The moment you get your driver’s license, it is always coupled with the responsibility of safely operating the vehicle on the road. You are now officially authorized to drive your car!

But what good is a license without your own car? You wouldn’t want to constantly  borrow your mom’s truck time and again, would you? Of course, you want to own a car and drive it yourself. Now owning a car is quite different from borrowing that of your mom’s. With the authority to drive your truck, comes the obligation for the maintenance, insurance, and monthly amortization, not to mention the accessories you would want for your car. 

Parents of new drivers would usually recommend buying good used cars for their children because it is more affordable than brand new cars. Consequently, a few questions must be considered here. For instance, is the new driver a teenager and still in school? Will the car be used on special trips? Will it be used for cargoes? Why does he needs a car and for what purpose? For whatever reason, it is settled that everyone needs a safe vehicle before hitting the road. At any rate, there are used cars that still operate in good condition and at the same time are affordable. The following suggestions below might be helpful for your fist good used car.

My top 3 used cars are:

• Ford – Used Focus Sedan or Taurus

• Honda – The Accord and Civic are driver friendly; good for first time owners and short travels

• Toyota – More than forty years and counting, Toyota has produces Corolla, a powerful car designed for  in-town transport

There are still more models available parents can choose from. Just be alert and vigilant on the latest trends and prices. With patience, you will surely find a good used cars 

Finding a good used car in your local area is a smart way to address one’s transportation needs without spending more than one needs to. Looking in your immediate area is a smart way to shop, as the time spent traveling to far-flung used car dealerships can eat away a t your free time.  Another option is to seek out auctions, like those offered by banks or the occasional private seller offering a fabulous deal on the car they no longer need.

Many shoppers begin their search with classified ads in their local newspaper.  These cars are generally being offered by private owners along with announcements of local auctions and ads for dealerships as well.  Knowing the options available in your locale can lead you to a better deal.  If auctions are being offered, often it is possible to contact the auctioneer ahead of time to find out what types of cars are to be offered.  Frequently, larger auction houses will have well-designed website listing the makes and models of cars to be sold at a given auction.

The local bank can also be helpful in finding yourself a quality used car. Repossessed cars are sold off by the banks when the original owner fails to make payments on their loan.  By selling the confiscated car, the bank hopes to turn a quick

profit on their investment, and frequently offers great deals on these vehicles to be rid of them.  Buying a repossessed car is a specialized kind of used car purchase, and can lead to getting a fabulously good deal on a recent model.

Online searches can also be a great way to find local used cars for sale.  By doing some research online, one can learn about the cars being offered and compare various makes and models to ensure that the car being purchased is right for your needs.  Sites such as Ebay.com and specialized used car search engines abound with listings of cars available in your local area.  Shopping for a used car from the comfort of your own home can be a good way to take the time to carefully consider your purchase. 

Online services can also share listings of upcoming auctions.  Government seized used cars can be a great value, and are open to the public.  By seeking out information about the local car market in your area, you can reach an informed decision and purchase a quality used car within your budget.  Doing research ahead of time can make the process less frightening and decrease your odds of being unhappy with your purchase.  By being well informed, you can find a cheap used car to fill your transportation needs locally.

Regardless of how you search for a used car – make sure you read our review on what to check and how to avoid scams.

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Finding a good used car is not easy. You are never quite sure of what you are getting, regardless of if it is from a dealer or an individual. This short article deals with the steps you need to make the right decision.

Not all used cars are problematic. There are always good used cars on the market. These are sold or traded because a leased expired or because the for

mer owner wanted a new (and possibly different) car. Generally speaking these cars have low miles and have been well maintained.

However, plenty of used cars out there are on the market that require costly work and repair.

It is always better to buy a car from an individual because you will have access to the car’s maintenance and repair history. You should be able to see receipts or other proof that the oil & filters were changed regularly, and receipts for any major repairs that have been done recently.

With a car dealer the situation is different as there is no car history available. Even if the necessary paperwork was passed on to the car dealer, many dealers would throw all them all away to intentionally obscure the history of the vehicle. Unfortunately, lies and tricks are common place when interacting with car dealers.

Make sure you do not get cheated – save thousands of dollars.

What to Check When Inspecting a Used Car

Want to find out if it is a good used car? Always ask for test drive.

You will need to drive a fair distance to better understand how the car handles, rides, brakes and accelerates. Drive with the radio off so that you can hear the car better. Does it start easily? Does it idle smoothly? Does it accelerate without hesitating or stumbling? Do the steering and brakes feel normal? If you have any doubts on the car as you drive it, be it a weird sound, smell or anything else, be sure to walk away.

The next step would be to open the hood and look for obvious problems like oil or coolant leaks.

Check the oil level on the dipstick. If it is low, the engine may be burning or leaking oil. If it is very dark and thick, the engine may not have had the oil changed in a long time.

Next, pull out the transmission dipstick. The fluid should be a pink or red color. If it is dark brown or has a burned smell, the transmission may have problems.

Look at the battery and search for a date code, you will need to replace a battery that is more than four or five years old. Have a better look at the battery posts or terminals. Are they corroded? Do they have gouges or scratches? These are an indication or battery problems and are a sign that the battery might have been jumped.

The odometer reading is very important. Low mileage is the best scenario most times, but it depends if it was done on the Highway or on frequent short trip, stop-and-go driving. A car with 80,000 highway miles would probably be in a better condition than the same car with 50,000 city miles. Keep in mind that the odometer can be tampered with and turned back

Look at the tires. Uneven wear usually means worn suspension parts that could be expensive to replace.

Check that everything works by turning it on and off. This includes the lights, turn signals, air conditioner, power windows (front and rear), power door locks, power seats, wipers, heater, defroster, radio, etc. Anything that is not working means you can negotiate a lower price.

Watch out for water or mud stains on carpeting, on door upholstery, in the trunk and under the hood. With flood damaged vehicles, water can cause long term, chronic and expensive problems with wiring and electronic modules.

What car to buy?

Any year, make and model can be a good or bad one, and so you will have to do some research Luckily it is easy! Check out Center for Auto Safety You will be able to search by make, model, year and type of problem. 

The NHTSA maintains a database of recalls and defects. Go to the NHTSA website and search for any recalls or defect bulletins on the year, make and model of vehicle you are considering buying. 

Consumer Reports is an excellent source for unbiased used car comparisons. They also publish a yearly Used Car Buyers Guide which lists repair and reliability ratings for most makes and models. The repair data is collected on thousands of vehicles and is analyzed to rank vehicles as good buys or not. 

We recommend researching the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to see if the car has had any accidents, been flood damaged or stolen. Investing in the small fee charged for the report is cheap insurance for the problems it can prevent if the car has a questionable history. CarFax is a good web site for such reports.

Two other resources are CarSurvey.org and AutoBeef. Alternatively you can do a search online for the year, make and model of vehicle you are thinking about buying. See what kind of comments the owners of these vehicles have posted about their cars.

Speaking to a trusted mechanic for his thoughts on a particular make or model might be a good idea. At the end of the day, he fixes cars for a living and knows which ones have problems and which ones do not.

Finding good used cars online is a time saver. The Internet allows you to go through many thousands of listings. Obviously you will need to see it or driving it before you buy it. This way you’ll be able to validate the seller’s claims. Let the buyer beware. One word of warning – there are fraudsters who post ads for cars that do not exist. They will ask for a deposit or payment in advance and disappear with your money. Have a look at our ebook and protect yourself from scams.

 Here are a list of of artciles that you may enjoy

• Used Car Questions? What to Ask Yourself before you buy. – Questions you should ask your self before buying a used car to make sure your happy with your purchase now, and in to the future

   

• Best Used Cars Review: Dodge Durango Hybrid Review – The Pros and … – Hybrids are gaining popularity with the steady rise in fuel costs and the growing realization that car emissions are destroying air quality. With the Dodge Durango Hybrid , you will save on fuel and keep your roomy, sporty vehicle . …

• Best Used Cars Review: Overall Review of the Honda Civic Hybrid … – But this car is a development of the next generation, and thus not the first of its kind in the hybrid vehicle domain.

Be wary of car dealers and their tactics when searching for a good used car. 

Here are a list of of artciles that you may enjoy

• BUZZURRO » Blog Archive » Used Car Salesmen Deserve their Bad … – This morning I heard “The most dishonest professions are used car salesmen, used car salesmen and used car salesmen.’ “I don’t believe that old stereotype of the dishonest used car salesman’ I thought to myself. …

• comment on 10 tips for dealing with car salesmen to make sure you … – you car salesmen with the hurt feelings make me laugh. the car business has been dirty for many years and you chose to make your living that way, the very name car “dealer” begs everyone to negotiate with you. …

As new car sales continue to spiral downward, the rise in used car sales is no shocker.  In a study conducted by Manheim Consulting, their Used Vehicle Value Index has reached a record high at 118.5 for the month of September, a 1.8% increase over August’s figures.  After nine months of increases, the Manheim index has extended upwards by 6.9% in the pervious twelve months.

With the increased interest in purchasing used cars over new ones, the available supply of used cars is dwindling.  As fewer people are buying new cars, the trade-ins offered by dealers are not as common as they once were.  The impact of the Cash for Clunkers program has also effect the used car market, as these cars were sent to local car crushers and not offered for sale as used vehicles. September was a big month for used cars. with a smaller supply for used cars in the market – there has been a noticeable increase in fraud and scams. Read more on this here.

The Manheim reports also show inventories being down, in both used and new cars, offering an explanation of the decrease in incentives offered to buyers of new vehicles.  With fewer bonuses and deals being offered on new models, many consumers have taken their search for a new car to the used section of the market.  Increased mileages on the used cars available have been noted, as in January the average used car on auction had 51,000 miles on its odometer, whereas the average is now 63,000 miles.

With fewer used car available on the market and increased mileage on those available, car makers are entertaining bold new volume projections for the coming year.  For more information about the statistics of the automotive marketplace, visit Manheim Consulting and their valuable used vehicle index.

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When considering a large investment like that of a used car, it’s important to enter into the dealings well informed. By taking the time ahead of time to make sure that the deal you’re entering into is a good one, you can save both money and headaches in the future.  As private sellers cannot certify or warranty the used cars they are offering for sale the way dealerships can, it’s okay to ask lots of questions about the upkeep, maintenance and other aspects of the vehicle before agreeing to purchase it.

What should you consider when buying from the owner?

When you approach a used car for sale by its owner, be aware that

you are buying the item as-is.  While certain people do sell used cars with no flaws or reasons to be getting rid of them, possibly just because they’d rather have a newer model, others may be selling a troublesome automobile to be rid of the headaches.  While some states require that an owner disclose any known problems before selling a used car, this also requires you to trust the person who is selling the car.  If you are not comfortable with them, you will not be comfortable with the deal.

Owners can use various methods to put a price on their car, often referring to dealership prices for similar cars as a basis.  While the dealership can offer warranties, guarantees and other protections, the private seller cannot, and their price should thus reflect this.  Customer satisfaction is not an issue to the private seller, as it is with a dealership.  By knowing ahead of time what type of risks you’re taking in dealing with a private individual, you can often negotiate a lower price to balance out the risks.

By taking all these factors into consideration, it may prove to be a better choice to go with a proven dealership rather than a private seller when shopping for a used car. Read more about dealrships and the ways to protect yourself from scamms here.

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Yes, it is possible to find a used car for under five hundred dollars, with the help of  www.cars-under-500-dollars.info

Looking at the automotive market, one can consider new or used for their next car purchase.  Which is better?  Let’s take a look at this from an economic perspective; The new car loses value immediately after leaving the dealer lot.  Cars in general are considered a depreciating asset, meaning they lose value over time.  If any car will lose value over time, why not start with one that’s already lost a little of that value and find a great deal on a fine used car?  Combined with concerns of maintaining the car and its value, a used vehicle can be a smarter option, as the original owner has already taken the biggest decline in its value.  Often in fabulous condition, some still under warranty, and at a much lower cost than a new model, used cars can be a brilliant choice.

Later model cars can be found from many sources, such as used car lots, dealership trade-ins and online.  Places like Carmax specialize in used car sales online, while the popular auction site Ebay.com offers many cars for auction, mostly used.  Auctions can be a great source for used cars, such as those confiscated by police, repossessed by banks or by specialized car auctions.  When a rental car service changes over their fleet, the old cars are often auctioned or sold at very reasonable prices as well.

When looking at used cars, knowing about the Kelly Blue Book value of the model and its fuel economy can be important factors to consider.  Knowing the condition can effect the cost immensely, so be keenly aware of any flaws, problems or troubles with the vehicle before offering a price.  Also, keep in mind that a private seller does not have the overhead of a car dealership, and can more inclined to haggle. It is vital that you educate yourself on this topic to avoid being cheated. Read more about this critical topic here.

Financing a used car is another option, though this generally requires shopping at a dealership.  Better deals can be found if you can save up and purchase the car with cash, and this can save you a considerable amount in the long run.  Whether you’re looking for a luxury car to be proud of or a just a basic point-a-to-point-b ride, being informed and prepared can make the car buying process much easier.

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Driving a used car once carried a social stigma, but things are changing.

Used cars outsell new cars by three to two. i.e., 2/3 of all car sales are used cars. Before buying good used cars we should discover the faults of the c

ar we are interested in buying. A car is made to last about 150,000 miles or longer, on an average. We can calculate the life of a good used car by looking at its odometer. Just deduct the mileage from 150,000 and the number you are left with gives life a car has left. But this will not be always true. Some other factors also determine a car’s life. Neglect, abuse, and accidents can prematurely age a car. In such cases the costs of necessary repairs exceed the original cost of the car. Seller tries to conceal their drawbacks. A buyer should be clever enough to understand a car’s true condition, which is not an easy task.  

Nowadays internet acts as a source of information about vehicles and it helps ordinary people a lot. It even contains information about a specific vehicle you buy. A more informed buyer is less likely to make bad deal on the wrong car. So a thorough knowledge about good used cars is necessary before buying it. 

There are both advantages and disadvantages in buying good used cars. It can provide years of comfortable, reliable transportation. We can make our dollar flexible if we go for a good  used car rather than a new car. We can buy a greater selection of options and accessories in small dollars for a good used car. The maintenance items will also be less expensive. We can buy a good used car of 2 to 3 years old which is still in prime condition than buying a new compact.

The pros and cons of buying good used cars can be summed up as:

Pros:

• Initial price is less

• More selection within price range

• Many options and no extra cost for the options

• Depreciation is less

• Insurance is not expensive

Cons:

• Quantity is unknown – Read more on this on our special review on used car dealerships

• Minimal guarantee or no guarantee

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The Japanese have long been known for building quality automobiles. This devotion to quality products is also available used, at a reduced cost when compared to new models. These inexpensive yet safe and reliable used cars choices offer fuel efficient engines, safety features and graceful design for a reasonable price. A leader in new technologies, Japan has advanced the automotive market and driven innovations to new heights. With nice handling, comfortable interiors and high MPG ratings, Japanese cars can be a great choice when considering a used truck, van or sedan.

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