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This is common question amongst used car buyers.  That was certainly one of my main questions when I first started looking for a used car.  In my experience, I tend to look for cars that are 3-4 years old and less than 30-35K miles and that has worked well for me but that of course depends on your needs.  If you’re like my friend who is remodeling his home and is looking for a used car that can just help him haul materials, price is his main concern and not necessarily the mileage as long as the car can serve a temporary purpose of getting him from point A to B.

For people with normal driving needs, according to Tom and Ray Magliozzi (hosts of NPR’s CarTalk) in their book on “How to Buy a Great Used Car,” they advise buying a 2-3 year old car with 20-40K miles.  They think that would be the best bet for “people who want to drive a car that looks good, runs well, has up-to-date safety equipment and is very reliable.”

Of course, a lot of the reliability of the car also depends on the manufacturer.  We would suggest also consulting Consumer Reports list of Best and Worst used cars  – .

If you have a question you’d like our experts and community to answer, please ask your question at  http://forum.iseecars.com.  To start your used car search, visit http://www.iSeeCars.com  

In the aftermath of a series of hurricanes, the Better Business Bureau in Texas (in their Press Release yesterday) provides the following tips to avoid buying a flood-damaged car.

In the wake of a major disaster in your area, the Better Business Bureau urges new and used car buyers to be cautious of unscrupulous businesses and individuals who may try to sell flood-damaged cars without revealing the vehicles’ history.

The BBB recommends the following tips to help consumers determine if a car is flood-damaged:

Ask to see the title of a used car. Check the date and place of transfer to see if the car came from a flood-damaged state and if the title is stamped “salvage.”

Check all gauges on the dashboard to make sure they are accurate, and to look for signs of water.

Test the lights, windshield wipers, turn signals, cigarette lighter, radio, heater and air conditioner several times to make sure they work. Also, flex some wires under the dash to see if they bend or crack, since wet wires become brittle upon drying and can crack or fail at any time.

Check the trunk, glove compartment, and beneath the seats and dash for signs of mud, rust or water damage.

Look for discolored, faded or stained upholstery and carpeting. Carpeting that has been replaced may fit too loosely or may not match the interior color.

Check for a well-defined line, or watermark, and for musty odors resulting from mildew.

Check out the reliability of the dealer by contacting the Better Business Bureau where the company is located.

If the car’s history seems suspicious, ask the dealer or individual directly if the car has been damaged by flood water.

Before buying any used car, always get a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic. The extra cost may save you money in the long run.

This blog is written by the team at iSeeCars.com, a Google-like search engine for used cars for sale posted on sites like Craigslist, eBay, and many other car classifieds websites.  The mission of iSeeCars.com is to provide unbiased and useful tips and tools to help used car buyers make better decisions. 

Buying a used car is a great way to save some money and still get the car you’ve been searching for. Whether you’re constrained by your pocketbook or have certain automotive needs that must be met (such as a backseat for the kids or four-wheel drive for winter weather), today’s used car options deliver almost everything new cars do – and at a lower overall cost.

1. Depreciation

The second you drive a new car off the lot, its value depreciates by as much as 20 percent. Studies show that most cars are only worth 60 to 70 percent of their original value three years after their purchase. When you buy a used car, all the depreciation has already been absorbed by the original owner.

2. No Overpriced Dealer Repairs

When you purchase certain makes and models of new cars, the parts covered under warranty aren’t valid if you use your own mechanic. In these instances, your only choice is to return to the dealership to get your repairs done. This is basically the dealership’s way of getting you into their shops with their overpriced service. When you buy a used car, you can get repairs done on your own terms.

3. Save Money

Buying used cars – whether you are buying from a used car dealership, car classifieds, or online sites like Craigslist – simply costs less money than buying new. New cars run an average of $25,000, while used cars are closer to the $10,000 range. If you’re buying from a private seller, you might even be able to haggle the price down or barter to keep costs low.

4. Save the Planet

While buying a hybrid car might seem like a great way to go green, it actually takes more energy to build a new hybrid than it does to buy a fuel-efficient used car. Every time a hybrid comes off the assembly line, it takes about 46,000 miles of driving before the car “breaks even” in the amount of energy it saves through fuel efficiency. Buying a used car in the first place – as long as it’s not a gas guzzler – will actually reduce your carbon footprint.

5. Lower Car Insurance Rates

Car insurance rates are higher for new cars than they are for used cars. The reasons are simple: new cars are more likely to be financed (and therefore need full coverage), and annual insurance rates can run as high as 20 percent of a car’s sticker price. Buying a newer, more expensive model can end up costing you money for years.

6. Higher Used Car Standards

Thanks to new lemon laws and auto history check websites, it has become easier than ever to determine if a used car has undergone any major damage. Some used car dealerships also offer used car certification, which guarantees that they have been looked over and approved by a qualified mechanic.

7. Avoiding Car Dealerships

When buying a used car, you have a number of places to look. You can peruse car classifieds, visit eBay or Craigslist, or opt for a used car dealership. New cars typically only come from one place – the dealer – so you have limited options when it comes to salesmen and haggling over prices.

8. Finding Good Deals

Owners of new cars can be a pretty finicky set. Many people turn over their cars after one or two years simply as a matter of course, while others may decide that the monthly payments are too high to continue. If you take the time to look for quality used cars, you might find some incredibly good deals from individuals who are motivated to sell.

9. More Bang for Your Buck

When you drive a new car straight off the lot, you typically pay for every added feature. When you upgrade to include a sunroof, tinted windows, and a spoiler, you can leave with a total price thousands of dollars higher than the sticker price. Used cars with these same amenities might cost a little more than those without, but not nearly to the same extent.

10. Used Cars can be just as Reliable if carefully inspected

Although buying a new car may seem like a more responsible choice, no car purchase is guaranteed to be hassle-free. Factory recalls, faulty parts, and required maintanence repairs can occur just as easily in a new car as they can in a used car. As long as you have your used car purchase checked out and you take good care of it, the overall reliability of your car can be just as good as a new car.  Further, cars have also become more reliable with advances in technology.

Buying a car – regardless of whether you choose new or used – is a major endeavor that can put a strain on your finances for years. Fortunately, most of the benefits of buying a used car have to do with money. As long as you take your time, evaluate your prospective purchases, and have a mechanic check out the used car before you buy it, you and your used car can spend many happy years together.

For more information on used cars, visit blog.iseecars.com which provides tips, advice, and commentary on searching and buying used cars.  The blog is written by the team at iSeeCars.com, a search engine for used cars for sale, created by guys who think buying used cars are better than buying new and who are passionate about building a better tool for users to search for used cars.

You’re looking for a new car and you’ve decided to buy used. Smart choice! With the price of gas and the state of the economy, shelling out all that extra cash for a brand new car when a used car can be just as fuel efficient and a much better deal is like tossing your cash into your car’s fuel tank and literally burning that money away.

Craigslist, eBay, car classifieds, and used car search engines like iSeeCars.com make finding used cars for sale so much easier than ever before. But you have to be careful—there’s bound to be a few lemons out there that will leave you with more than just a sour taste in your mouth. Making a major purchase like a car—even if, or perhaps especially if, it’s a cheap used car—requires that you do all of your homework. Remain in control and no one will be able to pull the wool over your eyes!

Here are the top ten questions you should ask a used car seller before you sign on the dotted line:

1. Can you tell me why you’re selling this car? Used car dealerships might not know (but they may know why the last owner sold it to them), but all private sellers you might find through Craigslist, eBay, or car classifieds ought to answer. If possible, watch their facial expressions when they answer, too, in case they’re not being entirely truthful. If they’re moving or can no longer afford payments for the car, the car is more likely to be of higher quality. If it’s because it’s very old or has required many repairs, make sure you know if the price is fair and understand what you’re getting into.

2. What is the car’s mileage? Car mileage plays a large part in determining the used car’s value. And remember that used car odometers can be tampered with, which is why you should ask…

3. Will you allow a test drive? Any used car dealership should have no problem letting you test drive their used cars for sale around town. Private sellers might be more reticent, but assure them you’ll allow them to accompany you on the trip. Test drives are essential for noticing problems with the car as well as for making sure that the car is the right fit for you. You’ll also be able to notice if the odometer appears to be “stuck” or has problems.

4. Will you allow me to make my own inspection? If they’re reputable, both used car dealers and private sellers should have no problem with you bringing the car to a trusted mechanic for a thorough inspection.

5. Is there a warranty on the car? If you’re buying from a used car dealership, go for the certified used cars. A lot of used car dealerships offer 112-point inspections and two-year/20,000 miles+ warranties on low- to average-mileage used cars.  Some used cars for sale may come with existing factory warranties.  When buying from a used car for sale by owner, unless there’s an existing factory warranty, the car is typically sold as-is.

6. Has this car ever been refurbished or been in an accident? If the used BMW car that’s caught your eye was once in an accident, there might be more damage underneath that freshly-painted coat than meets the eye.

7. What is the vehicle’s history? Certified used cars and other used cars for sale at used car dealerships ought to come with vehicle history reports. (Oftentimes these are even available when you search for used cars online.) Used cars for sale by owner might have official vehicle history reports, but if they don’t, you should be able to purchase them online at sites like Carfax or Autocheck using the VIN# of the car.

8. Are you the original owner of this car? If you want quality, it’s best to choose used cars for sale by the original owner—unless each owner of the car used it for a short period of time. This actually isn’t a moot question for a used car dealer, either; it’s possible that car was for sale just a few years ago as a brand-new car and never got off the lot.

9. What are the car’s special features? If CD player, navigation or GPS system, leather seats, or anything else that’s “extra” is important to you, ask if they’re available in the used car that you’re considering—and if they’re still in good, working condition.

10. Do you have service or maintenance records for the car? If the owner has kept good records and has followed the manufacturer’s suggestions for scheduled maintenance like changing oil every so many miles, that would be a good indication of how well the car was taken care of.

In case you haven’t come across this document on buying a used car from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - the U.S. governmental agency whose mission is to “Protect America’s Consumers.”   Here’s what our tax dollars are paying for:

Buying A Used Car

“I can’t wait to get my own car.”

Sound familiar? Before you start shopping for a used car with a teenager you know, do some homework. It may save you serious money. Consider driving habits, what the car will be used for, and your budget. Research models, options, costs, repair records, safety tests, and mileage through libraries, book stores, and web sites.

Cash or Credit?

Once you’ve settled on a particular car, you have two payment options: paying in full or financing over time. Financing increases the total cost of the car because you’re also paying for the cost of credit, including interest and other loan costs. You also must consider how much money you can put down, the monthly payment, the loan term, and the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). Rates usually are higher and loan periods shorter on used cars than on new ones. Dealers and lenders offer a variety of loan terms. Shop around and help your teenager negotiate the best possible deal. Be cautious about financing offers for first-time buyers. They can require a big down payment and a high APR. To get a lower rate, you may decide to cosign the loan for your teen. If money is tight, you might consider paying cash for a less expensive car than you first had in mind.

Dealer or Private Sale?

The Federal Trade Commission’s Used Car Rule requires dealers to post a Buyers Guide in every used car they offer for sale. The Buyers Guide gives a great deal of information, including:

• whether the vehicle is being sold “as is” or with a warranty;
• what percentage of the repair costs a dealer will pay under the warranty;
• the fact that spoken promises are difficult to enforce; and
• the major mechanical and electrical systems on the car, including some of the major problems you should look out for.

The Buyers Guide also tells you to:

• get all promises in writing;
• keep the Buyers Guide for reference after the sale; and
• ask to have the car inspected by an independent mechanic before the purchase.

Buying a car from a private individual is different from buying from a dealer. That’s because private sales generally aren’t covered by the Used Car Rule, or by “implied warranties” of state law. A private sale probably will be “as is” — you’ll have to pay for anything that goes wrong after the sale.

Before You Buy…

Whether you buy a used car from a dealer or an individual:

• examine the car using an inspection checklist. You can find checklists in magazines and books and on Internet sites that deal with used cars;
• test drive the car under varied road conditions — on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go-traffic;
• ask for the car’s maintenance record from the owner, dealer, or repair shop; and
• hire a mechanic to inspect the car.

Other Costs to Consider

There’s more to buying a car than just paying for it. Other items to budget for include insurance, gas, maintenance and repairs. Here are some tips to help you save money:

• Compare coverage and premiums with several insurance companies. Buy from a low-price, licensed insurer, or add your teen to your policy. Some companies offer discounts to students with good grades. Remind your teenager that it pays to drive safely and observe speed limits. Traffic violations can cost money in tickets and higher insurance premiums.
• Pump your own gas and use the octane level your owner’s manual specifies.
• Keep your car in safe driving condition. Following the vehicle’s maintenance schedule can help forestall costly repairs.
• Look for a mechanic who is certified, well established, and communicates well about realistic repair options and costs. Find one who has done good work for someone you know.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.