Car
Auto Repair Manuals
Search our Catalog by Any Field for the make and model of your car to find repair manuals. For example, Toyota Corolla.
You can also try searching by Any Field for Chilton's or Haynes, the two major publishers of auto repair manuals.
Citation
Author: Gaston County Public Library
Title: Buying & Maintaining a Car
URL: https://gastonlibrary.libguides.com/consumer-information/buying-maintaining-cars
Revised: 10 August 2022