Welcome,

NAVIGATION

	Introduction
	Step 1: Starting out - Why buy used?
	Step 2: Choosing the right used car.
	Step 3: Save money by buying second-tier cars.
	Step 4: Research your prospective used car.
	Step 5: How much can you afford?
	Step 6: Set up financing for your used car.
	Step 7: Where to shop for your used car.
	Step 8: Test driving a used car.
	Step 9: Negotiating for a used car.
	Step 10: Closing the deal.
	Checklist

PHOTOS

(Enlarge photo)
Buying a used car means you can afford a model with more luxury and performance. Also, you will avoid the 20 to 30 percent depreciation suffered by new car buyers. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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10 Steps to Buying a New Car
10 Steps to Buying a Used Car
10 Steps to Finding the Right Car for You
Confessions of a Car Salesman
How to Get a Used Car Bargain

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10 Steps to Buying a Used Car

Step 1: Starting out — Why buy used?
By Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor
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If you've decided to buy a used car, you've already made a smart decision. You can get a car that's almost as good as a brand-new one without paying for the depreciation that wallops new car buyers as soon as they drive the car off the lot. Even cars that are only a year old are 20-30 percent cheaper than brand-new cars.

But there are other good reasons to buy a used car:

You'll save money on insurance.
Bigger bargains are possible for the smart used car shopper.
Used cars are more reliable today than ever before.
Some used cars are still under the factory warranty.
Most new carmakers now sell certified used cars, which include warranties.
The history of a used car can easily be traced using the vehicle identification number (VIN).
If you buy from a private party, the negotiation process is less stressful.

Previous | Next

More Buying Articles

10 Steps to Buying a New Car
The following steps will tell you how to locate, price and negotiate to buy the car you want.

10 Steps to Buying a Used Car
The following steps will tell you how to locate, price and negotiate to buy the used car you want.

10 Steps to Finding the Right Car for You
The following steps are devoted to helping you select, price, locate and test drive the vehicle that is best for you.

Confessions of a Car Salesman
What happens when a veteran automotive writer goes undercover as a car salesman? We sent our own Chandler Phillips to work at two Southern California dealerships and he came back to tell about it.

How to Get a Used Car Bargain Part One
In the second part of this series, we'll discuss Steps 3 and 4: how to locate your target cars and how to test drive and evaluate them.


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