IT HELPS to know a mechanic. But even if you don't, there are ways to get exactly what you want for your money Here’s a checklist you can use when purchasing your first set of wheels either a snappy Mazda or a reliable three-year-old. By Norman Brown Contributing Writer PICK A MODEL Be honest. If all you need basic transportation, forget those smart looking coupes with tiny back seats and big price tags. Keep in mind that similar vehicles are sold under different names. To give yourself the widest choice, start by reading consumer car magazines, which are cramm- ed with advice and = rankings. Check the library for past issues. Many first-time car buyers don’t. And once the initial ex- citement wears off, they are forc- ed to live with a costly lemon or gas-guzzler. TAKE A TEST DRIVE Many skip this as meaningless ritual. A spin around the block while chatting nervously with a salesperson. That’s a mistake. The test drive should be a rig- orous examination on your terms and without the extra rider. If a dealer won’t turn you loose with the car, look elsewhere or rent the same model for a day. **Take it out for an hour,”’ ad- vises Jack Gillis, author of The Car Book. ‘‘Drive it on the high- way and just in to Run some errands, and park it a couple of times. Don't just take a spin.” GO FIGURE IT If there’s a cash rebate on the car you want, it will be gravy. The rebate comes directly from the automaker, so it doesn’t change the dealer's cost (listed in guides such as Edmund’s New Car Prices). Check to see if prices in the book match the car’s window sticker. If they don’t, there may have been a price change since the book was printed. Profit margins on options alsc differ among dealers. Talk to people who own the model you're interested ir, and find out how long the dealer's model has been sitting around. (On every new car there’s a label that tells the month and year the car was manufactured.) BORROW THE MONEY A ballpark figure helps, but you don’t need to know in advance the exact cost. Banks typically lend about 80%. Or you may be able to get a better financing setup from the dealer or your employee credit union. The shorter the term, and the bigger your down payment, the iower your interest. Ask if the lender charges any fees to make the loan, and whether you can get a cheaper rate by making a bigger down payment. Try to avoid shopping in spring or summer — the fever is greatest then, so it’s a seller’s market. WHEEL AND DEAL This is the fun part, provided you can handle a salesperson who is under pressure from the man- ager to ‘‘move the iron.’’ Take a friend along for moral support (preferably one who owns a car). When you are ready, make it clear you want to buy a car ‘‘to- day.’’ That’s the word that gets you noticed, and if you’ve been to several dealers, you can g0 elsewhere unless you get a fair There are seven basic keys to follow when buying a car shake. “Don't talk price to start with,"’ says John Fabian of the American Automobile Assaciation (AAA). *‘He'll know your upper spending limit and push you to it.’ CONSIDER LEASING "'83 BUICK REGAL LTD. Before vou shell out $2,000 or more for a down payment on that new Saab, you might want to consider leasing the very same vehicle. Even if you can manage a siz- able sum (none is needed when you lease), you might be better off investing it rather than losing it on depreciation. And if you don’t have the cash, then leasing becomes not only attractive bur necessary. PROTECT YOUR ASSETS 1 Owner, Fully Loaded. Stk.#91475A SWEEP PRICE '88 MAZDA CAB PLUS Pwr Steering, Cassette, Jump, Seats. Clean. Chrysler Mogi Wogon. 7 poss, V6, ‘ain Cond, AM/FM, casssttes, heavy duty suspension. 9% Financing or $1,000 cath back, 5 Door, Liftback, Aulo Driver Side Airbag Indy Red. Once you have your wheels, make sure you don’t lose them. A thief can steal you car in less time than it takes to read_ this paragraph (30 seconds). Distributed by the Los Angeles Time Syndicate. ‘91 CHRYSLER LEBARON Convertible, Air Cond., V6, Tilt & Cruise Stk. #7292 200, 5 Spd., 3 Year Full Coverage Warranty.