… You need to buy a car, whatever might be the reason. However, y ou don’t have the money, the need, or maybe the ‘ want ’ , to buy a brand- new vehicle straight out of the new lineup at the dealers . This means that you are in the market for a used car, sure, but it does not mean that you will buy any old thing and you want to ensure you don’t end up with a lemon or a clunker.

So, given that you want the best possible deals on a used car, and the nicest car you can manage to afford, where should you start your research? Should you just go one or two of the local used car dealerships near your home or place of work? Should you get on Craigslist or eBay, or Auto Trader or Car Gurus? Or should you buy from a known person, and hope that gives you an advantage? Have you considered whether you want a certified pre owned car from a certified dealer which will afford you some extra benefits? With so much choice and so many questions that need answering, it is clear that there is research to be done and decisions to be made.

Start online. If nothing else, seeing what all is available will help you figure out what is most important to you, from features and bells and whistles, to pricing and age and mileage of the vehicle. Once you have some clarity on this basis of wading through the listings on the aggregator sites, your next step should be to go to the more expert opinion resources, in order to determine what the right value and pricing should be for the kind of vehicle you are looking to buy. This includes checking Kelley Blue Book values, reading recommendations and lists and going through car reviews. Have a car enthusiast in the family? Talk to him or her too. Or if you are lucky enough to know or be friends with a trustworthy mechanic, all the better.

Next, for the purposes of research and recon, you can talk to the local dealers and see what prices and perks, as well as finance options, they are willing to offer you. The key to getting a great deal on used cars is to know your stuff, be willing to bargain, and also shop around a bit. … …