IS IT A CREAMPUFF OR A CLUNKER?

With skyrocketing new-car costs and high interest rates, more people are buying used cars than ever before. After reviewing briefly the situation at local dealers, this article gives advice on how to find a good used car: Late-model cars generally make the best buys because new cars depreciate faster than old ones; gas-guzzlers should not be ignored; unpopular styles and colors can often mean good buys; and it is not the car's mileage that's important, but the way it has been driven. The article includes a brief review of used-car sales regulations in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia and two inserts "The '78 Cars That Have Held Their Value Best--and Worst", and "The Safest and Longest-Lasting".

• Corporate Authors:

  Washington Magazine Incorporated

  1828 L Street NW, Suite 200
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Weiss, M J
• Publication Date: 1982-6

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 179-185
• Serial:
  • Washingtonian
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Washington Magazine Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Depreciation; Durability; Present value; Purchasing; Repairing; Safety; Used vehicle industry; Warranty
• Uncontrolled Terms: Mileage; Value; Warranties
• Subject Areas: Finance; Freight Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00367932
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-033 226
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 30 1982 12:00AM