1. Before buying any car compare the sellers price with the average retail price in a " bluebook " or other guide to car prices. Also check the National Automobile Dealers Association at http://www.nada.org. You also should check http://www.kbb.com or your public library.
2. Buy from friends you know and trust. It's a good idea to buy a used car from a friend who will be upfront about a cars problems. Friends are more likely to give you a good deal anyway. Be cautious when buying from private owners because the condition of their car is not guaranteed. Most sellers don't keep maintenance records. When buying from private owners your shopping at your own risk. My best advice is that you get a mechanic you know you can trust to examine the car.
3. Check to see if the car was ever in a serious accident. Some used cars are rebuilt after being "totaled".
4. Get the cars history at the following websites:
You'll pay a small fee but it's certainly worth it. All you'll need is the car's vehicle identification number. Your report will reveal some truly money saving facts like: accident history, flood or fire damages, and whether the car was stolen or used as a taxi.
5. Check to see if there are any Early Warning Reporting Notices (EWR) submitted for the vehicle. Go to http://www.safercar.gov to investigate.
6. Watch your step and be careful when purchasing from online auction sites. Once you get that car your stuck with your purchase.
7. Spend some time on http://www.autopedia.com. Autopedia is a free automotive encyclopedia. Catagories on the site include:
- Automotive News from Around the World
- Warranty, Repair and Service Tips that Save you Money
- Extensive Used Car Buyers Checklist
- Best Buys on Auto Insurance
- Hot Link Pages for Hard to Find Automotive Information
- Tips on Automotive Repair and Easy Do it Yourself Guides.
8. Find out as much as you can about fixing a used car yourself. Even if you don't do your own repairs, you'll be armed with information that will prevent you from being scammed. The following sites will give you a head start on becoming Mr. or Mrs. Fix-It:
http://www.aircondition.com Repair Site
http://www.autoeducation.com Easy Do-It-Yourself Tips and Tricks
http://www.carcarecouncil.com Maintenance Training
http://www.lorensauto.com Car Care and Driving Tips
9. Spend a few hours on the following website and read " 56 Most Important Tips & Tricks for All Things Automotive. Go here: http://www.highwayone/Article.html. The list includes hints and helps for new as well as used car owners around the globe.
10. Spy on/or join car forums for inside info on deals and common problems. Consumers gather in forums to converse, get social and share pertinent information. If your looking for a honda accord forum, just do a web search. Whatever type of car your buying, there's a good chance a forum has been set up for it. You'll find that car owners have a lot to blab about in these lively forums. They'll comment about problems they've had, and possible deals in you area. Car forums are THE place to go when researching a specific model. You'll meet some very enthusiastic folks who know way more about a car than dealerships.
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