From RX-7 to Elise: Lessons in Pre-Owned Car Buying w/Michael Chang | Ep. 12

January 7, 2024

In this “In the Garage” podcast episode, guest Michael Chang discusses the common mistakes people make when buying a used car and how to avoid them. Michael, drawing from his personal experiences with cars like the RX-7 and Lotus Elise, shares valuable tips for first-time car buyers and enthusiasts. The conversation includes how to conduct thorough research before purchasing, to specific checks like compression tests, inspecting oil caps for milky residue (indicating a blown head gasket), and assessing the paint thickness to identify repainting and repairs. Michael emphasizes the importance of not getting carried away by a seemingly great deal and doing proper due diligence to avoid costly mistakes.

TOPICS:
– Common mistakes in buying a used car.
– Importance of a compression test and other pre-purchase checks.
– Looking for signs of a blown head gasket.
– Checking paint thickness to identify repairs and repainting.
– The impact of track miles on a car’s condition.
– The risk of ignoring minor issues.
– The significance of service records and Carfax reports.
– Inspecting for signs of flooding and other hidden damages.
– Assessing wear and tear to estimate mileage accurately.
– The concept of a comprehensive checklist for car buying.

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