Hot Cars Take Time and Effort

Hot Cars Take Time and Effort
Beware Katrina cars
Dishonest salesmen try to foist flooded autos onto public

The sheer number of vehicles damaged in the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes means that potential buyers must be extra careful, an insurance official said.
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FLAWS CAN SIGNAL WATER DAMAGE There are a number of things buyers can do to help avoid being victimized, said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst for Kelley Blue Book of Irvine, Calif., a vehicle pricing and information service.

"You have to be a bit of a forensic scientist as you inspect the car," Nerad said.

Some telltale signs of water damage:

* brand new carpeting in a three-year old car

* floor mats that don't match the carpeting

* water stains on upholstery

* sand or silt under carpets or floor mats

* rust in places where it shouldn't be, such as the interior of the trunk or high up under the hood

* power windows that don't work well

* a mildewy or musty smell

Nerad suggests a careful test-drive, too.

"When you test-drive the vehicle, don't let yourself be distracted by the seller," he said. "Pay attention to what's going on -- the ride quality, the steering. Does it pull when you're breaking? Do the brakes squeal?

"If it feels weird to you, or you have a sense it's weird but can't identify it, you might steer clear of it."

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Eileen Alt Powell, The Associated Press
Upward of half a million cars and trucks were damaged when Katrina and other hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast and Florida last year. Many have been fixed up and put in used car lots or are for sale on the street. If you're in the market for a used car, shopping carefully will help you avoid ending up with a water-damaged vehicle.
Sales of salvaged vehicles to unsuspecting buyers is nothing new. Dishonest and unscrupulous dealers -- as well as individuals -- have profited for years by taking cars damaged in accidents, doing cosmetic repairs and getting fresh titles, and selling them to unsuspecting buyers. The vehicles may be unsafe, or they require extensive and expensive repairs.

Water-damaged vehicles are especially dangerous because there can be hidden damage to electrical systems, and the potential for buyers getting scammed is greater now than in recent times.

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