The Car Store

Let MCCU be your One Stop Shop for your next vehicle
Below you will find information and links to different websites to help you research your next vehicle

What is it worth?
Not all vehicles of the same make, model and mileage are equal in value. Nothing can replace leg work to see What is YOUR car worth? what other cars in your area are selling for, but a good starting place is to see what the "Blue Book" says it is worth. While there are several "Blue Books" out there, industry insiders use the NADA Blue Book. NADA stands for New Auto Dealer Association. Visit www.nada.com to look up values on cars, RVs, boats, motorcycles to name a few.

Has it been in an Accident?
Some unscrupulous people will clean up cars after a flood and "wash the title" through a state that will not mark the title as with the phrase prior salvage. For this reason as well as its accident history, it is a very good idea to check into the history of any used vehicle you are considering buying. As with the Blue Book, there are several options that can provide this information, but the largest and most popular is www.carfax.com

Where can I find a great deal on a new or used vehicle?
Rather than take your chances at a dealership with the over-eager salesman, call Integrity Autosource. Brett can help you find a new or used car or truck. He is paid by the dealership, just as a salesman would be, but without the pressure. You can often pick up the vehicle right at his office. Click on the link or call your local CU office1) 484-0265.

Is Leasing better than Purchasing?
About one-third of new vehicles will be leased instead of bought this year. Advantages to leasing include lower payments and tax deductibility (if you own a business and it is for the business). Of course, you don't own it at the end of the lease payments. A lease generally makes financial sense only if:

You do not exceed the annual mileage allowance - typically 12,000 per year.
You do not terminate the lease early - you risk thousands on penalties.

You keep your vehicle in very good shape. "Excess ware and tear" charges can be very expensive.
You prefer to trade in your vehicle every two to three years. If you usually keep the vehicle more than three years, you're better off buying it from the start.

Other car buying tips

Consider renting a possible choice for a day or two. For a small investment, you may discover flaws such as an uncomfortable seat or inconvenient controls, that a test drive just won't reveal.
Talk to your insurance agent. You may be surprised at the different premiums between seemingly comparable models.
Depreciation matters. The value of a new car plummets more than 1/3 in the first three years then depreciates more slowly. You may want to look at a two to three year old vehicle.

10 ways to check a used car

Look for misaligned body panels or mismatched paint, which can indicate that the car has been in an accident. Be sure to check while outdoors when the light is good.
Check for rust on and under the doors, under the carpeting, around the wheel openings and inside the trunk.
Check for rain leaks around the glass, stains on the upholstery and carpeting, a moldy smell. A leak can be hard to trace.
Check for drips under the car. Whether it is oil, gas, transmission fluid, brake fluid or engine coolant, repairs could be expensive.
Try all of the controls, and check the displays. Make sure all of the lights are working.
When the ignition is turned on make sure the "check engine" light comes onwhile the computer conducts the check on the dash board. If it does not come on, it may mean that the bulb wsa removed to conceal an engine problem.
Drive on a level road. The car should track straight, without constant steering correction. Pulling to one side could mean misalignment, or that the frame was badly twisted in a crash.
On a quiet street with no traffic, step hard on the brakes. The car should stop without pulling to either side.
With the car running, pull the dipstick for the automatic transmission fluid. It should be red. There should be no burnt smell or bubbles.
Acceleration should be smooth. With the transmission in low gear, accelerate to about 15 mph. The release the accelerator, let the speed drop to about 5 mph, then floor the accelerator. A cloud of blue smoke from the tailpipe is a sign of an engine that burns oil. A could of white smoke may also indicate serious engine problems.