Trucks are famous for their dependability and durability. For whatever weather or road condition, your trucks will not let you down.
And the only way to repay your trucks is to give them what they deserve, only the best performance and of course, the best looks. And what better way to do that than getting your own Extang Tonneau Cover? The good news is, you can do that while enjoying the full use of your cargo space.
When you hear that something is Extang engineered, it only means one thing: excellence – excellence in meeting the people's demands of a product, engineered in the best possible way to satisfy its customers.
This is the main reason why Extang has been the number one selling Tonneau brand in North America for many years now.
Extang was first to introduce many of the styles and features evident in the tonneau industry today. Since 1982, Extang continues to lead the industry with innovation, quality products, the best warranties and customer support. So how about not letting your pick-up down by giving it the best protection and performance? The good news is you can do that while enjoying the full use of your cargo space.
The Extang Tonneau cover is practically a necessity. It will prevent your things from flying out everywhere by fully covering them, while protecting your bed from destructive elements like rust, especially when you park it in the open.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Quality Used Car
If you are going to buy a used car, you don’t want to get something that will break down on you within a matter of months. It’s not always easy to find a quality used car, but there are some things you can do to make sure the one you are looking at is something worth buying. There are some hidden things that can go wrong, and if you aren’t careful, you can be stuck with something that breaks down a lot, or something that won’t last through the winter.
The last time I went looking for a quality used car, I was thankful that I had my dad with me. He’s not a mechanic, but he knows a lot about cars. We chose one that we thought was good, and took it up to see my cousin. He’s an expert on quality used cars, and he put it up in his garage to take a look at all of the systems underneath the car, and he checked for rust that might cause a problem. He went through the engine, and determined that we had found a very good deal. The car was worth twice what the dealer was asking.
If you want a quality used car, but you don’t know a lot about cars, you should try to find one you like at a dealership. They often pre-check the cars, and offer a Carfax report that tells you about the history of the car. Take the car on a test drive and take it to your mechanic and ask them to look it over for you. They should be able to tell you if it is a quality used car or if you should keep looking for something else. Most dealerships are very honest, and if there is something wrong with the car that they missed, they may offer to fix it for you, or to give you a lower price.
Once you have found and purchased a quality used car, make sure you take care of it. You should care for your car like it was new. You want to keep up with all oil changes and make sure you take it in for tune-ups when necessary. Our used car has been a dream and I am so glad that we found it. Though it is rare to find a quality used car as good as they one we got for the price we got, there are plenty out there that will leave you satisfied.
The last time I went looking for a quality used car, I was thankful that I had my dad with me. He’s not a mechanic, but he knows a lot about cars. We chose one that we thought was good, and took it up to see my cousin. He’s an expert on quality used cars, and he put it up in his garage to take a look at all of the systems underneath the car, and he checked for rust that might cause a problem. He went through the engine, and determined that we had found a very good deal. The car was worth twice what the dealer was asking.
If you want a quality used car, but you don’t know a lot about cars, you should try to find one you like at a dealership. They often pre-check the cars, and offer a Carfax report that tells you about the history of the car. Take the car on a test drive and take it to your mechanic and ask them to look it over for you. They should be able to tell you if it is a quality used car or if you should keep looking for something else. Most dealerships are very honest, and if there is something wrong with the car that they missed, they may offer to fix it for you, or to give you a lower price.
Once you have found and purchased a quality used car, make sure you take care of it. You should care for your car like it was new. You want to keep up with all oil changes and make sure you take it in for tune-ups when necessary. Our used car has been a dream and I am so glad that we found it. Though it is rare to find a quality used car as good as they one we got for the price we got, there are plenty out there that will leave you satisfied.
Why Choose a Honda Hybrid?
Undecided on choice
You've decided to purchase a hybrid car, but are confused about which brand and which make to choose. There are several companies that produce hybrid cars--Ford, Toyota, and Honda, among others. In this article, we will go over Honda's hybrid cars. After reading this article,—hopefully you'll have enough information to help you make an educated decision.
Obviously Honda is a highly respected, well known “big player” motor manufacturer however, they have only been producing hybrid cars since 1999 when they manufactured the first Honda Insight hybrid. Since then, they have gone on to produce two other hybrid cars. These are the hybrid Honda Civic and hybrid Honda Accord, which were both first produced in 2003.
Over the past few years, Honda's share of the American market has greatly increased. Presently, it sits at 13.2% with some of this increase probably being partially attributed to Honda’s production of hybrids and also its reputation for producing quality cars across a broad spectrum of price ranges.
Honda plans on developing even more hybrid cars in the future, although they currently haven’t announced the names of the new models.
A Brief Background into Honda's Hybrid range from the start
Honda Insight
The Honda Insight was first produced in 1997 in Japan. In 1999, it was produced in the USA. The Insight was the first mass-produced hybrid in the United States. Based on EPA standards, the 5-speed manual transmission of the Insight makes it the most fuel-efficient mass-produced car sold in the United States.
The Honda Insight features a 3-cylinder engine and a brush less electric motor located on the crankshaft of the car. There are a set of 144 V NiMH batteries. When the car has heavy acceleration, the electric motor provides the additional power. During deceleration, the motor acts as a generator and recharges the batteries.
A Honda Insight achieved over 46 mpg in the city and roughly the same on the highway.
Unfortunately Honda stopped manufacturing Insight hybrids in September of 2006, although there may be some stock around. They plan on producing a replacement car that is even smaller in 2009.
Honda Accord
First produced in 2003, the Honda Accord is one of the most popular hybrid cars. It features both a gas and an electric V-6 engine.
The Honda Accord is very environmentally-friendly as it meets the standards for low emission. It is also very fuel efficient, achieving over 40 MPG.
For some people however one drawback to the Accord can be its price. A 2007 Honda Accord hybrid costs around $31,000 however it is worth taking into consideration some of the tax breaks currently available in the US for hybrid cars. The Honda Accord is a hybrid that qualifies and the tax break, can be as much as $4,000.
Honda Civic
The Civic is, in many ways, a cheaper, smaller version of the Accord. First produced in 2003, this is a very good, fuel-efficient hybrid car. It features a 110-hp, 8-Valve SOHC i-VTEC® 4-Cylinder Engine and Continuously Variable Transmission.
A Honda Civic gets around 40-50 MPG, making it a great choice for those looking for lots of mileage on one gallon of gas. The Honda Civic hybrid retails for $22,000.
As with the Accord, the Honda Civic qualifies for a tax break. The amount of tax break that a hybrid owner can receive depends on the state in which they reside. However, tax breaks for the Civic have been reported to be as high as $4,000. To check these tax breaks out you need to talk to the tax department.
You've decided to purchase a hybrid car, but are confused about which brand and which make to choose. There are several companies that produce hybrid cars--Ford, Toyota, and Honda, among others. In this article, we will go over Honda's hybrid cars. After reading this article,—hopefully you'll have enough information to help you make an educated decision.
Obviously Honda is a highly respected, well known “big player” motor manufacturer however, they have only been producing hybrid cars since 1999 when they manufactured the first Honda Insight hybrid. Since then, they have gone on to produce two other hybrid cars. These are the hybrid Honda Civic and hybrid Honda Accord, which were both first produced in 2003.
Over the past few years, Honda's share of the American market has greatly increased. Presently, it sits at 13.2% with some of this increase probably being partially attributed to Honda’s production of hybrids and also its reputation for producing quality cars across a broad spectrum of price ranges.
Honda plans on developing even more hybrid cars in the future, although they currently haven’t announced the names of the new models.
A Brief Background into Honda's Hybrid range from the start
Honda Insight
The Honda Insight was first produced in 1997 in Japan. In 1999, it was produced in the USA. The Insight was the first mass-produced hybrid in the United States. Based on EPA standards, the 5-speed manual transmission of the Insight makes it the most fuel-efficient mass-produced car sold in the United States.
The Honda Insight features a 3-cylinder engine and a brush less electric motor located on the crankshaft of the car. There are a set of 144 V NiMH batteries. When the car has heavy acceleration, the electric motor provides the additional power. During deceleration, the motor acts as a generator and recharges the batteries.
A Honda Insight achieved over 46 mpg in the city and roughly the same on the highway.
Unfortunately Honda stopped manufacturing Insight hybrids in September of 2006, although there may be some stock around. They plan on producing a replacement car that is even smaller in 2009.
Honda Accord
First produced in 2003, the Honda Accord is one of the most popular hybrid cars. It features both a gas and an electric V-6 engine.
The Honda Accord is very environmentally-friendly as it meets the standards for low emission. It is also very fuel efficient, achieving over 40 MPG.
For some people however one drawback to the Accord can be its price. A 2007 Honda Accord hybrid costs around $31,000 however it is worth taking into consideration some of the tax breaks currently available in the US for hybrid cars. The Honda Accord is a hybrid that qualifies and the tax break, can be as much as $4,000.
Honda Civic
The Civic is, in many ways, a cheaper, smaller version of the Accord. First produced in 2003, this is a very good, fuel-efficient hybrid car. It features a 110-hp, 8-Valve SOHC i-VTEC® 4-Cylinder Engine and Continuously Variable Transmission.
A Honda Civic gets around 40-50 MPG, making it a great choice for those looking for lots of mileage on one gallon of gas. The Honda Civic hybrid retails for $22,000.
As with the Accord, the Honda Civic qualifies for a tax break. The amount of tax break that a hybrid owner can receive depends on the state in which they reside. However, tax breaks for the Civic have been reported to be as high as $4,000. To check these tax breaks out you need to talk to the tax department.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
What You Need To Know To Buy A Car
You may want to check out the different prices that are out there. There are many dealerships that are going to cost more and you will not have bought from them. You can go online and get good deals that you can feel great about. It will be something that you will have to do for yourself. You will want to have the best possible value so that you are not getting taken advantage of when you are looking to get a great luxury car for you and your family.
The dealer will be able to pick out some cars in their lot that will allow you to have low insurance payments. Before you purchase the car, you may want to do to your insurance company and see what exactly you would be paying per month so that you know exactly what to expect. Then you can figure out of you can afford the insurance and the car payment.
If you want to drive around in a convertible, you will want to look for something that fits your lifestyle as well. You will want to look until you come across something in your price range and that will make you feel good too. If you have kids and you need to have a larger sized car, you will want to make sure that you have room for everyone. You will want to have something safe so that you can take your kids around in something safe.
Secondly, you should know a lot about yourself before applying. You need to be at least 18, or have a co-signer, but most people under the age of 25 need a co-signer. You also need to earn a good amount of money and have very little bills if you are younger. If you are older, they like to ask about your disposable income, income after taxes. You need to have a solid employment history and you have to have a stable home.
Before you even go for a used car, you need to figure out exactly what you can pay monthly and as a down payment. If you can, try to get it without the down payment. If you go without a down payment, you are more likely to be able to afford your first year of payments with no struggle. Then if you do make a down payment go with ten percent. Keep it under a thousand if you can.
The dealer will be able to pick out some cars in their lot that will allow you to have low insurance payments. Before you purchase the car, you may want to do to your insurance company and see what exactly you would be paying per month so that you know exactly what to expect. Then you can figure out of you can afford the insurance and the car payment.
If you want to drive around in a convertible, you will want to look for something that fits your lifestyle as well. You will want to look until you come across something in your price range and that will make you feel good too. If you have kids and you need to have a larger sized car, you will want to make sure that you have room for everyone. You will want to have something safe so that you can take your kids around in something safe.
Secondly, you should know a lot about yourself before applying. You need to be at least 18, or have a co-signer, but most people under the age of 25 need a co-signer. You also need to earn a good amount of money and have very little bills if you are younger. If you are older, they like to ask about your disposable income, income after taxes. You need to have a solid employment history and you have to have a stable home.
Before you even go for a used car, you need to figure out exactly what you can pay monthly and as a down payment. If you can, try to get it without the down payment. If you go without a down payment, you are more likely to be able to afford your first year of payments with no struggle. Then if you do make a down payment go with ten percent. Keep it under a thousand if you can.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
How to Avoid Getting a Bad Deal at a Car Auction
A public car auction can be a fine opportunity for getting a great deal on a used auto. But if you go into an auction without having made the proper preparation, you could instead end up making a mistake you will long regret. I am not trying to scare you from buying your next car at one of these public auctions. There are, indeed, good bargains to be found there. But I want to point out the pitfalls you can face, so you can be better prepared to avoid them.
Let me tell you about a bad experience my family had with a public car auction, some ten years ago. My father had heard that you could get a car at an auction for around $500, so he decided to try one and I went with him. It turned out that we had to pay $200 for the registration. My father shrugged it off and ended up purchasing a used Cimarron for closer to $1,000 than $500. There were cars that we could have bought at around $500 but they were in much poorer condition. I noticed that these cars tended to be purchased by auto dealers and mechanics. In any case, my father seemed satisfied, though less than enthused, with the car he did get--until he tried to take it off the lot. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say the car required another $500 in parts and repair so we could use it.
That was certainly a bad experience, but it later served me as a learning experience when I attended other public auto auctions. And I was much more successful at those. But I am sure you would not want to go through a bad experience yourself just to earn the wisdom you would need to be successful at an auto auction. So let me explain how you can reduce your risk of getting a bad deal. Now, I cannot guarantee that you will not end up with a problem at a car auction, but if you keep my advice in mind, you will surely stand a better chance of coming out ahead at one.
Every public auction has an inspection period when you can view the vehicles and maybe even start them (though you will not be able to test drive them). Be sure to attend the inspection period and to note down the vehicle identification number of any car you are interested in. Then you are well-advised to track down the car’s vehicle history report on Carfax. This will tell you the car’s ownership and service history, and also alert you to previous accidents or problems associated with the vehicle.
You should also check the car’s trade-in value with a Kelley Blue Book. (You can also use their website at kbb.com.) This is essential so you can determine your bid properly. You should also take into account the registration fee for the auction. Furthermore, you must realize that the winning bid you make on a car is not equal to the full price you will pay. You also have to pay a buyer’s premium, which is 5% to 10% of the winning bid. You must factor this additional cost into your bid.
Also, a car from an auction is sold “as is” with no warranty. You are strongly advised to get a used car extended warranty for it. Therefore, you should add the cost of the warranty to your total costs.
Finally, be sure to clear out your calendar for the day of the auction. If you end up winning a bid at one, you can end up waiting most of the day as the car papers are processed, before you can drive it out of the lot.
Let me tell you about a bad experience my family had with a public car auction, some ten years ago. My father had heard that you could get a car at an auction for around $500, so he decided to try one and I went with him. It turned out that we had to pay $200 for the registration. My father shrugged it off and ended up purchasing a used Cimarron for closer to $1,000 than $500. There were cars that we could have bought at around $500 but they were in much poorer condition. I noticed that these cars tended to be purchased by auto dealers and mechanics. In any case, my father seemed satisfied, though less than enthused, with the car he did get--until he tried to take it off the lot. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say the car required another $500 in parts and repair so we could use it.
That was certainly a bad experience, but it later served me as a learning experience when I attended other public auto auctions. And I was much more successful at those. But I am sure you would not want to go through a bad experience yourself just to earn the wisdom you would need to be successful at an auto auction. So let me explain how you can reduce your risk of getting a bad deal. Now, I cannot guarantee that you will not end up with a problem at a car auction, but if you keep my advice in mind, you will surely stand a better chance of coming out ahead at one.
Every public auction has an inspection period when you can view the vehicles and maybe even start them (though you will not be able to test drive them). Be sure to attend the inspection period and to note down the vehicle identification number of any car you are interested in. Then you are well-advised to track down the car’s vehicle history report on Carfax. This will tell you the car’s ownership and service history, and also alert you to previous accidents or problems associated with the vehicle.
You should also check the car’s trade-in value with a Kelley Blue Book. (You can also use their website at kbb.com.) This is essential so you can determine your bid properly. You should also take into account the registration fee for the auction. Furthermore, you must realize that the winning bid you make on a car is not equal to the full price you will pay. You also have to pay a buyer’s premium, which is 5% to 10% of the winning bid. You must factor this additional cost into your bid.
Also, a car from an auction is sold “as is” with no warranty. You are strongly advised to get a used car extended warranty for it. Therefore, you should add the cost of the warranty to your total costs.
Finally, be sure to clear out your calendar for the day of the auction. If you end up winning a bid at one, you can end up waiting most of the day as the car papers are processed, before you can drive it out of the lot.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Traffic School Online - What You Really Need To Know Guide
Yes, I’m a pretty good driver. In fact I grew up in a town where cars—hot rods and trucks and the like—were respected, if not revered. I had undergone my training in a driver education program at a high school that had the knowledge of wintry weather and expected the need for definite driving skills that surpassed those persons living in sunny states.. perhaps for instance driving on ice, snow, sleet etc.
In spite of being quick and hyper-alert, though I love to drive a good fast car, in all my driving years (which equals about thirty-one years); I have only had three traffic violations: the first one was when I was 16 years I had got a speeding ticket, trying to beat curfew; the second one for a no seat belt ticket, when I was pulled over because a headlamp was out; and got a red light violation one night when I much aware but wanted to get home after working continuously all day and all night at a college an hour and a half away from where I lived.
But alas last week, having just relocated to a new town only recently- in the last few months- I got pulled over yet again for speeding. For sure, I was a bit startled, personally I feel I was not speeding, but was doing 44 in a part of town where, I have since studied, the signs go from 35 to 25 to 35 to 25 (in one spot TWO SIGNS, one for 35 AND one for 25 are together?????)…almost like a speed trap set-up, if you ask me.
To my good luck, the officer was not only a cool chap, but also kind and jovial. One of the first things he said, after enquiring with me when was the last time I got a speeding ticket (which was 30 years ago), was that I could go to traffic school online!
Sure, I heard a couple of my friends talking over the last few years about traffic school online, and just about everything like how you can keep adding points to your driver record (points increasing means, evidently, insurance rates increasing), as well as learned of friends who had done traffic school online to ease the cost of the traffic ticket. (For instance, a red light violation, once a whopping $107 in my area, is now nearly $400!). Hence I now get to experience first hand the traffic school online adventure. No sooner I started to research I discovered that, logically, one must use an accredited traffic school online- one that is genuine and will issue you the documentation you need to prove to the courts you have paid your penalty.
Another thing I found out about traffic school online are they can be manageable, thus allowing you to study at your own pace or during at times when you are available; besides traffic school online is cheap; and the fact that traffic school online, if you search long enough, will surely appeal to your particular learning style—offering you games if you are a go-getter, or maybe text only if you prefer verbal instruction, as well as cartoons and short films if you are a keen visual learner.
Here’s hoping that I manage to complete my traffic school online in the next few days, and will either go with comedy or cartoons and games. They not only look promising but hopefully will not humiliate me too much with road rules I learned 31 years ago and ace on every DMV test, etc., despite the fact that once every decade “forget”. What a reminder!
In spite of being quick and hyper-alert, though I love to drive a good fast car, in all my driving years (which equals about thirty-one years); I have only had three traffic violations: the first one was when I was 16 years I had got a speeding ticket, trying to beat curfew; the second one for a no seat belt ticket, when I was pulled over because a headlamp was out; and got a red light violation one night when I much aware but wanted to get home after working continuously all day and all night at a college an hour and a half away from where I lived.
But alas last week, having just relocated to a new town only recently- in the last few months- I got pulled over yet again for speeding. For sure, I was a bit startled, personally I feel I was not speeding, but was doing 44 in a part of town where, I have since studied, the signs go from 35 to 25 to 35 to 25 (in one spot TWO SIGNS, one for 35 AND one for 25 are together?????)…almost like a speed trap set-up, if you ask me.
To my good luck, the officer was not only a cool chap, but also kind and jovial. One of the first things he said, after enquiring with me when was the last time I got a speeding ticket (which was 30 years ago), was that I could go to traffic school online!
Sure, I heard a couple of my friends talking over the last few years about traffic school online, and just about everything like how you can keep adding points to your driver record (points increasing means, evidently, insurance rates increasing), as well as learned of friends who had done traffic school online to ease the cost of the traffic ticket. (For instance, a red light violation, once a whopping $107 in my area, is now nearly $400!). Hence I now get to experience first hand the traffic school online adventure. No sooner I started to research I discovered that, logically, one must use an accredited traffic school online- one that is genuine and will issue you the documentation you need to prove to the courts you have paid your penalty.
Another thing I found out about traffic school online are they can be manageable, thus allowing you to study at your own pace or during at times when you are available; besides traffic school online is cheap; and the fact that traffic school online, if you search long enough, will surely appeal to your particular learning style—offering you games if you are a go-getter, or maybe text only if you prefer verbal instruction, as well as cartoons and short films if you are a keen visual learner.
Here’s hoping that I manage to complete my traffic school online in the next few days, and will either go with comedy or cartoons and games. They not only look promising but hopefully will not humiliate me too much with road rules I learned 31 years ago and ace on every DMV test, etc., despite the fact that once every decade “forget”. What a reminder!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
10 Tips For Buying Aircraft at an Aircraft Auction
One of the best places to purchase a nearly new, quality aircraft at a price far below retail value is an auction. Often, brand-name and top-quality aircraft (Cessna, Beechcraft, Piper etc) become state or bank property when their owners are unable to pay debts, and have to be sold fast to avoid substantial storage and maintenance costs. Because of this it is sometimes possible to obtain quality, nearly new aircraft as much as 80-90% off retail price.
Purchasing an airplane is a major investition and should be done with appropriate care. This is especially true if you are an inexperienced and/or first-time buyer. The sums involved are close to what one pays for a house, so, just as for real estate, getting an expert appraisal is the safest way to go. However, that is rather costly and not everyone feels they want to make that investition, especially when just buying a used light aircraft.
In order to help first-time buyers, I have put together the top 10 things to look out for when purchasing an aircraft at an auction. A lot of them are similar to the recommendations for purchasing a used car, and in fact experienced pilots basically approach aircraft purchases in a similar way. Still, there are a few aircraft-specific points to pay attention to.
10) Get a copy of the FAA Type Certificate for the airplane that interests you. On the Internet you can get one at http://www.faa.gov/aircraft. Here, you will find all the specifications about aircraft—applicable engines, propellers, gross weight, empty weight, speeds, etc. Also, inform yourself at the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association). They have a lot of detailed information, forums, and guides on purchasing used aircraft, all accessible for an annual membership fee of $39.
9) Take a good look at the maintenance history. Regular mechanical checkups should have been made. Pay particular attention to engine hours, equipment, airworthiness directives (ADs), damage history, paint, and interior. Be sure to ask for the number of prior owners. Several prior owners are likely to indicate prior problems with the aircraft.
8) Ask owners of the aircraft model you're eyeing about frequent prior defects and things to pay attention to at the preview. This is best done at one of the large net aviation forums like www.totalpilot.com or www.airplanes.com.
7) If you find a good candidate, it's time for a thorough visual inspection. Be sure to check struts (are they equally extended?), wings (corrosion, loose rivets), flaps (rust?), ailerons (any abnormal play if you push slightly?), doors and windows (should seal well), propeller (track, cracks?), engine (mounted solidly, any leaks, exhaust system ok?).
6) If possible, have the engine started and check how well it's running. Any irregularities in the sound? Blue smoke from the exhaust pipe (oil, can mean that the engine is worn)? Excessive white smoke (may mean that coolant is leaking)?
5) When purchasing aircraft at auctions, start by observing. Attend the preview (usually held a while before the auction, and open to the general public). Stay cool during the auction, and decide what you want to bid beforehand. Never get into a bidding war, it's a surefire way to buyer's remorse.
4) Beware of any too-good-to-be-true claims. At an auction, odds are they are just that - not true. Liability for a seller at a public auction is relatively low, and two powerful words - "AS IS" - basically free the seller of any responsibility. It is up to you to pinpoint them on essential statements and be wary of any outrageous promises.
3) Should you win the bid, insist on a written contract, and ask that all important figures and claims are mentioned (e.g. about prior owners or repairs, engine hours, or the timespan until you get the plane). Don't forget that the price you will pay is usually higher than the winning bid. Most auctions include a 5-10% buyer's premium.
2) consider purchasing title insurance along with accident and liability coverage. We have just touched the main points of buying a good aircraft, and there are still numerous issues that may remain undiscovered until after the purchase.
1) Do not be too hasty. Looking at some auctioned aircraft, you may get the feeling of a once-in-a-lifetime bargain, but in fact the market is pretty large and great opportunities are around all the time. It is best to observe a few auctions first to get a feel of the process, and only actively start bidding once you have a good idea of the market.
Purchasing an airplane is a major investition and should be done with appropriate care. This is especially true if you are an inexperienced and/or first-time buyer. The sums involved are close to what one pays for a house, so, just as for real estate, getting an expert appraisal is the safest way to go. However, that is rather costly and not everyone feels they want to make that investition, especially when just buying a used light aircraft.
In order to help first-time buyers, I have put together the top 10 things to look out for when purchasing an aircraft at an auction. A lot of them are similar to the recommendations for purchasing a used car, and in fact experienced pilots basically approach aircraft purchases in a similar way. Still, there are a few aircraft-specific points to pay attention to.
10) Get a copy of the FAA Type Certificate for the airplane that interests you. On the Internet you can get one at http://www.faa.gov/aircraft. Here, you will find all the specifications about aircraft—applicable engines, propellers, gross weight, empty weight, speeds, etc. Also, inform yourself at the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association). They have a lot of detailed information, forums, and guides on purchasing used aircraft, all accessible for an annual membership fee of $39.
9) Take a good look at the maintenance history. Regular mechanical checkups should have been made. Pay particular attention to engine hours, equipment, airworthiness directives (ADs), damage history, paint, and interior. Be sure to ask for the number of prior owners. Several prior owners are likely to indicate prior problems with the aircraft.
8) Ask owners of the aircraft model you're eyeing about frequent prior defects and things to pay attention to at the preview. This is best done at one of the large net aviation forums like www.totalpilot.com or www.airplanes.com.
7) If you find a good candidate, it's time for a thorough visual inspection. Be sure to check struts (are they equally extended?), wings (corrosion, loose rivets), flaps (rust?), ailerons (any abnormal play if you push slightly?), doors and windows (should seal well), propeller (track, cracks?), engine (mounted solidly, any leaks, exhaust system ok?).
6) If possible, have the engine started and check how well it's running. Any irregularities in the sound? Blue smoke from the exhaust pipe (oil, can mean that the engine is worn)? Excessive white smoke (may mean that coolant is leaking)?
5) When purchasing aircraft at auctions, start by observing. Attend the preview (usually held a while before the auction, and open to the general public). Stay cool during the auction, and decide what you want to bid beforehand. Never get into a bidding war, it's a surefire way to buyer's remorse.
4) Beware of any too-good-to-be-true claims. At an auction, odds are they are just that - not true. Liability for a seller at a public auction is relatively low, and two powerful words - "AS IS" - basically free the seller of any responsibility. It is up to you to pinpoint them on essential statements and be wary of any outrageous promises.
3) Should you win the bid, insist on a written contract, and ask that all important figures and claims are mentioned (e.g. about prior owners or repairs, engine hours, or the timespan until you get the plane). Don't forget that the price you will pay is usually higher than the winning bid. Most auctions include a 5-10% buyer's premium.
2) consider purchasing title insurance along with accident and liability coverage. We have just touched the main points of buying a good aircraft, and there are still numerous issues that may remain undiscovered until after the purchase.
1) Do not be too hasty. Looking at some auctioned aircraft, you may get the feeling of a once-in-a-lifetime bargain, but in fact the market is pretty large and great opportunities are around all the time. It is best to observe a few auctions first to get a feel of the process, and only actively start bidding once you have a good idea of the market.
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