by Cameron Boyce
The majority of race cars are designed with racing in mind and not for normal use. However, original stock cars were ordinary family sedans used for commuting or buying groceries. During the week, the cars could be used for taking the family to the park or doing other chores. But during the weekend, they hit the racetrack.
But as the stock car racing sport changed, so did these cars. Racing got faster and roads got rougher and more dangerous. This necessitated adjustments to be made to guarantee driver safety. Auckland stock cars are today made to withstand the highest level of driver safety. If you are into racing and want a fast vehicle, a used stock car is as good an option as any. Read our researched tips on how to buy a used stock car right.
Used Stock Car Checklist
Checking the engine
The heart of all used Auckland stock cars is the engine, and while they can withstand a significant amount of wear and tear, the tight tolerances that they need to operate under and the components found in it mean maintenance is crucial to their smooth operation.
Leaks
Leaks are among the easiest problems to tell. The engine has many kinds of fluids in it and under it, and one of the signs of a well-maintained car is that it doesn’t have a leak.
When inspecting a secondhand car, you will want to check the underside of a car for leaks. If you see evidence of oil beneath the car or significant sludge on it, it has a leaking problem. The sludge underneath the engine is brought about by road dirt that sticks to the engine’s oily underside.
Open the bonnet and inspect the engine to see if there are other leaks. The normal colour of the oil engine is brown, and if the oil is old, then it has a black colour. Coolant (antifreeze) tends to be pink, yellow, or green, while power steering and gearbox fluid are usually reddish-brown. Power steering fluid tends to be thinner and gearbox fluid is thick.
In case you spot leakage of any of these fluids, you have a couple of options. The first option is to ask the seller to knock off the price by a few dollars, so you can fix it yourself. Another option is to ask that the seller fixes it first. Lastly, you can quit the deal and consider other stock cars for sale.
Oil
It’s a general car maintenance process to check the engine oil and one that you shouldn’t overlook when looking to buy used Auckland stock cars. Make sure the reading on the dipstick is at the right level and that the oil isn’t discoloured. Specifically, look for general grime and dirt covering any connectors. Usually, this can point to a poorly serviced or maintained vehicle.
Head gasket
This refers to a thin part sitting between the upper and lower parts of the engine. Its work is to prevent engine oil or coolant from getting to the cylinders of the engine.
A blown head gasket will leak. This causes various problems that may include loss of power, a smoky exhaust, or the engine sounding rough. It might also lead to complete engine failure, which is why it is important to check.
Make sure the engine is cool and also remove the oil cap from atop the engine. In the case of white or a light brown sludge, you are probably dealing with a blown head gasket. In that case, the best thing would be to walk out of the deal, since the cause of the damage may be unknown.
Exhaust smoke colours
Switch the engine on and go to the back of the used car. When it is only a puff of smoke upon starting the car, it is nothing to be concerned about. Continue observing the exhaust for an additional few minutes. If the smoke persists, then you need to be very worried.
Blue smoke signifies burning engine oil. It means that the oil is getting through to the cylinders. This could be a result of internal engine seal problems or a blown head gasket. Either problem could cost a fortune to fix.
White smoke is usually a lot harder to identify because it resembles steam and can easily be confused with it. Steam tends to be produced by cars when it is started for the first time especially on cold mornings. But when the white smoke is excessive, it can signify a failure in the head gasket. In that case, you probably need to consider other stock cars for sale.
Inspecting the gearbox and clutch
When it comes to the clutch and gearbox, it is not so much about what you can perceive with your eyes as to what you can feel.
There are two main types of gearboxes, which are manual and automatic. These also come in different types. Whatever the type of gearbox your car has, it needs to engage smoothly and quietly in all the gears. Otherwise, there is a problem and you are better off moving to other Auckland stock cars.
The clutch biting point in a manual car ought to be around the middle part of the pedal’s travel. The clutch biting point refers to the point you feel the car starts moving after you release the clutch pedal. The clutch will require attention if you need to push your foot to the floor. It could simply need an adjustment, or sometimes it could call for an expensive replacement.
Your gears should be able to be changed easily. If you realise that there are grinding noises or any form of resistance, then the gearbox has a problem. Resistance or grinding noises also point to a problem.
Choose us for high-performance and reliable Stock Cars for sale
New Zealand Cars has trusted experts that let you browse for high-performance stock cars for sale in a friendly and relaxed environment. With award-winning customer service and an inexhaustible selection of cars, we guarantee that you will find the perfect car at the best prices. You can count on our staff to help you select your dream stock car with an affordable finance package. We make buying used stock cars for sale as hassle-free as possible with an unforgettable experience.
