eHow Logomoney section
  • Saving & Spending
    • Budgeting
    • Banking
    • Credit
    • Cards
    • Loans
  • Real Estate
    • Buying a Home
    • Home Loans
    • Selling a Home
  • Careers
    • Career Advice
    • Land the Job
    • Work for Yourself
  • Your Business
    • Starting a Business
    • Managing Employees
    • Running a Business
  • Insurance
    • Insurance Basics
    • Auto Insurance
    • Life Insurance
  • Retirement
    • Get Started
    • Plan Ahead
    • Make It Last
  • More eHow
    • home
    • style
    • food
    • money
    • health
    • mom
    • tech
Featured:
Allergies
Grilling Guide
eHow Now Blog
  1. eHow
  2. Cars
  3. Buy a Car or Vehicle
  4. Certified Pre-Owned Cars

Certified Pre-Owned Cars

RSS
  • How to Paint With Mesh Over the Front

    Some cars have a mesh layer in place of a thicker grille or in addition to a grille on the front of the vehicle. This mesh front adds stylized interest to the vehicle and also protects some of the internal mechanisms of the car. Over time, this mesh can become chipped or rusty. You can quickly freshen the appearance of a car by painting the front mesh in a clean, bright color. Use a color that coordinates with the body of the car for professional-looking results.

  • Paint Inspection Techniques

    To guarantee customer satisfaction, and to avoid the expense of having to refinish a vehicle for a second time, body shop quality control (QC) experts carry out a series of stringent checks to make sure paintwork is up to standard. QC experts perform several visual checks and use special tools to make sure the paint thickness is correct and that edge-to-edge colors match.

  • What are the Differences Between Certified Pre-Owned & Extended Warranties?

    When you go into a used car dealership, you often have a choice between a certified car or a car with an extended warranty. A dealer offering a certified pre-owned car guarantees the car has been inspected thoroughly, all needed repairs have been performed and the car is in the best mechanical condition possible. A certified car costs more and is usually warranted for a period of time. A simple extended warranty does not guarantee a car has been inspected or repaired by the dealer; it simply means the dealer will warrant the car for a given period of time…

  • How to Make a Car Grill

    The grill of a car is one of its most noticeable features. It adds a touch of personality to the car, gives the vehicle a custom look, and also protects the engine from debris. Mesh grills are known to be one of the best ways to protect the engine. With the help of a few household tools, you can make your own mesh grill. Making your own mesh grill can prove to be more cost effective than purchasing a new one.

  • How to Make Your Own Truck Grill

    Making your own truck grill begins with a design concept. From there, you have the choice of a wide range of materials to suit your design. You may prefer the look of horizontal rails or diamond mesh in chrome, natural or a painted finish. Many older trucks have recessed headlights or turn signals that can be trimmed with the original rings. Newer truck grills are one-piece inserts that can be replaced with any type of self-venting material. Decide on a design and obtain the material to make your own truck grill.

  • How to Use an Endorsement for a Non-Owned Car

    Protecting a business or family's assets by owning comprehensive car insurance to cover all possibilities is an important risk management tool to minimize the risk for financial loss. Although some owner policies cover non-owner drivers in certain situations, it is best to plan for the exceptions to the rule to be safe. Non-owner auto coverage is generally added to the primary policy as an endorsement. Due to the high costs associated with car accidents, it is critical to understand the extent of your risk as a driver. When you factor in the possibility for physical injuries, the costs can soar.

  • How to Make a Roof Rack Mount

    Two types of racks exist that allow you to transport bulky items on top of your car. The most common type of rack is a luggage rack. As you might guess, this rack is mainly used to transport luggage. A second, less common alternative is a roof rack. This rack attaches to a luggage rack and is used to transport items that aren't bulky but are too long to fit inside the vehicle, such as a pair or skies.

  • DIY Car Roof Top Rack

    Most SUVs come with a luggage rack installed on the top of the vehicle. The luggage rack is made up of two bars, and is designed to allow you to throw luggage on the top of your vehicle and bungee it down. A roof rack is a specialty rack that hooks up to a luggage rack and is designed for transporting items such as skis, as most skis are too long to fit inside the vehicle. While an average roof rack costs $600, you can save the money and do it yourself.

  • DIY: Magnetic Stickers for a Car

    People love to express their personality, share their hobbies, or celebrate their favorite sports team through magnetic car stickers. It is also becoming common for businesses to use car magnets as moving billboards. While stickers and decals for popular sports teams can be found at a large number of retailers -- perhaps you have a lesser-known hobby -- or an expression that you would like to display. It's easy to make your own magnetic car stickers, with some software and art supplies.

  • Safety Standards for Automotive Lifts

    Automotive lifts, which elevate cars in garages, cause thousands of injuries in the United States each year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Safe operation standards are key to avoiding injuries from automotive lifts.

  • Homemade Mesh Grills

    Mesh grills are a way of customizing a car and adding a personal touch to its aesthetics. Though they are often found on show cars and race cars, they can also be added to cars driven daily. Grills can make the front-end of the car stand out, but they can also protect the engine from road debris when driving. You can make your own mesh grill with few household items, which can be more cost-effective than purchasing a new mesh grill. This also allows for an added custom look using a paint color of your choice and primer.

  • How to Find a Pre-Owned Chevrolet Suburban for Sale

    The Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV and one of Chevrolet's oldest models still being sold. Originally used primarily as a farm or work vehicle, in recent years it has become a popular family vehicle, especially for large families in need of a third row of seats or extra cargo room. This popularity makes finding a pre-owned Chevrolet Suburban for sale fairly easy.

  • How to Build Your Own Custom Car Interior

    It's important to make your car's interior look just as cool as the exterior. Usually, people tend to spend a lot of money taking care of the auto's exterior and the interior tends to get neglected. The interior should fit your style and personality. Given that there are many options these days, you can personalize each item from seats to dash and steering wheel cover.

  • How to Analyze Car Ads

    Vehicle advertisements on the radio, television, online and in the newspaper all claim to have the perfect car for your budget. Television and radio ads often feature quick-speaking announcers who simply cannot wait to give you a deal on a new vehicle while print ads boast that the price "won't last long." The goal of these advertisements is to excite you and convince you that if you don't move quickly to purchase the vehicle, someone else will. By properly analyzing the information car ads provide, you can discover if the vehicle in question is a good buy or a financial…

  • How to Search for Pre-Owned Cars

    If you're in the market for a pre-owned car, you can find plenty to choose from. You can do most of your searching and shopping from the comfort of your own home, as the Internet is a major advertising source for sellers. Whether you want to buy from a private seller or a dealership, you can find competitive pricing and talk to sellers without having to drive around.

  • Rhode Island Auto Inspection Stations

    The registration and regular inspection of vehicles is one of the facets of car ownership in America. For Rhode Island drivers, vehicles must pass a routine inspection, including emissions testing, every two years in order to keep their vehicle on the road. Throughout the state, there are numerous independently-owned inspection stations that can help drivers receive an official inspection and get their vehicles back on the road.

  • Mercedes Pre-Owned Lease Options

    For some people, driving a Mercedes-Benz symbolizes class and affluence. For others, it simply means driving an automobile make that's recognized for safety and style. Whatever your motivation for considering leasing a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz, information is available to help you understand your options before you go to the dealership. Mercedes-Benz offers several options for its First Class Lease program on pre-owned cars.

  • How to Find Out Who Owns a Car by a VIN Number

    If you want to find out who owns a vehicle, you can find out some information using the vehicle identification number (VIN). Information about who owns a vehicle is protected by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act; if you want to receive ownership information about a particular vehicle then you must have a valid reason for obtaining the information. Examples of valid reasons include vehicle theft or transfer of ownership into your name. You may also be able to obtain driver information in connection with an accident.

  • How to Buy a Pre-Owned 2007 Toyota Prius

    Purchasing a pre-owned automobile can be a great way to save money or get a starter car for a teenager. According to Cars.com, "you avoid the high up-front 20 to 40 percent depreciation cost the original new-car buyer suffered in the first two to three years of ownership." Buying a pre-owned car can be tricky, as used cars can come with a lot of technical problems, but with the proper research and the knowledge, you can find a good used car that will run well for years.

  • How to Sell Auto Concept Ideas

    From the inception of the car industry until now, many dream cars, or concept automobiles, have graced showrooms every year at automobile shows, such as the Detroit Auto Show. Some car models, such as the Chevrolet Volt or the Buick LeSabre dream car from 1951, have succeeded into becoming production models. Others, such as the Forbes Magazine example of the 2003 Cadillac Sixteen, have not. In any event, concept cars are just that: one designer's idea of what consumers will be driving in the future. They are a reflection of creativity and imagination.

  • How to Buy a Pre-Owned Car

    A pre-owned car, also called a used or secondhand car, is a car that has been previously owned by someone else. Buying a used car is sometimes the best and cheapest way to own a vehicle. Used cars are sold in many different ways, including through a brand-name dealership (for example, Honda, Toyota, BMW, etc.), an independent dealership or a private party.

  • How to Become ASE 609 Certified

    The ASE was established in 1972 as an independent certification agency for mechanics to provide consumers with a means of determining if a mechanic is qualified. The ASE offers over 40 different certification exams in different mechanical specialties. Beginning in 1993, the Environmental Protection Agency began requiring all mechanics servicing air conditioning systems in motor vehicles to become ASE 609 certified, indicating competence in the proper environmental handling of refrigerant. As of 2010, ASE 609 certification is available online for a fee of $15.

  • How to Make Your Own Car Ski Rack

    While commercial ski racks have many extras, their core component fulfills the same need as a do-it-yourself version: To transport skis without them being damaged. If your car has a luggage rack and you require only a basic ski rack, you can make your own for a fraction of the cost.

  • How do I Lease a CPO BMW?

    Leasing a certified pre-owned BMW lets you have a late-model BMW for a fixed lease term at a lower cost than a new BMW. Leasing a certified pre-owned BMW is similar in nature to leasing a new one, except the vehicle has some miles on it. The 50,000 mile or four-year BMW Ultimate Service free maintenance program remains intact, as does the factory warranty coverage provided to the original owner or lessee of the CPO BMW. Pre-payment discounts and guaranteed asset protection (GAP) insurance, which keeps you from paying the difference between the payoff and cash value in the event…

  • How do I Check the History of Pre-Owned Vehicles?

    Car shopping can be a fun activity. You find that special pre-owned car and fall in love. You must have it. But before you finalize the deal, you must ask yourself "what am I really buying here?" What's the history of this vehicle? Has it been in a bad wreck? Has it been serviced regularly and on time? Is the odometer accurate? Does the vehicle have a clean title? These are all critical questions that should be answered before finalizing any deal.

  • How to Make Your Own Car Carpet

    Automotive carpet endures lots of wear and tear: pets, children, high foot traffic and home improvement projects can cause a laundry list of spills. Numerous companies sell carpeting by the yard if you are interested in fashioning your own replacement. Not only will this save you money, but you also can choose a different color to change the look of the interior. In fact, a variety of automobile carpet retailers permit you to take carpet samples to help you see what the end result of your carpeting installation will look like.

  • How to Create Your Own Car Magnets

    Creating a car magnet can be a fantastic way to show off your creativity as well as accessorize your automobile with some personal message. You can use car magnets to advertise your small business, or tell the world that your child is an honor student. Whatever the purpose of the magnet, the style is completely up to you, especially if you make it yourself instead of buying it from a store. Making one yourself takes only a short amount of time, and can easily be done with minimal materials.

  • How to Make Your Own Car Commercial

    Car dealerships often mail fliers to homes with the hope of getting people to walk through the doors. The truth is that most of these fliers are thrown away, with other junk mail, and rarely read. Making a car commercial to advertise vehicle inventory may help bring in business and boost sales. Airing a car commercial may cost a little more than flier distribution, but can also generate a larger crowd.

  • How to Make Your Own Windshield Lettering for a Car

    Adding windshield lettering to your car allows you to share your interests with the world around you. You can show support for your favorite NFL team or NASCAR driver by spelling out their name in letters across the top of your windshield. The statement you are looking to make may not be available for purchase as a pre-made windshield decal, or you may find that you would rather customize your personal design rather than purchase one. You can make your own windshield lettering with proper preparation and planning.

  • How to Create Your Own Car Graphics

    Show off your family, brag about your child being on the honor roll or create oval vacation badge stickers to decorate your car. Car graphics are a way to personalize your vehicle and express your creativity on the road. Don't let your artistic side be limited to the types of car graphics available in stores; let your imagination run wild by creating your own graphics at home. Your computer comes installed with Paint, a basic drawing and sketching program which can create car graphics in minutes.

  • How to Decrease Fees When Buying a Pre-Certified Car

    While a pre-certified car offers peace of mind by having an extension of the factory warranty, some dealerships exploit this comfort by charging excess fees on certified cars. Some common fees include certification costs, documentation fees and dealer prep fees. By pitting dealerships against each other to earn your business, you can avoid these high-profit fees.

  • Certified Pre-Owned Vs. Extended Warranty

    Buying a used vehicle can be very confusing for consumers, particularly for first-time buyers. There are now multiple classifications of used cars and the warranties that cover them.

  • Automobile Extended Service Agreement

    Consumers by the thousands report high-pressure sales calls about automobile extended-service agreements. Though the Federal Trade Commission identified this as a scam and warned consumers about it, there still may be some value in purchasing a legitimate extended service agreement.

  • How to Find Out Who Owns a Car

    If you want to find out who owns a car, you'll have to do some legwork. With the correct pieces of information, you can find that information available from several sources. However, the information is not available to just anyone. To obtain information about a car's owner from a government agency, you must have a valid reason for your search. If your search is for personal reasons, you may have to hire someone to conduct your search for you.

  • How to Make Your Own Sun Shades for Cars

    A car sunshade, placed over the windshield on the inside, keeps a car cooler on sunny days. Automobile sunshades also protect the car interior from sun damage. You can make your own accordion sunshade and personalize it with a one-of-a-kind design. Then put it to use shielding your car from the sun's intense rays.

  • How to Lease a Pre-Owned Car

    Leases aren't just for brand new cars. Chances are that pre-owned car you are looking might also make a great lease deal. If your looking at a pre-owned car that has undergone a certified pre-owned inspection, you might even be able to get a warranty that covers as much as a new car warranty would.

  • What Are the Dangers of Selling Your Own Car?

    Selling an old car yourself to another private party can be a great way to maximize profit, but there are also several dangers when trying to sell a car by yourself.

  • How to Buy the Best Certified Pre-owned Vehicle

    A certified pre-owned car is a used vehicle that has passed a rigorous inspection from the manufacturer and as a result comes with an extension of the warranty. Certified pre-owned vehicles, CPOs for short, are usually priced higher than other used cars because they may have had new tires or brake pads installed if the vehicle needed them. To find out the exact details of what a certain manufacturer's CPO program covers, check its official website.

  • Automotive Lift Safety

    No mechanic is too experienced to take using an automotive lift lightly. Automotive lifts have caused thousands of deaths and even more injuries. When using a lift, be sure you have been trained properly and follow safety procedures set in place by the manufacturer.

  • How to Create Your Own Car Online

    Creating your own car allows you to completely customize your vehicle to meet your traveling needs as well as your budget. Owning a customized car is many a car lover's dream, as it is truly an original one-of-a-kind sure to stand out on the road. Thanks to modern technology and the integration of digitalization into our everyday lives, creating your own customized car is made easier, more affordable and more realistic for many drivers online.

  • Things to Ask a Car Salesman

    Purchasing a used car can be one of the most irritating and stressful situations any person can describe. The simple fact that most people do not know much about automobiles in general is bad enough, but the negative stigma of the sly used car salesman can make anyone uneasy. Asking the right questions and gauging the validity of the salesperson's responses can go a long way toward figuring out whether or not you're getting a decent deal on a used car or being pushed into something that's overpriced or a downright scam.

  • Do You Need Insurance If You Don't Own a Car?

    Drivers who do not own a car are still responsible for any car they drive when an accident occurs. There are bonds and policies available to drivers who do not own a vehicle. If a driver is caught driving without car insurance, or the vehicle is not insured, the driver could be arrested and face legal troubles. Some states require an insurance policy or bond for drivers before they can test for their driver's license.

  • How to Finance a Pre-Owned Car With no Credit

    Just because you do not have any credit does not mean that you cannot get financing for a car. Most pre-owned car dealerships now offer in house financing for people with no credit. All that is required is a down payment. This article will give you step by step instructions on how you can finance a car with no credit.

  • Problems With GM Certified Warranties

    The Wall Street Journal reported just before 2000, GM spent about $3.5 billion a year paying dealers for repairs to vehicles that are under warranty in North America. At the end of 2007, the amount for warranty payments was $4.46 billion. According to a June, 2009, report in USA Today, GM seeks to cut 1,550 dealers, perhaps making it more difficult to find a dealership that can work on your vehicle under warranty.

  • How to Make Your Own Mesh Car Grill

    Mesh car grills can be found on show cars, race cars or daily driven cars. They add a custom look to your car and makes the front-end stand out. Mesh can also be painted before being installed to your car, giving your car an even more custom look. A mesh grill also protects the engine from road debris or birds while driving down the road.

  • How to Make Your Own Car Interior

    Figuring out how to make your own car interior fit your style takes only a little bit of time and effort. Personalizing the seats, dash, even the roof is as fast and easy as picking out the right jewelry to wear with your perfect outfit.

  • About Toyota Certified Pre-Owned Cars

    Toyota certified pre-owned cars are put through an exhaustive inspection process to ensure that the vehicles live up to Toyota's stringent quality standards. Purchase a certified pre-owned car from Toyota, which comes with an extended warranty for 100,000 miles, with tips from a Toyota sales representative in this free video on Toyota cars.

  • How to Create Your Own Car

    It is not as hard to create your own car as you might think. Almost every auto manufacturer allows you to create and build your own car online using a selector tool. You can do this for fun and experiment with different paint colors, accessories and even engine and transmission types. Should you wish to research actually buying and pricing the car, continue with the selector tool to find dealers, financing and get quotes.

  • About Toyota Certified Pre-Owned Cars

    Buyers are often wary about buying used cars because of the uncertainty of the quality of the vehicle. A previous owner may have mistreated the car or neglected to keep up with maintenance, compromising its lasting value. With Toyota certified pre-owned cars, buyers can rest assured that the vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and carries a warranty against major defects, similar to the warranty of a new vehicle.

  • How to Do Your Own Car Repair Work - A Beginner's Guide

    If you don't know anything about car repair work, now is the time to learn. One of the best ways to survive a recession is to learn some do-it-yourself (DIY) skills. Working on your own car can save you hundreds of dollars.

  • How to Break into Your Own Car for $10

    It's happened to everyone at some point. Whether you lost your car key, dropped it in the trunk, or just left it in the ignition despite yourself, we've all been locked out of our own car. But don't beat yourself up, there's an easy $10 solution to getting back in, and it will even leave you with a spare key in the end.

  • How to Get LoJack for a Car You Already Own

    Safety and security are important; not only that, but your car is something you count on. It gets you to work. It gets you back home. It gets you out with friends and to run errands. What can you do to protect your car when an alarm system just isn't enough? Invest in LoJack. Buy a system that helps law enforcement get your car back to you.

ehow.com
  • About eHow
  • How to by Topic
  • How to Videos
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 1999-2012 Demand Media, Inc.
Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Ad Choices en-US

Cars
Verisign seal