Buying a Car

Here is a wealth of information to help you buy a used car, truck, or SUV! Don't make costly mistakes--get the car you want, at a price you can afford!

>>>> Or search over 600,000 used car bargains right now!

Tips for buying a new or used car

Don't be overwhelmed by the task of shopping for a new or used car. Here are tips for budgeting, researching the car and insurance costs, choosing color and trim options, finding a dealer, negotiating techniques, saving money, and signing on the dotted line. >> MORE

Used car inspection checklist

Use this handy checklist while inspecting a used car. Remember that little annoyances today can grow into huge disturbances tommorow. Includes tips on checking exterior, tires, suspension, interior, and under the hood. >> MORE

Used car test drive checklist

Use this handy checklist when you are test driving a used car. Includes tips on checking driveability, suspension, brakes, comfort equipment, and so on. >> MORE

How to find the right used car

Used car prices are down, but there are still traps you can avoid by following our tried and true advice. >> Find a good used car

What makes a "certified" used car?

Are certified used cars better? Are they worth the extra $1,000 they are often marked up? >> Certified used cars

Vehicle design provides most safety benefit

The IIHS argues that vehicle design improvements are the main reason for recent declining death rates. ---PDF--- >> MORE

Today's cars performing much better in frontal offset crashes

The IIHS has decided to stop performing frontal crash tests. That's good news! because the reason is manufacturers have improved tremendously. ---PDF--- >> MORE

Cars lasting longer than ever

The junking of cars in the USA is slowing. Historic low scrappage rates last year, plus the increasing median age of vehicles--to 9 years--is good news for car buyers. >> MORE

Is the car industry nuts?

As car manufacturers introduce new car models, they are acting more strangely by the week. Contradictions abound, even within one company. >> MORE

10 safest cars for 2006

New crash tests conducted by the IIHS have led to awards for safety for 10 cars--large, mid-sized, and small. ---PDF--- >> MORE

Take your car on vacation

If you are one of those who tends to bond with your car, consider buying your next new car in Europe, and picking it up yourself. >> MORE

Pssst: wanna (not) buy a stolen car?

Here are some tips from UsedCars.biz on how you can avoid being scammed by con artists who sell stolen cars that have cloned VINs. >> MORE

Should I buy or lease?

Making the right decision about car buying or leasing is a matter of your personal desires, values, and current financial status. Here are tips from UsedCars.biz. >> MORE

Dealer invoice pricing--tricky

Knowing the price the dealer pays the factory is easy to find on the Internet, but you can still pay too much for a car ... or demand too low a price from a dealer. >> MORE

How is the car-buying process changing?

Traditional car dealerships are changing too slowly to keep up with the ease of use of the Internet. >> MORE

Your car in the future?

Will your future car be able to fly? Or are more mundane computer and safety enhancements in store? >> MORE

Payment driven car lease

Cheap cars don't always carry cheap lease rates, because resale value affects lease prices, too. This service may help in your decision-making. >> MORE

What's your car's re-sale value?

Do you know how much your car is worth? Most consumers don't consider the resale value of a car they are shopping for. But a new service makes that process easier. >> MORE

Are certified used cars for you?

Certified used cars have grown in popularity with manufacturers, and one industry player has rated them. >> MORE

Demand for SUVs falls

High gas prices and preference for cars have slowed SUV sales considerably. >> MORE

Cloned cars

Ever wonder where all those stolen cars go? Well, most of them end up back on the used car sales lot, or in a private sale. Here's our tips to avoid buying one. >> MORE

The quality surprise

Does country of origin matter anymore? It's no longer easy to single out high-quality cars by national origin. Once-derided Korean-built cars and trucks have recently scored better than American and European vehicles in Initial Quality--though they still suffer after 3 years of use. >> MORE

Depreciation can be dilemma

Looking for a good investment? Don't buy a new car. However, if you insist on owning one, check out a new service that predicts your car's resale value. >> MORE

Battle for interior space

Is your car full? From telematics to back-seat entertainment systems, the vehicle is becoming a mobile media center. But most cars lack space for all the new gizmos on offer, so there is a silent battle going on for interior room. >> MORE

Hi Ho silver is safer

Silver colored cars and trucks remain the most popular, and recent research on crash data in New Zealand indicates that silver may also be a safer color. >> MORE

Sticker price fiction

Every car buyer keeps watch on the MSRP--the "sticker price." For the savvy buyer, it's the place from which negotiations begin, but (sadly) for a surprising number of less educated buyers, it's the price they pay, no questions asked. >> MORE

Getting the most for your car dollar

Looking for a new car? Here are the 18th annual Best Overall Value of the Year Awards from over 1,000 vehicle models. The analysis considers price, depreciation, maintenance, repairs, fuel, fees, financing, and insurance. Toyota, Honda, and Chevrolet take some top awards. >> MORE

Car consumers are being watched

Car manufacturers are increasingly studying car consumer habits, using survey techniques to gauge future production needs. But automotive consumers are proving to be fickle, and hard to pin down. >> MORE

Savvy car shoppers use Internet

The Internet is influencing auto buying decisions, according to researchers who found that nearly one-half of new-vehicle buyers in 2003 say the Internet affected their make/model purchase decision. >> MORE

Ten reasons to go ahead, buy that classic car

The robust health of the old car hobby is evidenced by the ever-growing participation and attendance at classic car shows and auctions around the country. Here's why there's never been a better time for you to join the millions who have made their dreams of owning a piece of the past come true. >> MORE

How to buy a new car

Which do you dread the most: buying a new car or visiting the dentist? For the average person, they may be equally painful. But buying a car or truck can be a very rewarding experience, if you follow these tips for anyone who is venturing into the showrooms in search of a new vehicle. >> MORE