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Q. I'm just about to buy a car, and my choices are narrowed down to a short list of available cars at a local used car dealer that I really trust to sell cars in good condition.
- Cadillac Cattera 1998
- Oldsmobile Alero 2002
- Chrysler Sebring 2003
- Hyundai Accent 2003
- Ford Focus 2003
I would like to know either an estimated maintenance price for a year on those cars, or if someone can direct me to another site so I can get these priced out myself.
A. To get any accurate estimate involves you calling your auto insurance company and getting insurance quotes on all of the mentioned vehicles. Operating costs including more than insurance and repairs can be a major expense on a car more than a few years old.
Pick up the most recent edition of car-buying magazines and check out the reliability history for a few model years prior to the ones you are considering. They have a section for car testing. Of the greatest value to me are the reliability lists, which are based on actual owner experience.
Q. My lease is maturing - with MMCA. I would like to purchase the vehicle. Is the pay-off amount negotiable?
A. The buy-out price is in writing and signed by you so the dealer does not have to negotiate the price. But it's worth a shot, especially if you get the Kelly Blue Book value and show it's less than the amount stated in the lease. If you have been a long-time customer, use that to your advantage too. It will probably be cheaper for the dealer to get a little less for the car from you than to add it to their used inventory, clean and warranty the car.
Q. Does anyone know if there is a difference between the shape and size of a 1991 Honda Civic sedan DX and the 1989 Civic sedan DX? I have seen pictures of both. The front and back ends look different, but could this just be the camera angle?
A. The Civic had minor changes in 1990. There were revised bumpers and tailights. Hatchbacks received larger reverse lights, and sedans adopted a horizontal taillight theme.
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