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Step 1
Research the vehicle locally and online. There are now plenty of online resources (see below) where you can research local vehicles for sale by private parties and dealerships. Spend a little time so you know what you are looking for and what the average cost seems to be. Be sure to note the mileage and year of the car. 15,000 miles per year is about average.
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Step 2
Check Kelly Blue Book. Go to their website and and punch in all the details of the car you want and it will give you a good estimate to what the car's trade-in, private party and dealership values are. Always keep the trade-in value in mind as a base. Dealership values are always super inflated.
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Step 3
Inspect the car. Take down the VIN and research the history of the car. Anything with a salvage title should be avoided. And if possible, have a mechanic look through it to make sure it doesn't need any more work and is in good condition.
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Step 4
Haggle for a good deal. Once you have decided on a car, remember the trade-in value of the car. Start from there and try to keep your negotiations as low and short as possible. Do not be afraid to haggle—-this is expected when buying a used car—-the dealers do have plenty of room to work with. If you stick to your guns, you'll be able to walk away with a great price!
