Buying a used car has to be one of the most intimidating experiences for the average person. The buyer is faced with having to determine the condition of a vehicle about which he has little or no background and then bargain to reach a mutually agreeable price. If he guesses right, he will save a substantial amount compared to buying a comparable new car. If he guesses wrong, it can become very expensive, indeed.

This book is designed to help you in your quest to buy a good used car. It offers tips on how to tell whether a car has been damaged, abused, or neglected. It also discusses the various sources from which you can buy your car and the relative advantages of each. And, because used car prices have been escalating along with new car prices, it offers some insight into negotiating and financing.
This book is not intended as a guide for collectors who are shopping for specialty cars. Those vehicles are a breed apart, requiring specific expert knowledge. If you want to invest in a collector car, you would be well advised to consult with an expert on the particular make that interests you--perhaps even joining one of the many specialty "marque" clubs whose memberships are made up of devotees and historians of a particular collectible make or model.

This book is written for the average consumer. For some, shopping for and buying a used car is an adventure and pleasure. For others, it's an economic necessity fraught with anxiety. This book is designed to help both types of consumers.