[ale] way OT - used car buying tips - yea or nea - PT 2

[Beddingfield, Allen]

This first section about the emissions testing/legalities of it all makes
me glad that I live in a state that doesn't do vehicle emissions testing
or inspection stickers.
I previously lived in Mississippi, where we had vehicle inspection
stickers, but not emissions testing.  That pretty much consisted of going
to the local mechanic and paying $5.00 to have them slap a sticker on the
car.  They sometimes actually checked that your lights worked, but I think
it usually ended up just being a new sticker slapped on.
We don't have inspection here in Alabama, but law enforcement can pull you
over for having a light out.  They aren't very aggressive about it,
though.  There are plenty of smoke-belching one-head light clunkers on the
road.

Allen B.
-- 
Allen Beddingfield
Systems Engineer
The University of Alabama




On 11/27/12 8:56 PM, "Ron Frazier (ALE)"
<atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com> wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>Here is some additional info on my car buying capers.  Later down the
>road, when I have time, I want to say some things about the car finding
>and buying process.  But now, I want to say some things about maintaining
>the new used vehicle.
>
>This refers back to the thread of the 11/12/12 time frame.
>
>I did end up buying a used 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe, which I like very much.
> I've been doing some research into gas mileage and maintenance.  If you
>have a Hyundai, this may apply directly to you.  If you have another
>brand of car, this may apply indirectly.  All of this represents my
>opinions and experience and your mileage may vary.
>
>What should you do when you first get your used car?  If you bought it
>from a dealer, you will have a temporary tag number.  After 15 days or
>so, when the dealer has put in the title transfer paperwork, you have to
>visit the local tag office and complete the transfer to your name.  If
>you live in an emissions inspection county, the dealer should have taken
>care of that.  Be aware that you cannot sell your old car to an
>individual in such a county without a valid emissions test.  If you're
>trading the car in and they'll auction it, this may not be an issue.  If
>the check engine light is on, the car will fail the test.  Also,
>obviously, you have to contact your insurance company and get a policy on
>the car.  You should also call the customer service department of the car
>maker and register your ownership of the vehicle.  This will enable them
>to notify you of recalls and such.
>