When you decide it's time to buy a used car you must follow some rules. First one is to be smart. Do your research. Many people get bad deal because they are not aware of the real price of the car they just bought. Start by determining the type of vehicle you want, and then narrow the field to a few models. You can find out which vehicles are rated highest for reliability and other factors, as well as get specific pricing information that will help guide you in price negotiations. Check reviews such as in Consumer Reports, talk with people who own the vehicle you're looking for, and call dealerships. Put all the information on a piece of paper. What car models suite your needs, what model has good reviews, and price for the same models on several dealers .After that look for the ads on newspapers or internet.

Once you know what your car is worth, and what vehicle you want to buy and what it is worth as well, you can start shopping. Using the internet to find all available models that you want to buy within easy driving distance of where you live is a great way to shop. It's cheaper to buy a car from a person than a dealer. If you are buying from an individual, try to get as much information from the person as possible. You may have the opportunity for some type of warranty or repair plan if you go through a dealer. Before your actual visit to the dealer or private party, make sure that you have your financing arrangements all taken care of in advance and know exactly how much you can afford to pay.

You find the car, the price is good and you want to buy it. Stop. It's not over. Whether you're buying from an individual or dealer, have the car checked by a third party. After you know that the vehicle is in good shape check the car history by the vehicle's VIN number.

The VIN is the Vehicle Identification Number, and it can be found on the title or under the windshield. A VIN report will run about $20 to $25, but it is worth the price. You may learn important things about the car that are not evident otherwise.

How much are you willing to pay for the car? If you want three to four years old car you must be prepared to give at least $8,000 for a decent car. If you chose for an older car the price will be lower. Again do your research and don't go for the first decent car you find. You may find a private seller but if you don't carefully consider using a dealer. Dealers will often give used cars a thorough check and offer some type of warranty on the cars. The dealer will also ensure there are no outstanding liens against the vehicle, something you'll need to do on your own if you buy from a private party.

Another important rule: "read before sign". Be sure to read everything carefully when signing a contract wit a dealer or a private party. If you don't understand some terms ask someone. Make sure you understand the terms of the agreement and any warranties or service checks offered.

The dealer's offers different financing options but be careful because sometimes these financing options may not be so good. A personal loan through a bank may carry a much lower interest rate than the dealer's plan. So take your time and calculate total cost for

Different types of loans. As you notice is very important not to hurry. Taking time to do research and read will save money. In the buying process, new car dealers are going to try to make as much money as possible from each sale, and this is only reasonable as they are in business to make money. But many times their profits are way too big and the buyer will pay much more than the car values. Again it's wise to read some articles about how dealers proceed and make a plan about how you going to approach them.

If you will follow this short guide you have big chances to make a good deal and save money. So read it again carefully and happy shopping!