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Used Racecar Buyers Guide Number 15

Used Racecar Buyer's Guide - Buyer Beware!

So You Want To Buy A Used Racecar? Then Take The Time To Make Sure The Decision You Make Is The Right One
By John Gibson
Photography by John Gibson
Used Racecar Buyers Guide Number 15
Buying a used car can be a... 
   
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Used Racecar Buyers Guide Number 15
Buying a used car can be a great option to get into racing. However, if you don't spend ample time inspecting and asking questions about the car, then you could make a costly decision.
It is a right of passage that nearly everyone must go through, and then regret later: buying a used car. We have all seen it happen to people we know. They purchase a used car and later find out it was a lemon. It can be a very dangerous game because of the unforeseen costs that come along with a used car. How can you trust the person selling the car? Is the car in as good as shape as the seller says it is?

Used Racecar Buyers Guide T Bone
Some used cars have had a... 
   
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Used Racecar Buyers Guide T Bone
Some used cars have had a rough life, and the seller will do anything to get rid of them.
A lot of the rules that apply when purchasing a used street car are applicable to purchasing a used racecar. However, avoid the temptation to purchase a used racecar simply because you really, really want to race. After you have determined what class you want to be driving in and at what tracks, then you need to visit those tracks. Nine out of 10 times you will find a car for sale from the division you choose. Before anything is said to the car owner, sit back and watch how the car runs that evening. Speak with other drivers that have raced against it and find out how the car usually runs. If the car is usually finishing seventh out of an eight-car field, then I would suggest spending your money elsewhere. Also, it would be wise to ask around to see if anyone recalls the car being involved in any recent hard crashes. Record mental notes to be used later.

Used Racecar Buyers Guide Frame
Inspecting the chassis is... 
   
  read full caption
Used Racecar Buyers Guide Frame
Inspecting the chassis is crucial in determining whether or not to purchase the used car. More than likely the car will not be stripped down like this one.
First, the gas tank won't lie to you. I am not speaking of the fuel bladder, but rather the steel casing the fuel bladder fits into. After a hard wreck where the rearend has been heavily damaged, teams often save money by simply beating the dents out of the tank. If you crawl underneath the car and see several wrinkles on the tank, then you know at some point a bent chassis component put that bend in the tank.


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