We often buy used cars because our finance swill not stretch to a brand new one – in the perfect world we would all buy brand new! This isn’t possible and I think it is essential that people can shop for used cars confidently without worry of getting ripped off.

What follows are my essential 14 tips for ensuring that you buy the used car that is perfect for you and that you don’t overspend while you are at it.

• Work out how much you have to spend on the car itself – this is your figure and stay solid with it
• Know how much the peripheral costs will be – insurance tax, maintenance
• Know what it is the car will be used for, long distance or shirt distance
• Know what sort of car you are looking for – don’t get pulled into any clever sales patter
• Know the going price of any car you are looking at – this will give you a head start on negotiating the best price
• Shop around
• If you are going to a car dealership check out their reputation beforehand
• If you are buying from the paper or privately take someone with you who knows their stuff
• Check all the documentation surrounding the car
• If you are unsure of anything, walk away
• Check for rust, damage and other visible problems
• Take the car for a test drive
• Haggle and barter – you may get the price down substantially
• Get a HPI check

When starting to shop for a used car you can’t go too far wrong if you follow these incredibly simple 14 tips. Not only will they give you a headstart on the used car dealer but the preparation will stop you from impulse buying a used car that isn’t right for you and your lifestyle. If possible you should always take a long a friend or family member with you who knows about cars to ensure that it runs smoothly and the used car you are buying is not a banger!

If you are looking for a new or used car there are a number of options available to you, as a purchaser, where you can go look for one. You can always peruse the used car sales ads in the local newspaper or at various on line websites. You can go visit and perhaps test drive a new car at a new car sales lot. Or you can attend a used car or equipment auction. The general public doesn’t usually know this but used construction equipment auctions generally have a few used cars included in the auction. However the choices are generally pretty limited. Usually the owner’s wife’s car or the sales staff vehicle. Another option is that you can visit one or more used car lots.

New car lots sell their own brand, or perhaps several brands of new cars. They also may sell the trade-ins they take when they have successfully sold a new car. Sometimes they will consign these trade-ins to a wholesale car auction house that then puts on a wholesale vehicle auction on a regular basis.

Used car lots don’t take in only one brand of vehicle. They may specialize in a particular type of vehicle but they do have an assortment of all types of used or barely used cars for sale on one lot. Some used car lots are huge and have hundreds of vehicles for sale. If you are looking for a used vehicle, it’s fun to visit the various car lots and look and perhaps test drive many different cars.

When you decide to go shopping for a newer car than what you presently own, you need to consider how you are going to pay for it. Also are you going to trade in your old car? Do you have good enough credit to be approved for a car loan? Are you going to make some sort of down payment? All this needs to be decided before actually going in to purchase the car.

At some used car dealers, once the sales person spots you looking, you will be asked to fill out an application for credit right then. In some cases, this will help the sales person or finance office just how much vehicle you can afford. Some dealers will wait until you have looked at several cars before asking you to fill out the credit application.

Ideally, if you have good credit you will have obtained a pre-approved car loan from a third party lender such as a credit union or a bank. Then you can go used car shopping knowing you can negotiate with the sales person and get a better deal on the car.

There is also a network of used car dealers that participate in a form of ‘in house’ financing such as buy here pay here or the acronym BHPH. There are a lot of used cars for sale and lots of options to finance them.

Used cars are available for sale at car rental companies, car repair shops, private party sales and leasing offices. Auctions are now the most popular way to buy and at the same time sell a used car as the auctioneer mostly ends up getting a good re-sale value. Many second hand car showrooms in Melbourne are now offering an advanced driving course so that the car owners interested in buying used cars can now test their vehicles before taking it home. Here in Australia Subaru vehicles have been imported by Subaru Australia since 1973. In recent times Subaru seems to be the top notch brand among most sought after car brands by car owners. Any car expert would suggest that Subaru is the best choice among various competing brands. Subaru since its debut in 1968 has emerged as a frontrunner in popularity among the used car segment, mostly because Subaru cars are known for their long lasting fuel efficient engines. Maintaining a used Subaru is twice as cheap as maintaining a Ford Fiesta or a Honda city.

Due to this reason used Subaru cars have a higher resale value than its competitors. Models such as the Subaru Impreza WRX or a used Subaru Liberty are considered to be the most popular brands among used cars owners. Subaru has maintained its image as the most popular used car brand in the market. You can now easily purchase a used Subaru car online as there are many online retailers authorized dealers of Subaru. The latest model that scored the highest accolades from the Subaru stable was the Subaru Forrester sports utility vehicle (SUV) which first hit the roads in the 1997. The reason for this high popularity of the used cars could be because Subaru has always been a world leader in high safety standards. And each Subaru car irrespective of its model comes equipped with collision avoidance and collision protection features making it the best choice in the used car market.

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The brand that began America’s love with muscle cars has officially gone out of business, a year after parent company General Motors was forced to phase out some of its cars due to bankruptcy.

Contracts between GM and Pontiac dealers nationwide expired Sunday, ending an iconic brand that was the nation’s third best-seller, behind Chevrolet and Ford, during its heyday in the 1960s.

Pontiac tried to revive its image in the past three decades, but the brand never achieved the same popularity with its cars as it did with its GTO and Firebird Trans Am. First produced by GM in 1926, Pontiac launched one of its last models, the Solstice Coupe, in 2008.

GM, the nation’s largest automaker, announced the end of production of Pontiac last year in its agreement with Congress for federal bailout funds. The restructuring also involved phasing out Hummer, Saab and Saturn, and focusing on Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC as core brands.

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Isle of Skye, United Kingdom (AHN) – British nuclear submarine, HMS Astute dubbed the “world’s most advanced nuclear submarine” has run aground off the coast of the Scotland’s Isle of Skye.

“Astute ran aground by her … stern earlier this morning as she was transferring people ashore,” a Royal Navy spokesman said in published reports.

A Ministry of Defense spokesman also issued a statement saying, “We are aware of an incident involving one of our submarines off the Isle of Skye. This is a not a nuclear incident.

“We are responding to the incident and can confirm that there are no injuries to personnel and the submarine remains watertight. There is no indication of any environmental impact.”

The incident occurred at 8:19 a.m. local time, according to the BBC.

Apparently the Astute was conducting sea trials when the rudder of the vessel is thought to have become stuck on a shingle bank. The Coast guard is on the scene and eyewitnesses say an earlier attempt to tow the submarine failed. A second attempt is scheduled for later today at high tide with the help of a tug boat.

The 323-foot, 7,800 ton Astute, was launched in 2007 and tasked and built to find and sink enemy submarines. The vessel is armed with Spearfish Torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

According to the Royal Navy’s website the Astute is “the Navy’s best,” and “largest and most powerful nuclear attack submarines ever built for the Royal Navy, equipped with the world’s most advanced sonar system.”

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Some people still don’t find any affordable branded automotives. At that time, it’s better to purchase these types of cars from the owners directly. Many times car owners sell their working vehicle, because they may want to buy a new one. Hence, they find these types of sale more preferable. In the countries like United States, Australia, Japan and Russia, owners regularly arrange auctions or sale for showcasing their car collections. Due to increasing fuel economy, people save their money by buying second hand car. In the leading newspapers and automobile magazines, customers will surely get various classifieds for used automotives. But before finalizing any sale, always do proper homework.

Search online for different service provider and then compare them with each others. Select the one which offers numerous affordable deals to the buyers. Check the condition of the vehicle first especially the engine. For this purpose, you may take help of trained or experienced mechanic. Make sure that all necessary legal documents like vehicle’s registration papers are real or not. Some people still think that all second hand automobiles are definitely going to cause problems. But that’s not true every time. Car owners can easily maintain their car in proper condition by providing regular servicing. Sometimes, owners want to sell their working vehicles at reasonable rate, because they my want to purchase a brand new car. In this increasing economical rate, buying second hand car is smart decision. It saves your lots of money.

To sell their used automobile, owners may take help of dealers. It’s always better to sell automotives by their owners only. So, you don’t have to pay any commissions or fees to the dealers. Even, most customers also prefer to get a direct deal from Owner of the used automobiles. Without involving any dealer, owners and buyers will make their deal hassle free and faster. In many countries, this concept of buying second hand car is becoming more popular. Customers would like to get these kinds of deal.

You can buy cheap used cars from private seller. Usually these private sellers advertise on newspapers. Check your local newspaper to know the used cars for sale in your area. Although you may not find a very large list of used cars for sale, you can still look at this option to check and buy cheap used cars.

Another option to buy cheap used cars is through used car dealers. You may find good deals through used car dealers; they usually make thorough assessment and check up of used vehicles they are selling. But you still need to check the reputation of the dealers before you transact with them.

Browse the net. Another way to find and buy cheap used cars is through the internet. There are a lot of websites featuring used cars for sale. If you are patient enough to browse the net you can find what you are looking for and buy cheap used cars online.

Another opportunity to buy cheap used cars is through car auctions. Usually, car auctions are organized by police, the government or auction lots. Used cars sold here may come from the surplus of government vehicles, repossession or impounding. Before going to a used car auction, you have to be sure about the type of auction you are going into. Make sure to attend the preliminary inspection to prepare before the actual auction and get a good deal.

Did you know that every month thousands of cars become government & bank property through various seizure/surplus laws? Because of the constant influx of vehicles and the enormous expense to store them, the cars must be sold fast and cheap! Buy direct from the sources and save considerably! Bids on new and used repossessed and fleet vehicles start as low as 90% off book value visit StateAuctions.org Cars and Homes [http://www.squidoo.com/more-auctions]

To know more about home and family visit All About Home and Family

Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including Where to Buy Cheap Used Cars. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author’s name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

Author: Gerry Restrivera
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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One place where you can find almost a constant annual supply of cheap used cars is at government auto auctions. There you can find really eye-wowing models and they will not cost an arm and a leg. And most of these cars are still quite new and normally will not yet qualify for a secondhand sale. They are only there because they are seized by the government. Other sources of used cars at government auto auctions are government cars that are replaced on a regular basis.

But before you push ahead and jump into that pool of good quality cheap used cars, know that some cars will be better than the others, and some will make a better value for your buck. Knowing how to check cheap used cars at government auctions will help you get the best deal. So read on and discover the five things that you need to look out for.

Transferable Warranty
In some cases, you may come across used cars that are still very quite new that the manufacturer’s warranty is still effective and has not yet expired. As much as possible, these are the ones that you want to look for. But inquire first if it is possible to transfer that warranty over to you upon purchase. Check out the details.

Car History
Another great way to check what a cheap used car is really worth is by checking its history. One way to obtain this is by getting the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the used vehicle. Such reports can reveal the car’s history concerning odometer, mileage, repairs done, odometer, and inspections passed and failed.

Well-Maintained Car
You will also want to find a car that is well-maintained. Even if you did come across a very fancy car, its previous owner maybe the rough kind who neglects standard use, handling and maintenance. Check out the cars condition in and out, although cheap used cars at government auto auctions usually undergo detailing before they are showcased.

Car Model
You may also want to check about the particular model of the car to know if there are common problems usually associated with it. You can check out reviews from other owners in the internet and car magazines.

Terms And Conditions of Sale
And lastly, study thoroughly the terms and conditions governing the sale of the car. You might want to be familiar with them because breaking some usually results in fines and fees.

So just keep these five great tips in mind when selecting a cheap used car at government auto auctions. This might just be your ticket to cheaply owning a head-turner car that otherwise would have cost a fortune.

After three years, it is only worth 60-70% of its original price. In a case to case basis, you can buy a used car loaded with accessories and enhancers, which you might not afford had you bought a new car. When it comes to luxury cars and subcompacts, their depreciation is even quicker.

For example, if you have an eye for a Mitsubishi Galant ES, you can have it $7,000 cheaper two years later at 24,000 miles. There are other good deals on cheap used cars in excellent conditions, particularly cars with low mileage. Rather than a fixed price like brand new cars, the prices of used vehicles are quite negotiable.

This situation is especially evident in this time of economic crises. Fewer sales on cars, whether brand new or slightly used, have led to a remarkable markdown  on their prices. Large cars, SUV and mid sized cars have reduced their prices to encourage consumers to buy.

In fact, Lexus and Mercedes Benz are the pioneers in the proliferation of certified pre-owned programs. Having a certification of pre-owned cars reduced the risks commonly associated with used automobile. Before the car is displayed for sale and given a certification, it undergoes a series of inspection.

Necessary repairs and replacement of parts are made, making the cheap used car capable of delivering high performance. Because more people rely on the web to get information about used cars, the choices for buyers have become wide and increased.

Admittedly, the pre-loved cars do not carry the same warranties of the brand new ones. However, in some cases, the original factory warranty can be transferred to a second owner at no charge. Depending on the car dealers, you can find a certified pre-owned car with the original warranty.

There are even authorized dealers of some car manufacturers that offer limited warranties to selected second hand vehicles. Although there are slight differences in the prices, you can be assured that your chances of experiencing car troubles are less.

To ensure that you have the best choice for a cheap used car, it is wise to assess your own needs. Set your standards. Do you want a large car like a van and mini van? Or, do you want a SUV and compact car? How about a pickup or truck? Consider your budget. Is your choice of a car within your financial resources?

Even when the dealer assures you that the car has excellent conditions, it is still a wise decision to inspect the car properly. Run a check on carfax to know about the cheap used car’s history. It provides information such as the number of times the ownership has been transferred, and the number of times it has been wrecked.

After three years, it is only worth 60-70% of its original price. In a case to case basis, you can buy a used car loaded with accessories and enhancers, which you might not afford had you bought a new car. When it comes to luxury cars and subcompacts, their depreciation is even quicker.

For example, if you have an eye for a Mitsubishi Galant ES, you can have it $7,000 cheaper two years later at 24,000 miles. There are other good deals on cheap used cars in excellent conditions, particularly cars with low mileage. Rather than a fixed price like brand new cars, the prices of used vehicles are quite negotiable.

This situation is especially evident in this time of economic crises. Fewer sales on cars, whether brand new or slightly used, have led to a remarkable markdown  on their prices. Large cars, SUV and mid sized cars have reduced their prices to encourage consumers to buy.

In fact, Lexus and Mercedes Benz are the pioneers in the proliferation of certified pre-owned programs. Having a certification of pre-owned cars reduced the risks commonly associated with used automobile. Before the car is displayed for sale and given a certification, it undergoes a series of inspection.

Necessary repairs and replacement of parts are made, making the cheap used car capable of delivering high performance. Because more people rely on the web to get information about used cars, the choices for buyers have become wide and increased.

Admittedly, the pre-loved cars do not carry the same warranties of the brand new ones. However, in some cases, the original factory warranty can be transferred to a second owner at no charge. Depending on the car dealers, you can find a certified pre-owned car with the original warranty.

There are even authorized dealers of some car manufacturers that offer limited warranties to selected second hand vehicles. Although there are slight differences in the prices, you can be assured that your chances of experiencing car troubles are less.

To ensure that you have the best choice for a cheap used car, it is wise to assess your own needs. Set your standards. Do you want a large car like a van and mini van? Or, do you want a SUV and compact car? How about a pickup or truck? Consider your budget. Is your choice of a car within your financial resources?

Even when the dealer assures you that the car has excellent conditions, it is still a wise decision to inspect the car properly. Run a check on carfax to know about the cheap used car’s history. It provides information such as the number of times the ownership has been transferred, and the number of times it has been wrecked.