How to Look for Cheap Used Cars

I found this 15 year old truck for $1600; everything works

Looking for a cheap used car is an easy project. This short article will give you some ideas of where to look. If you are looking to sell a cheap used car, this article will give you ideas where to advertise.

Things You'll Need

• Need for a used car
• Time to look for one

Instructions

1. Avoid the dealer. For the best deals, take your search to the owners. Dealers need to make a living, which is fine. But if you are looking for a deal, 'cars for sale by owner' is the way to go.

2. Drive around the neighborhood. Neighbors are a good source for cheap used cars. Perhaps you have mutual friends. This is a great way to get a better deal! Let them know you live nearby. They will be more likely to be honest and upfront with you if they know you can easily come back with any problems.

3. Check bulletin boards. Grocery stores, hardware stores, barber shops, at work or area businesses all usually have a bulletin board for locals to use. There are always folks looking to get rid of an old car.

4. Check your local paper. State papers, town papers and regional papers will all have ads in them for locals selling cars. Some areas even have weekly 'for sale by owner' journals selling everything from cars to anything you might find at a flea market.

5. Best option: the internet. There are many sites out there for people to sell their cheap used cars. There are big existing players like eBay and autotrader. The best bet for a cheap car online will be those websites that are free for the seller to list. Try craigslist or other local sites. Your local papers will also have classified ads online. You should be able to find a lot of great cheap used car options online without having to try any other option!

Tips & Warnings

• Make a list of what is important to you in the car, prioritize, and stick to it.

• Don't limit yourself to the internet. There are still a lot of people unwilling to use it to sell a car. Bulletin boards and the local paper will have cars for sale you won't find online.

• Always test drive the car and have a mechanic look at it before laying out the cash.

• Always get a receipt and pay with a check that can be stopped or reversed if trouble comes up.