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Step 1
Determine your budget. The first step in making any sort of major purchase is to determine how much money you want to spend on it. You may have an extra $2,000 to spend or you may have $10,000. No matter what your available budget is -- you need to be able to stick to that budget. Knowing exactly how much you have to spend and work with will help immensely when searching for a cheap used car.
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Step 2
Check your local ad papers. Start by checking your local ad papers for vehicles that are priced within your budget and which sound as if they would be dependable vehicles. You might check your local newspaper or free ad papers that circulate in your area. For a list of available newspapers in your area, check out www.dailyearth.com. Many times, individuals who are selling cheap used cars will place them in local ad papers or the classified section of the newspaper, so this is a great place to start.
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Step 3
Try eBay. Although ad papers and local papers are a great place to start, don't neglect other places where you could find a great deal. Checking on the Internet is a wonderful way to find a cheap used car. eBay is a great resource for individuals who want to find cheap cars that are dependable. Just be sure you are close enough so that you can look at the vehicle before purchasing it.
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Step 4
Check out Craigslist. Craigslist is another valuable resource individuals can use to find cheap, used cars in their local areas. You can find cars listed at different prices and all different makes and models. If you find a car that seems like a good deal, be sure to visit and check it out before purchasing.
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Step 5
Look into local auto auctions. Here, individuals auction off their vehicles to the highest bidders. If you're not sure where your local auto auctions are, check the online yellow pages (Resources) to find contact information for auctions in your area.
