Jay Leno Gives Valuable Used Car Buying Advice

Perhaps the most well-known car-obsessed celebrity in modern times is Jay Leno. He has a successful series that started off showcasing his extensive vehicle collection, but now highlights some of the most interesting cars out there. Whatever your opinion of Jay Leno’s Garage, you can’t deny the jeans-loving many himself knows how to pick ‘em. That’s why it can literally pay off to take note of his indispensable advice when it comes to buying collector cars.

First off, the comedy legend counsels you to find a car that’s interesting. The unique qualities will help it increase in value over time, plus you’re going to take more pride in owning such a vehicle. This involves doing some research to find out the model and individual vehicle history. Maybe it was owned by someone famous or has factory options which you don’t normally find for that particular model year.

Leno thinks a collector car should be fun to drive. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re shredding rubber constantly, although that is one form of fun. Quirky vehicles like a Morgan with its ash body frame is one example. You might decide to grab something connected to a movie or TV show, which has some cultural cache to it.

It helps to have a good understanding of the vehicle you’re looking at. You don’t necessarily have to be an expert, but knowledge is power. Of course, your smartphone is a good tool, enabling you to quickly look up any vehicle out there to learn more, even away from home. You can even use your device to run the VIN and get a car history report, which might uncover accidents, flood damage, or other factors you need to know about.

Speaking of undesirable conditions on a car, check it over thoroughly before making an offer. Pop the hood and look not only at the engine and peripherals, but also the structural elements. Get down on your hands and knees and check the underbody. Note any problems with rust, weld joints that look recent or like they weren’t done in the factory, bubbling paint, and other troubling details.

Finally, have fun with your purchases. Jay Leno certainly enjoys his cars and you should as well. Exactly how you do that is your choice.

H/T: MSNBC