Say, “bargain hunting” to some people and their eyes sparkle. Add “cheap used cars for sale” and the sparkle dims. You can almost feel the fear. Finding used cars is always easy. Finding one you want to drive, feel safe in and that you can afford, may not be so simple. Shopping for a car is intimidating to the uninformed. Even if you know a bit about cars, the used car world seems fraught with cloaked pits and hidden monsters. It’s hard to tell by looking at a car whether it’s alright or whether it has hidden flaws. You’ve convinced yourself, perhaps rightly so, that the person who knows the most about it, the sales person, is far more interested in making a sale than in making sure you get the best car you can at a price you can afford. Finding a good, cheap used car for sale is possible with some education.

Sales professionals know that a major purchase is an emotional experience for the buyer. Good ones use this information to help the buyer stay objective about their choices. Bad ones use it to take advantage. Your best protection is knowing in advance what type of car will meet your driving needs. Will be you doing a lot of city driving? Then that hot sports car with stick shift that looks so cool on the lot will not make you happy in rush hour. If money is tight, not only will you want to save money on your purchase, but on all the gas you’ll put in it. Be sure to balance price with fuel efficiency if you still want to feel good about your purchase in six months.

New car dealerships usually have a used car department. While they will be more expensive than other avenues, they have quality standards to which they are required to adhere. They also want you to return when you’re in the market for a new car or another used car. They’ve likely been in business along time and want to stay that way. There are used car dealers, including national chains, car rental companies and leasing companies. These are subject to laws and regulations from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that require them to disclose certain facts about the car and the deal. One common misconception is that all FTC complying dealerships must give each buyer a 3-day cooling off period in which they can change their mind about the purchase. While this right can be granted it is not automatic.

If you’re really motivated to save money, you might think a car auction is the way to go. Sometimes great bargains can be found at auctions. With readily available internet and time to browse an auction before bidding, research a vehicle’s history before you buy it. Reputable sellers will offer the report themselves and have no issue should you choose to verify it by your own means. Many storm damaged vehicles find their way into car auctions masquerading as a deal that’s too good to be true. A vehicle history report should help you purchases like flood damaged vehicles or cars that have been in accidents. One more thing to watch out for is the potential “buyer’s premium.” This can be as much as 10% of the winning bid. Figure this into the deal when doing your final math.

It may seem strange, but bring a meat thermometer and a magnet to your appointment with the private seller. Be sure to make your appointment in daylight hours and with plenty of time for a good visual once over and a test drive. If the car has air conditioning, use the meat thermometer to test it. Place it in the middle-most vent in the front of the car and turn the air conditioning on full blast. A temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit is pretty cold. The magnet might help you determine, on an otherwise steel-bodied vehicle, if the body is more body compound than steel. This would indicate some pretty serious previous damage. Perform some web research for other great checklists to use when buying from a private seller.

Don't automatically think that dealer financing is the best you can do. Be sure to shop around as much for your car loan as you do for the car. If your credit is good, always check with your bank first. With credit as tight as it has been, it may be difficult to find the right financing. There are great car loan calculators available online. Know what kind of payment is comfortable for you and the likely financing you’ll get. Being prepared before you shop will make the shopping experience less terrifying and the ultimate purchase satisfying for a long time to come.