Huaxia Xia's infodesk :: Car

Try to get driving license first:

• if you get license before you buy the car, you can test the car by yourself; you can drive it back by yourself; and you can drive it to DMV by yourself. Otherwise, you have to ask your friends to help you to do all these things (for many times:) Moreover, you have to pay much more money for your car insurance if you haven't got license yet.
• How to get driving license: read the website of DMV please.
  1. vision test
  2. writing test
  3. driving class:  you can ask your friends to teach you, but it's better if you take a class from driving school. Generally, the driving class costs about $25/hour, most classes takes 6 hours totally (you can ask for less or more time if you want).I took a class from
  Gilbert Dang (Chinese name: 邓光成)
  (619)266-9287(home)
  (619)708-8816(cell)
  His class is $46 per 2 hour(in Feb 2006) and he can speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese.
  4. driving test:  You have to make an appointment for driving test.  For the test, you have to use a car with insurance. You can use the driving school's car to take the test.
  5. Useful Driving Tips:http://adtsea.iup.edu/adtsea/resource_library/teacher_resources/driver_study_guide.htm 
  Driving Tips Video: http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/60sec.html 

Search for a used car:

1. What kind of car should you buy?
   Free decision guide by AutoTrader and MSN CarPoint.
   How to Choose a "Right" Car? from Samarins.
   Reliability ratings from MSN or from JD Power consumer center,
   Safety ratings from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
2. Free pricing by Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds.
3. Classified ads by
   • Craigslist
   • AutoTrader
   • Cars.com(San Diego Union Tribune)
   • Yahoo Autos.
4. Check the vehicle history from Carfax Vehicle History Report.   The price is $14.99 for a single report, or $19.99 for unlimited two-months access.
5. Make a call: it is good to make a call before go to test drive.  You should make it clear after the call:
       year &  model
       options (power window, power mirror, power seats, CD, etc.)
       milage
       Vin number
       clean title or not
       ever in accident
       How is the body ( if you care )?
       How it runs?
       Anything needs repair?
       Do you have all the service records?
       Has the timing belt been changed?
       Are you the first owner?
       Are you a dealer or private seller?
       Do you have the smog check of the car?
       and the always asked question: Why do you want to sell it? (but don't believe everything.)
       Finally, you should ask for the address if you want to take a look:-)
   

On buying a used car:  Test drive and buy...

1. You'd better read the information on registration & title from DMV before buying a car.
2. How to check a car by yourself?   A good article about this is from MSN CarPoint.
3. If you want to buy it, you'd better make a mechanical check first.   The price for a basic check is about $30, and for a complete check is about $60.
4. Does the owner has service records?   Owner's manual?   Smog check?   (According to the website of DMV, it's the seller's obligation to provide the purchaser with evidence of a valid smog certification)   Have you checked Carfax Vehicle History Report?
5. Ask for the endorsed title. This is the certificate that proves your ownership on the car.

After buying the car:

Other things

2.Don't you want yourself to become a car expert?   Read the "how to" from:
Edmunds.com Tech Center: Tells a lot of tips about how to keep your car going and going and going.
NAPA Online: provides many tips on repair and service and also problem diagnosis.  
Car Connection: provides.

3.Where to buy auto parts?
AutoZone: http://www.autozone.com, 6085 Balboa Ave. San Diego, CA 92111.  Mon-Sat:8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sun:9:00 AM - 9:00 PM.   (858) 279-8771
NAPA: http://www.napaonline.com, 7440 Convoy St, San Diego CA, 92111. (619)696-6272.
Auto Work: besides Hometown Buffet
Al & Ed's Autosound: 5789 Miramar Rd, very kind & honest guy.   For car audio.

4. What to know the brands, logos, and prices?
Car companies, countries and brands
Car logos

5.How to drive like a Moron?  Read the tutorial at http://www.doggiesnot.com/ carefully.  What's a "Moron"? (You can look the dictionary of http://www.m-w.com/home.htm)

Car Repair Shops:

shop
Good
Bad
Address
Mira Mesa Auto Techs
   7
      0
(9560 Black mountain Rd Suite A, 92126, Tele number:(858)693-6209 Mr Chen) Good: 1849
G. Win Auto         
   4
      1
(8448 Miracrest Pl # A, 92121, Tele: (858) 457-2008) Good: 1917 1986 2002 2020 Bad: 1979
Pacific Auto Service
   0
      1
(messages: 1970)
TAB's Toyota        
   0
      2

TAP Auto Care(convey)
  0
      1


Japanese Auto Tech  
   2
      0
(6696 Miramar Rd # N, 92121, (858)546-8363)
	Good: 1853 2029
Star Auto (Dowdy)   
   1
      0
(9220 Dowdy Dr # F-G, 92126, (858)578-6315)
The Brake Shop      
   1
      0
(5750 Miramar Rd)
???		    
	1
0
(8873 Balboa Ave, #ABC, San Diego, CA 92123)

On Time
0
       20
 (6670 Miramar Rd # C, 92121, (858) 452-9999)
	
BAD: 1906 1918 1926 1934 1944 1946 1950 1951 1954 1966 1967 1972
	1974 1975 1976 1981 1984 1985 1988 1993 1996 2001 2004 2008 2015
	5675 6506 6512
 
Body shop:
United Auto Body            
	1
      0
(Miramar Rd)
Kearny Mesa Auto Body  
	1
      0
(half a block from the intersection of Convoy and Engineering Rd, behind Pacific Honda)
 
Smog Check: (many shops can do smog check, like "Star Auto".  But sometimes, you may be asked to do smog check at a "smog check only" shop, here're those I know:)
South Cal Smog
   
	4645 Ruffner St. Ste. E, San Diego, 92111, (858)576-0375 (Smog Check Only)

  Goto top click here.
 If you have any suggestions, please email me.