The Canadian Used Car Guide 2004

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

For the uninitiated, few experiences can be more intimidating than
buying a used car. This handy guidebook is a great quick reference for
both newbie and experienced car buyers. For the greenhorns, there is a
page of tips on how to buy a used car. Other information covers where to
find the best bargain, what is involved with a vehicle inspection, how
to test drive a vehicle, and important things to remember (like
verifying the origin of the vehicle to ensure that it’s not stolen or
unsafe). There are also charts on how to adjust the price according to
mileage and optional equipment.

Most of the text consists of detailed listings for nearly every car
made and sold in North America between 1998 and 2003. The cars are
listed alphabetically by make and then sorted by model. For each model,
there is a quick-glance chart that lists what problems this particular
model experienced and in which year. There is also a list of the basic
specifications of the car and the prices the car should be selling for
if it is in good condition. A short history of the car model follows,
along with two sections listing the car’s pros and cons (for example,
if you are in the market for a Hyundai Accent the book says that it has
a competitive price but the car unfortunately has a high noise level).
More than 300 photos accompany the text. If you are thinking of buying a
used car, this guide could save you a lot of money and/or grief.