I have a car I am considering buying. I got it for a day, so I am putting it through its paces. Two things I have noticed so far:
The steering wheel shakes at all speeds over fifteen mph. There is no brake pulsing not is the car pulling to either side. The shaking is very noticeable, not just a vibration. What could it be and how could I narrow down the possibilities?
There is a faint burning smell in the passenger compartment.
The car has not been driven in two to three months. Do not know if that matters.
Anything else I should check out during my test drive?
Update: I did a full test drive and inspection on the vehicle. I'm going to put the results below and I'd like to know what is a big enough deal to walk away, what should I deduct ($x from the asking price) and what is simply no big deal.
Asking price: $6,400. 151,000 miles on the car.
1) Steering wheel shakes, car pulls to the left. If I drive for awhile, I get smoke from the brake on the left front tire and it gets pretty hot. Car will not move forward when in drive without pressing on the pedal. My diagnosis: Frozen caliper.
2) 3 of 4 struts have torn boots. Struts look otherwise OK.
3) Silver coating on wheels crackling/rusting off
4) Low tread on one front tire
5) Leather torn on both front seats
The steering wheel shakes at all speeds over fifteen mph. There is no brake pulsing not is the car pulling to either side. The shaking is very noticeable, not just a vibration. What could it be and how could I narrow down the possibilities?
There is a faint burning smell in the passenger compartment.
The car has not been driven in two to three months. Do not know if that matters.
Anything else I should check out during my test drive?
Update: I did a full test drive and inspection on the vehicle. I'm going to put the results below and I'd like to know what is a big enough deal to walk away, what should I deduct ($x from the asking price) and what is simply no big deal.
Asking price: $6,400. 151,000 miles on the car.
1) Steering wheel shakes, car pulls to the left. If I drive for awhile, I get smoke from the brake on the left front tire and it gets pretty hot. Car will not move forward when in drive without pressing on the pedal. My diagnosis: Frozen caliper.
2) 3 of 4 struts have torn boots. Struts look otherwise OK.
3) Silver coating on wheels crackling/rusting off
4) Low tread on one front tire
5) Leather torn on both front seats
Oct 12, 2018 at 10:57 AM
