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TCPL Home > Adult Reference Services > Subject & Research Guides > Motor Vehicle Information
Motor Vehicle Information: (Cars, Motorcycles, Boats, Airplanes): Ratings, Reviews, Repairs, Buying and Selling
Tompkins County Public Library offers numerous resources for patrons wishing to find up-to-date information on new and used vehicles. If you need help locating or navigating any of these, please stop by the Reference Desk to talk with us or contact us.
Databases
Searching the Catalog
The Polaris online catalog allows you to find books and magazines at our library, as well as request them from other libraries in the Finger Lakes Library System. There are many options for searching, such as keyword, title, author, subject, general notes, publisher, genre, series, etc. The Advanced search page lets you combine terms and set limits to your search. If you're not sure which search terms to use, try "browsing" by title, author, subject, series, or call number. Suggested subject headings for motor vehicles are listed below:
Reference Librarians are happy to show you how to search the catalog and to suggest titles. Be sure to stop by the Reference Desk or contact us anytime you need help.
Books
Tompkins County Public Library offers many titles on the subject of motor vehicles, including repair, maintenance, careers, and purchasing. The following list highlights a few of them.
- Car Buyer's and Leaser's Negotiating Bible by Bragg, W. James (William James) Call Number: 629.222 Bragg
Tips on car buying and leasing, including web searching and tricks.
- Chilton's Auto Repair Manual. Call Number: 629.287 (Depending on year, you'll find these manuals in the regular Non-fiction, Oversize and/or Reference sections of the library.)
If you want to see a complete list of what editions we have, try searching the catalog for "Chilton's" in the "Title."
- Clymer's Powersport Vehicle Blue Book. Call Number: INDREF 629.22 Clymer 2004 Fall/Winter
The Fall/Winter Edition covers September 1, 2004-February 28, 2005.
It includes information on snowmobiles, personal watercraft, transport trailers, and motorcycles, and you'll find manufacturer's addresses. Look for it at the Consumer Information Desk (behind the Adult Reference Desk.)
- Edmund's New Cars & Trucks, Buyer's Guide: 2005 Annual. Call Number: INDREF 629.22 New 2005
The 2005 Annual provides information on top-rated and fuel efficient models, including comparison charts, ratings, and safety information.
- Edmund's Used Cars & Trucks, Buyer's Guide (2005 Edition). Call Number: INDREF 629.22 Used 2005
The latest 2005 edition covers vehicles 1995-2004 and provides detailed model histories, photos and buying advice (including "how to buy a car online" and "Used Car Best Bets for 2005.") Check the Internet Resources listed below for the Edmund's Website.
- NADA Official Older Used Car Guide. Call Number: DESKREF 629.22 N
The latest edition covers passenger cars and light-duty trucks manufactured 1986-1997. Ask for this at the Adult Reference Desk. For online information, check the NADA Website, which is listed under Internet Resources.
- NADA Official Used Car Guide. Call Number: DESKREF 629.22 N
The latest edition covers passenger cars and light-duty trucks manufactured 1998-2005. Ask for this at the Adult Reference Desk. For online information, check the Internet Resources, which are listed below, for the NADA Website.
- New York State Commercial Driver's Manual : Class A, B & C Licenses. Call Number: TEST 351.076 Commercial 1998
This book is located in the "Test" area of the Reference section. For availability, please check the library's Polaris catalog.
 Look for new items on the "New Nonfiction" shelves near the front of the library. When searching the Polaris Catalog for recently acquired items, use the "Sort by" menu and select "Publication date."
Magazines
You'll find current paper copies of magazines on the display cases in the reading area on the Green Street side of the Library. Lift the display case windows to find most recent back issues; older back issues (up to 3 years) are shelved in the green storage boxes on the shelves. To search for and within magazines online, follow this link to the A-to-Z Index: Magazines & Newspapers @ TCPL Online & Paper.
- Auto Week The library has a print subscription to this weekly magazine covering the past three years.
- Car and Driver Monthly issues of Car and Driver magazine covering the past three years are available in print at the library.
- Consumer Reports The library has issues of Consumer Reports available in print and electronic forms. Each April, Consumer Reports issues the latest rankings and ratings of vehicles. Ask a librarian at the Adult Reference Desk for the April issue for the current year. Otherwise, check the Consumer Information table directly behind the Reference Desk.
- Hot Rod is available in electronic form only.
- Motortrend is available in print and electronic form. We shelve the past three years of Motortrend in paper form in the Adult Periodicals section of the library. Please check our catalog for details. Type the name of the magazine in the search box.
Materials in other formats (Audiobooks, VHS, DVDs, CDs, microfilm and/or microfiche)
- Mitchell Manuals on microfiche provides information for selected, imported and domestic cars, trucks and light vans as far back as 1966. The microfiche cabinets and readers are located at the back of the library. Contact a reference librarian for help finding these materials and/or using the microfiche machines.
Internet Resources
- CarPrices.com, http://www.carprices.com/
Research car specs, ratings, price quotes, rebates and incentives, buy and sell your car, crash ratings, virtual showroom, and owners guide information.
- Cars.com, http://www.cars.com
Sell your car, advice and services, used car values, search for used cars, get a price quote from a dealer, car reviews, car repair, finance and insurance information.
- Edmunds, http://www.edmunds.com
Determine True Market Value, see what others are paying for new and used vehicles in your area, find new and used prices and reviews, best car lists, become an informed consumer, comparison shop, and read complete advice on how to buy and sell a vehicle.
- Invoice Dealers, http://www.invoicedealers.com/
Use the InvoiceDealers system to choose your new vehicle quickly and conveniently This service puts you in touch with an InvoiceDealers Certified Dealer in your area, who will contact you within 24 hours with a firm Internet price and vehicle availability.
- Insure.com, http://info.insure.com/auto/index.html
This website offers help and advice on buying auto insurance and choosing a safe car.
- Kelly Blue Book, http://www.kbb.com/
Get blue book used car trade-in and private party values, new car previews, new car pricing, motorcycle, personal watercraft and snowmobile trade-in and retail values, buying and selling tips, and tools, tips and buying guides.
- Lemon Laws, http://www.autosafety.org/lemonlaws.php
Find out what the state and federal lemon laws are and what assistance is available.
- Librarians' Index to the Internet : Automobiles, http://lii.org/pub/topic/automobiles
Librarians' Index to the Internet has compiled an alphabetical subject index of websites relating to cars -- from "air bags" to "winter driving."
- NADAguides.com, http://www.nadaguides.com/
Get new and used car prices, (as well as motorcycles, boats, and recreational vehicles.) Build your dream car with all the options, compare models side-by-side, get MSRP and invoice pricing, find a local car dealer, or calculate loan and lease payments. Read the latest new car reviews and previews.
Contact Information:
- Adult Reference Services (607) 257-4556
- Youth Reference Services: (607) 272-4557 x276
- You can submit your question via the web to: Ask-A-Librarian
Do you have a suggestion or suggestion for further pathfinder topics? Let us know! Send comments or suggestions to jwheatley@tcpl.org.
Updated 6/18/07 by jw
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