flooddamaged

Low car inventory, microchip crunch, flood-damaged lemons explained

By Betty C. Morrow 2 weeks ago

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Car shoppers are frustrated by new models held up in cargo ship delays off the California coast while second-hand scammers in the used-car market create nightmares for bargain hunters.

But the market is set to right itself soon, says Rick Ricart, president of Ricart Automotive who gave tips to NBC4 on what to look for in a used or new car — and avoid scammers.

Low inventory and delays for new cars

“Luckily, I think we’re finally on the uphill climb back to supplies normalizing at some point in the future.” Vehicles are stuck off the coast, says Ricart. “We are having a very difficult time getting some of our imported vehicles to the lot. We know that there were a lot of vehicles that were built in Korea, Japan, and the like that are on container ships,

… Read More

Hurricane Ida: What to know about flood-damaged cars

By Betty C. Morrow 2 months ago

Thousands of cars are expected to be damaged by the flood waters caused by Hurricane Ida in the southeast United States, many beyond repair.

(Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Both owners and insurers will have to deal with the aftermath and decide what to do with the vehicles, while car shoppers need to keep a wary eye for any totaled vehicles that end up on the used market illegally. The current high demand for used cars may compound the issue.

Here are a few things all of the affected parties need to know:

Q: SHOULD I START MY CAR IF IT’S BEEN FLOODED?

A: No, in almost all cases. If the car was only in a few inches of water that didn’t rise past the bottom of the body, maybe. Water higher than that can get into wires, transmission parts, the exhaust or other places. Deeper water could enter the cylinders that

… Read More