There are of course some pitfalls when buying any used vehicle, but we want to take a look at specific problems you might run into when buying a used SUV.

Follow these tips to track down an SUV that will not only match your price but suit your family as well:

1. Search for the right brand.

It’s no secret that certain SUVs are designed for longevity while others’ strong points are classy appointments or high-tech features. In an SUV, you’ll want enough space to fit your family, 4-wheel drive, stylish looks and interior comfort. This boils down to versatility, light off-road capability (towing is a nice addition) and affordability, too. The Ford Escape and larger Ford Expedition, for example, neatly fit these categories.

Really think about what you want in an SUV and research each brand to find the best qualities you’re looking for.

2. Pick the right generation.

When checking used SUV listings, you’ll see vehicles from a wide range of model years. The first generation Ford Escape was released in 2001 and redesigned in 2008, with an upgraded 171-horsepower four cylinder V6, new transmission and new-look cabin adopted in the second-gen to conform with other Ford ranges. Rather than only checking mileage, maintenance and costs, in other words, consider when the vehicle was released and with the benefit of hindsight, consider how it fared.

One generation up or down can change the dynamics of the vehicle drastically, so double check gas mileage, reliability and engine sizes.

If you’re looking for a fuel efficient vehicle buying one year newer or older might make a huge difference.

3. Get down to the nitty gritty.

Do your due diligence once you’ve settled on the SUV that meets your requirements. Request the vehicle’s service history and check its reliability record among auto reviewers. Ask the folks over at Toyota of Fort Worth about more of this information. Before you part with your cash, make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.

4. Get your vehicle checked out.

It’s always a good idea to get a used vehicle checked out by a licensed mechanic. They can give you an idea of what you will need to fix in the future, what is wrong with the vehicle now, and what possible changes will need to be made to keep your vehicle road worthy. You’d be surprised at just how many times there is a small “deal breaker” problem with a vehicle that you wouldn’t have noticed without a mechanic taking a look.

Had an experience with purchasing a used SUV? Let us know in the comments below.

You can rest easy if you’ve just bought yourself a car today. The cars in the market now are those that don’t need to be serviced all the time to keep them in go od working condition. What used to be a monthly exercise can now be done a few times in the year. In addition to that, you’re given a long factory warranty so if you ever have problems with your car, you can get these problems fixed and solved at no extra cost.

Sure car maintenance is easier with new cars but that doesn’t mean you can forgo car maintenance entirely. Here are just some of the things you need to remember with regard to new car maintenance.

There are three key tasks when you’ve purchased a new car and you want to maintain its upkeep.

1. Wash your car regularly. Since it’s a new car, you’ll be excited to wash your car and the recommended times for you to wash your car is every week. When you wash it, make sure you clean the body well and hose the undercarriage and fender wells with water. A lot of road salt and dirt will be gathering there and if you want a clean car, you have to get into those tight spaces too. You then wax your new car’s finish if you notice water beads gathering on your car after a wash or after the rain a size larger than a quarter.
2. Check engine oil. This task has to be performed regularly. Monthly is a good amount of time to check your new car’s engine oil. But if you notice that you have engine oil leaks, you have to check more often because you also need to add more oil. Park your car on level ground when you’re checking for oil level with a dipstick. Don’t over replenish your engine oil and if leaks are established, find the leaks and get them fixed.
3. Check tire pressure. When you have a new car, one of the things that can put a damper on the smoothness and quality of your ride is the tire air pressure. You have to make sure you check this monthly. If you’re going on a road trip, check the tire pressure before your trip. Use a tire pressure gauge to ensure that you have the right pressure. You’ll have details on the amount of tire pressure your car needs on the manual or on the tire’s sidewall. Make sure that your spare tire also has the right tire pressure.

After checking for these three things in new car maintenance, you then have to check the other parts as well. When you’re getting your oil changed, make sure that you also get your air filter, exhaust system, brakes, radiator, battery, fluids and constant velocity joint boots checked. With regard to the air filter, you just have to hold a light up to it and if you don’t see any light shining through the filter, it needs to be replaced. You’ll also have service interval instructions to follow when you have a new car.

The exhaust system should be checked for rusted parts and loose parts. Since your car is new, it’s highly unlikely you’ll have rust under your car, but it’s better safe than sorry. While your car is on the ramps, the exhaust system can be checked thoroughly. You also have to listen for any changes with the sound of your exhaust when you’re driving. Brakes need to be checked for worn out brake pads and also for scored drums or rotors. You have to check the condition of your brakes every six months.

In the case of the radiator, you can prevent your new car from ever overheating if you just clean off debris on it and wash the outside with detergent solution. The battery cables and terminals have to be attached securely. Look out for signs of corrosion. With your car, you don’t have to worry about transmission but if you get a new car with unsealed automatic transmission, you have to check your fluids like transmission, power steering, brake fluid and top them off. For the constant velocity joint boots or CV boots, check for any leaks, cuts or cracks.

When you check all these parts of your new car regularly, you can ensure yourself of a smooth and comfy ride every time. When two years has passed, you then have to set off with maintenance relating to your car’s cooling system, your drive belts and hoses, your timing belt and your automatic transmission fluid. For the cooling system, make sure you drain and flush it two years from the time you bought your car. You have to do this after every two years.

For drive belts and hoses, check for wear and tear. If you have a noisy belt, you need to adjust it. For the timing belt, this has to be changed based on the manufacturer’s replacement interval.

If you don’t check on this, you have to replace your whole engine if the belt breaks. As for the automatic transmission fluid, you might have bought a car that doesn’t need this fluid to be changed. If you bought a different model, you might have to replace filter and fluid after every 36,000 miles or 100,000 miles.

It’s easy to lengthen the life of your car and keep it running as good as the day you bought it from the car dealer if you do new car maintenance.

If you do your own maintenance and auto repairs, purchase your Ford, BMW, Chevy and Nissan parts at discount prices.