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Used Car Buying Guide 2005 (Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide) (Paperback)

by Editors of Consumer Reports (Author)

3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The experts at Consumer Reports help take the risk out of buying a used car. Buying a used car is a greater risk than buying a new one, but can also be the best automotive deal around if the proper homework is done. The 2005 edition of Used Car Buying Guide helps minimize risks by steering readers toward the better-performing and more reliable models and away from those with a troubled past or substandard performance. It is best to be armed with as much information as possible before stepping onto a used car lot, and this book will provide everything needed, including:

o How to navigate the entire buying process, from selection to shopping

strategies, negotiation techniques and more

o Details about all the checks necessary to perform on a car, whether or not a mechanic is

involved

o Lists of the best and the worst vehicles and how to avoid a lemon

o Making sense of safety information

A major part of this book is devoted to the profiles of 256 cars and trucks, presenting all major 1997-2004 models. Each profile contains a photo from the representative year, a write-up of the vehicle, reliability history, crash-test data, and the model years when key safety gear was added and when a major redesign was made.

About the Author

The auto EDITORS OF CONSUMER REPORTS have almost 70 years of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. Their work is based on the results and expertise of the Consumer Reports Auto Tests Division, located in East Haddam, Connecticut, which evaluates autos both on the test track and on public roads.

Product Details

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Consumer Reports (March 2, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 089043994X
ISBN-13: 978-0890439944
Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces

Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #867,036 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category: (What's this?)
#95 in Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Buyers' Guides

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

3.3 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly Communicates Used Car Buying Data, September 18, 2005

By	A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com "RIP MJ" (Glen Ellyn, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Buying a used car? I am. Buy the "Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide" first.

Rather than depend on the advice of semi-knowledgeable friends, a mechanic biased toward a car maker and not a specific vehicle, or by looking to see what your neighbor drives, you can depend on this.

I bought my 2003 Corolla LE using an earlier guide and intend to buy my next vehicle using the current edition.

In it, I found lists of "Good Bets," which are cars the authors consider to perform well over the years. That is guiding my purchase. I won't buy a car not listed there. I also found lists dividing reliable cars by price range, which cars have had recalls, unreliable models (by year), and detailed descriptions of the pros and cons of each vehicle.

That's not all. There are also articles on safety, buying strategies, batteries, insurance, towing, depreciation, tires and child car seats.

It is not a complicated book. It is straight to the point, with minimal car jargon. Novices like myself are not overwhelmed by information I am not concerned with.

I am interested in safety, performance, cost of repair and related information. I found all of this here.

I fully recommend "Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide." I am confident that because I have read it and will refer to it while I shop for an auto online, I am prepared to save money and to buy a better vehicle.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

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5.0 out of 5 stars Don't leave home without it., June 28, 2008

By	K. Penn (Twin Cities, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I live my life on a budget, and when I have needed to buy a car, the Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide has saved my day. There are a lot of people out there looking to sell their mechanical troubles to someone like me.
The Consumer Reports Used Car Guide starts two years before the publication year, then goes back over the previous 8 years to rate the different makes/models/years according to the general integrity and reliability of the various components of the vehicles.
When I start my search, either at a car lot or online, I get out the buying guides. I usually have a couple of them so I can span more years.
I've found if the guide mentions a particular problem with a certain vehicle and year, and if I question the owner, the vehicle generally has had a problem in that area. Not always, but frequently enough that I trust this guide and don't even bother looking at vehicles they have rated poorly.
These guides are great. Now the second thing that may come in handy is one on how to read people. (Maybe a small take along lie detector kit?) Do your best not to need to buy a car in a hurry so you can take your time and buy smart.

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2.0 out of 5 stars never again, April 11, 2008

By	Beck (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

I used an earlier edition to buy my Mercury Cougar a few years ago. While the book clearly showed that earlier models were unreliable, the ratings for the newer models were pretty good. I thought that meant the car had been improved in recent years. Turns out, all that meant was the newer models weren't old enough yet to start suffering from the same problems all the previous models had. Apparently, the reliability ratings don't take that into account. The book is fine, so long as you recognize that limitation and completely discount good reliability ratings for newer models. Instead, look at the ratings for the older models.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Average book.
Read my review of the 2001 book, my opinion stands the same. It's o.k., just lacks some info.

Published on May 29, 2007 by Kristi

2.0 out of 5 stars Is outdated price whise, not enought details,
is not a bad guide for used car research but just don;t see why it worth 10 bucks, price can;t follow try online usually is more accurate, blue book or edmunds, not details of... Read more

Published on December 26, 2005 by Richard

3.0 out of 5 stars A great help for husbands
I bought this book as per my husband's request and he is very happy with it.

Published on September 6, 2005 by Blanca L. Rodriguez

› See all 6 customer reviews...

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