In Car Sales and Leasing, Everything Is Negotiable
This weekly feature for Warranty Direct about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America’s Car Show on satellite radio. Below are some recent Q&A from the America’s Car Show email bag.
Dear Tom,
If I want to buy my car at the end of the lease, is the price negotiable? They want $15,000. Will they take less? Thank you.
Anne from WA
Ann,
You didn’t give me year, make, and model so I can’t tell you if this is a good price. That said, you must realize that in car sales and leasing EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE!! Especially when you might return a leased car with mileage on it. The dealer wants to sell the vehicle to keep inventory down. Do your homework and find out exactly what the car is worth based on local market values, vehicle condition, equipment, and mileage. Then negotiate hard, especially since inventories are on the rise again. You should be able to get a better price. Success to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a 2003 Dodge Ram van, and there is a clunking sound near the rear tires. I have a wheelchair lift, and I carry my scooter in the van. I had my mechanic listen and he found nothing. At the time he checked it out, I didn’t have the scooter in the van. Later, I put the scooter back into the van and now I hear the sound again. It’s constant, occurring all the time I am driving. What could it be?
Thanks,
Mary from Battle Creek, MI
Mary.
Assuming your mechanic ruled out all possibilities regarding the rear suspension and the wheel chair lift supports where they secure to the vehicle body and frame, and based on the fact that the noise was absent without the scooter and present with the scooter, then it is probable that the scooter is not properly secured in it’s holding bracket while the vehicle is in motion, hence the rattle. Have this checked. Best to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a ‘98 Jeep Cherokee. When I start it the first time in the morning with the A/C on, I hear a loud scream. When I turn off the A/C it stops immediately. Also, when I press the gas pedal hard it screams too. Do you have any idea what going on here?
William from Long Island, NY
William,
The fact that you only hear the “screaming” (as you call it) under load or acceleration tells me that the serpentine belt is probably loose or worn out. This is common when the belt stops biting into the pulleys. Have the serpentine belt checked for wear, tears, or missing ribs. If any of these conditions are evident, replace the belt. If the belt is fine then check the automatic tensioner. This spring keeps the belt properly adjusted and it might be broken or worn out, resulting in a loose belt that would “scream” under load.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a 2003 Chevy Impala. Will parking on an incline with the parking brake on wear out the brakes on my car?
Sandra from San Francisco, CA
Sandra,
In a word, no. The brakes will not wear out by parking on an incline. However, if you drive the car without releasing the parking brake, the rear brakes will wear out in short order. Why? Because, when the parking brake is on, the rear brakes are applied to either the drums or rotors (depending on if you have rear drum or disc brakes). So make sure you release the parking brake whenever you drive off from parking on one of those marvelous hills in San Fran! Success to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
My ‘92 Toyota Camry LE steering wheel vibrates when in drive and at a stop. The vibration is more violent when I put the car in reverse. Also, while I am driving there is a slight roar that seems to come from the tires. I changed the engine mounts and that seemed to help a little. Would it help if I changed the shocks and/or ball joints too?
Vern from Santa Monica, CA
Vern,
You changed the engine mounts, but what about the transmission mounts? If a trans mount is worn out, it will cause the symptoms you’re experiencing. Why? Because the rubber wears out which causes the mount to sink and ground to the frame or engine cradle. If this is evident, engine torque will cause a drivetrain vibration (especially in reverse). Also, check the engine cradle mounts, because they could be loose or bad. As for the roar you’re hearing from the tires? It could be either choppy wear on the tires or a bad wheel bearing. Have that checked as well. Good luck.
Tom
Tom,
I own two cars. One is used everyday and the other one usually sits in the garage and it’s used for special occasions. My question is about the gas that is stored for an extended time in the car that sits in the garage. Is it better to run the car with the “old” gas until the car is almost out of gas (which may take two or three months) or add “fresh” gas whenever I can? How long can I leave gas in the tank before it ruins the engine and other parts? Thanks for your help.
Jim from Sarasota, FL
Jim,
If you’re going to let a car sit in the garage with gas in it, pour a bottle of fuel stabilizer into the tank. The stabilizer will maintain the octane and keep the gas from separating and dropping varnish into the bottom of the tank. There are some great fuel stabilizer products out there. Check with your local dealer for what they suggest. One that I swear by is K100G from Kinetic Labs. Their website: www.kineticfueltreatment.com. Best to you.
Tom
‘Til next time…Keep Rollin’
For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com
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Filed under: Americas Car Show, Buying a Car, Maintenance, Vehicle repairs
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