Buying a used car is a great way to save some money and still get the car you've been searching for. Whether you're constrained by your pocketbook or have certain automotive needs that must be met (such as a backseat for the kids or four-wheel drive for winter weather), today's used car options deliver almost everything new cars do and at a lower overall cost.

1. Depreciation

The second you drive a new car off the lot, its value depreciates by as much as 20 percent. Studies show that most cars are only worth 60 to 70 percent of their original value three years after their purchase. When you buy a used car, all the depreciation has already been absorbed by the original owner.

2. No Overpriced Dealer Repairs

When you purchase certain makes and models of new cars, the parts covered under warranty aren't valid if you use your own mechanic. In these instances, your only choice is to return to the dealership to get your repairs done. This is basically the dealership's way of getting you into their shops with their overpriced service. When you buy a used car, you can get repairs done on your own terms.

3. Save Money

Buying used cars whether you are buying from a used car dealership, car classifieds, or online sites like Craigslist simply costs less money than buying new. New cars run an average of $25,000, while used cars are closer to the $10,000 range. If you're buying from a private seller, you might even be able to haggle the price down or barter to keep costs low.

4. Save the Planet

While buying a hybrid car might seem like a great way to go green, it actually takes more energy to build a new hybrid than it does to buy a fuel-efficient used car. Every time a hybrid comes off the assembly line, it takes about 46,000 miles of driving before the car breaks even? in the amount of energy it saves through fuel efficiency. Buying a used car in the first place as long as it's not a gas guzzler will actually reduce your carbon footprint.

5. Lower Car Insurance Rates

Car insurance rates are higher for new cars than they are for used cars. The reasons are simple: new cars are more likely to be financed (and therefore need full coverage), and annual insurance rates can run as high as 20 percent of a car's sticker price. Buying a newer, more expensive model can end up costing you money for years.

6. Higher Used Car Standards

Thanks to new lemon laws and auto history check websites, it has become easier than ever to determine if a used car has undergone any major damage. Some used car dealerships also offer used car certification, which guarantees that they have been looked over and approved by a qualified mechanic.

7. Avoiding Car Dealerships

When buying a used car, you have a number of places to look. You can peruse car classifieds, visit eBay or Craigslist, or opt for a used car dealership. New cars typically only come from one place - the dealer - so you have limited options when it comes to salesmen and haggling over prices.

8. Finding Good Deals

Owners of new cars can be a pretty finicky set. Many people turn over their cars after one or two years simply as a matter of course, while others may decide that the monthly payments are too high to continue. If you take the time to look for quality used cars, you might find some incredibly good deals from individuals who are motivated to sell.

9. More Bang for Your Buck

When you drive a new car straight off the lot, you typically pay for every added feature. When you upgrade to include a sunroof, tinted windows, and a spoiler, you can leave with a total price thousands of dollars higher than the sticker price. Used cars with these same amenities might cost a little more than those without, but not nearly to the same extent.

10. Used Cars can be just as Reliable if carefully inspected

Although buying a new car may seem like a more responsible choice, no car purchase is guaranteed to be hassle-free. Factory recalls, faulty parts, and required maintanence repairs can occur just as easily in a new car as they can in a used car. As long as you have your used car purchase checked out and you take good care of it, the overall reliability of your car can be just as good as a new car. Further, cars have also become more reliable with advances in technology.

Buying a car - regardless of whether you choose new or used - is a major endeavor that can put a strain on your finances for years. Fortunately, most of the benefits of buying a used car have to do with money. As long as you take your time, evaluate your prospective purchases, and have a mechanic check out the used car before you buy it, you and your used car can spend many happy years together.