The Used Car Buyer's Manual I:

How to find the Best Buy on a Used Car

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Part I: How to Buy a Used Car from a Private Party

Chapter 1: Research 13
1. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly 13
2. Used Car Classifications 14
3. Options to Consider 15
4. Best Used Car Bets 16
5. The Library 18
6. The Blue Book 19
7. Recall Information 20
8. Resale Value 20
9. The Phone Book 21
10. Word of Mouth 22
11. Selecting a Mechanic 23
12. Scan the Ads 23
13. Financing 26
14. Auto Insurance 28

Chapter 2: The Search 29
15. Are You Ready? 29
16. Interpreting an Ad 30
17. Questions to Ask 30
18. Get an Appointment 35
19. Excuses, Excuses 36
20. Cars with Out-of-State Plates 37
21. City Miles Vs. Freeway Miles 38
22. Don't be Hasty 38
23. Dangling Carrots 39

Chapter 3: Checking Out the Beast 41
24. Some Firsthand Tips 41
25. A Word About Color 42
26. How to Check for Body Damage from an Accident 43
27. How to Check for Body Damage from Rust 46
28. Tires and Suspension 48
29. Fluids to Check 49
30. Check Air Filter, Belts, and Hoses 50
31. Things to Leak Out For 51
32. California Emissions 53
33. The Tail Pipe 54
34. Check the Glass 54
35. About Sunroofs 54
36. Interior 55
37. Luggage Compartment 56
38. Flood Cars 57

Chapter 4: The Test Drive 59
39. Listen with Your Ears 59
40. Check the Brakes 61
41. About Brake Noises 61
42. Check the Alignment 62
43. Check the Transmission 62
44. The Open Road 63
45. About Receipts 64
46. The Character Thing 65
47. A Waste of Time and Money? 66
48. Going to Your Mechanic 67
49. Double Check for Recalls 68

Chapter 5: Negotiating 71
50. Phase 1: Preconditioning 72
51. Phase 2: Negotiating Before the Mechanic's Inspection 73
52. Phase 3: Negotiating After the Mechanic's Inspection 76
53. Emotion Control 78
54. Other Negotiation Tips 79
55. Transfer of Vehicle Ownership 80
56. Salvage Titles 82

Part II: How to Buy a Used Car from a Dealer

Chapter 6: Dealing With Dealers 85
57. The Way Dealers Work 86
58. A Word on Financing 86
59. To Be or Not To Be Alone 87
60. Choosing a Dealer 88
61. Before Going to the Lots 89
62. What to Expect at the Lots 90
63. Getting Focused 90
64. The Games Dealers Play 93
65. Buyer Tactics 97
66. Dealer Add-Ons 101
67. The Trading Game 102
68. Warranties 103
69. Lemon Laws 104
70. Another Word on Financing 105

Chapter 7: Dealer Negotiations 107
71. Your Approach 107
72. Negotiation Scenario #1 108
73. Negotiation Scenario #2 117
74. A Few Last Tips 133

Part III: How to Sell and Care for Your Used Car

Chapter 8: Selling Your Used Car 137
75. Prepping Your Car for Sale 138
76. The Lazy Person's Way 139
77. The Person-with-a-lot-of-Energy Way 139
78. California Residents Only 140
79. Asking Price 140
80. Advertising 141
81. The Phone Calls 143
82. The Appointment 144
83. Negotiating 146
84. A Few Last Tips 148

Chapter 9: Car Care 151
85. Your Owner's Manual 151
86. About Oil 153
87. Oil Burners 154
88. Other Fluid Concerns 155
89. Lube Centers 156
90. Tires 156
91. Engine Ping and Gasoline 157
92. Tune-Up 158s
93. Repair Fraud 158
94. Engine Warm-Up 159
95. Car Care Tips 160

Appendix A: Directory of Reliable Used Cars
Appendix B: Vehicle Inspection Checklist