Similar to buying a new car, research, research, and more research is the key to getting the best mix of the car you want and/or need.  Edmunds is the place for unbiased independent car reviews.  The following links will get you started:

Edmunds Car reviews

Edmunds Consumer Discussions

Used Vehicle Pricing Calculator
(get the market value of your desired vehicle)

The cost of a car is probably the single greatest barrier to driving home in your vehicle of choice, aside from not having your car in the color you want or receiving a recall notice.  Our calculators can help!

Use the first calculator to figure your payments on your next vehicle or use the second calculator to determine how much vehicle you can purchase for the payment you want.

Click here for calculators

Tips: 

• Don't forget to add in insurance payments.

• Don't forget to add-in the trade-in value of your current car if you are trading it in.  To get an idea of what your trade-in value will be check our the Used Car Appraiser.  Depending on what the dealer is willing to give you for your trade-in, you might want to sell the car yourself.  In the past this has always been a nightmare, but the Consumer Guide® Auto Seller's Kit which makes it as simple as 1-2-3.
  
  Beware of dealers that pay-off your current loan.  They are not "helping you out".  They are simply adding the balance to your new loan.  So now your $5,000 car costs $10,000.

Check the listings!!!!

Getting used car listings can be a daunting task, but the Net makes it simple.  Bottomlinedeals.com's free car locator service can search for new or used cars in your area.

Click here to search for used cars in your area.

The Big Lot also has a mechanism to ask the seller to tell you the VIN of the vehicle.  I would recommend doing this so that you can check the history of the car.  Experian Automotive provides free vehicle history reports so that you don't get stuck with a lemon.  Remember, surprises are for birthday parties not Used car Buyers.  

VIN:

Credit and Financing

If you need to get financing for your new used car, then it will help to take a look at your credit report and make sure that everything is in order.

Click here to get a free copy of your credit report and make sure everything is order.

Lending Tree is probably the best place to get quotes in this arena.  They will get up to four different quotes from different lenders from which you can choose.  This is very important as I explain in the Financing section.  There is nothing like the power to choose.  Click below to get offers.

Car Insurance

Do not overlook insurance.  You can't drive that beautiful vehicle off the lot without it.  The cost of insurance should be factored into the total cost of ownership of the car.  Keep in mind that the type of car can determine how much you spend on auto insurance.   Insurance should be shopped for in the same way you shop for a vehicle, and at the heart of this strategy is multiple quotes.  Click here for free Auto Insurance Quotes.

Also, The more expensive the car the more insurance is needed also the theft rate of the vehicle will be a factor as well as accident information. For more information check out the Insurance page.

The following links have car theft ratings:

• Top 100 Most Commonly Stolen Vehicles in 2001

• Top 10 Most Commonly Stolen Vehicles in 2001 by State

• Top 10 Most Commonly Stolen Vehicles in 2001 by Metropolitan Statistical Area

The following links have car safety ratings:

• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Also,  If you are deciding between different models take a look at reports of average theft and insurance ratings.

Extended Warranties

Just a few years ago the only place that you could purchase an extended warranty for your car was at the dealership. But the internet has changed all that and now there are many options available and often the dealership plan is not the best decision.  If you have ever taken your to get repaired, you know that the dealers bumper-to-bumper warranty is not enough.    

Warrantybynet.com offers extended warranty plans that are both affordable and comprehensive.  Their plans just can't be beat for the price.  You don't have to take my word for it, just click below and use their free quote service to see for yourself.