10 Things You Need To Know When Buying A Used Car

1) A used car is *not* a new car, Remember that. Very simple concept, take it easy on the other party about wear and tear, it's there! It's used!

2) Drive it! I have heard of some successful buys "sight un-seen" from Ebay or what ever but really! This is the 2nd largest investment you will make so go see it and drive it! Bring a friend! Turn stereo off, tell talkative seller to chill, listen to noise go with your senses!

3) CARFAX is not the bible! Accidents under $500 or ones that just didn’t get called in will not be on there. Tap body for bondo work, look for different shades of color to show clue of repainting. Just remembers CARFAX is only one tool to be used in the successful purchase of a used car.

4) Get you local mechanic to do a "pre-buy" inspection! *your* mechanic *not* the sellers. You should pay no more than $80-120 for a "one over inspection". If the selling party will not let you; pass on the purchase!

5) Look for annoying after market items installed that can cause trouble later... modified intake manifolds ( for racing ), after market alarms can drain batteries and leave you stranded. High tech stereos and the battery mods can be bad for you later! Ask selling party to remove these items that can cause electrical problems later! Get it inspected!

6) It's a bad market out there! The cars with good MPG may be going for top dollar! Good commuter cars for under $10k are rare! But it's a BUYERS market, if you can, offer and pay $1-2 under or the wholesale price. Not too many cars are going to go for top dollar high kelly blue book. Wheel n deal, it's your money! If it is really nice and you feel good about it, pay close to high kelly blue book only if it is an "in-demand" hot hot car. AND as long as...( see #7 )

7) If you can buy a new one for $2000 more DO IT! A lot of good Honda's and Toyota's, you can buy a new one at invoice at a dealership these days no problem, even below invoice...so why pay $16k for a used civic when you can get new one for $18k ? Think about it, work your connections and feel free to abuse the dealers’ sales reps, they live for it.

8) The neighbor’s car!? Well better to not deal with friends and neighbors old clunkers! Need I say more? Unless it's like $500-1000 for your teenagers first car well then that may be all right!

9) Remember the Kelly Blue Book can be confusing. Take NOTE: Dealer Retail is the same as "High" Kelly Blue Book Private Party and Dealer Wholesale is "Low" Kelly Blue Book. It's all th same dont be fooled.

10) Never trade-in your car to the dealer! Or don’t take first or second trade-in bid; it's always low low low. Sell on your own is best. Honda's / Toyotas / Nissan go for mid to high KBB... Lots of cars are fair at $2k below wholesale on the private market, the dealer will go even farther back! Sell it on your own!