Buying and Selling Used Cars Online
The Internet is a vast marketplace for buying and selling automobiles. So vast, in fact, that it rivals many of the other more traditional media such as newspapers and " trader" magazines. The benefits? If you're a buyer, your model and price choices are immense. If you're a seller, your marketplace of potential buyers is huge. —— Two of the best places to find used cars online and to get prices is CarsDirect and UsedCars.com. Simply plug in your ZIP code and the kind of car you want, and get a list of local cars from dealers and individual sellers. Be sure to search both services for best prices.

Nice Car.   How Much Are Payments?
Since the size of your used car payment depends on a combination of price, how much you can pay down, the length of the loan, and the annual interest rate, you need a special loan calculator to tell you what your monthly payments will be. Try out this new full-function online calculator. It's easy and free.
Car Payment Calculator

Free Cars!  Really?
Yes — and no. Of course, nothing is really free, but there are companies who will pay you to drive your own car, or give you a new car to drive. So how does it work? What's the catch? How do you apply?
Free Cars - Real Deal or Scam?

Cheap Used Cars
Buyers who are looking for cheap used cars have their work cut out for them. Though there's no shortage of supply of low-priced cars, it's difficult and time-consuming to find one that will be dependable and economical to drive. We provide some helpful tips for those looking for inexpensive used cars.
Cheap Used Cars

Do Your Own Car Problem Diagnostics
Anyone with a PC or PDA can now do their own problem diagnosis on their vehicles. All newer vehicles have an on-board diagnostic (OBD) computer that tells dealers and repair technicians exactly what's wrong with your car when you are having problems. What most people don't know is that they can do the same thing themselves — faster, cheaper, and just as accurately.
Onboard Diagnostics Demystified

Need Extra Money for a Car?
Many people who need a new car are stretched for extra money. Some turn to second jobs or expensive loans, but there are easier ways that often get overlooked. The Internet offers literally hundreds of ways to make money. Many require almost no effort.
Making Extra Money on the Internet

New Car vs Used Car — Better Deal?
It's usually assumed that a used car is always the least expensive option. Not necessarily true. Always compare new car prices before you decide. With the aggressive dealer discounts, manufacturer rebates, and low interest rates now being offered on new cars, it is very possible a new car could be the better deal than the same car that's a year or two old. To find out, get a few free new-car price quotes online for your comparison. We suggest InvoiceDealers, CarsDirect., and Edmunds —— Leasing a new car could be even more economical. Lease payments on a new car can easily be less than loan payments on a 3 year-old used car, and with no down payment. But be sure to read the Lease Guide first.

Best Used Cars Online?
There are a number of web sites that allow you to search for used cars online. However, the best we've found is UsedCars.com. If you find a car you like, it's easy to get prices, see vehicle details (with photos), and make all the arrangements online from your computer.

Another excellent source ofl used cars online is eBay Motors. The site has thousands of people selling used cars every day.

Best GPS Navigation System for Your Car?
Go to GPS Navigation Systems to get buyer reviews, ratings, descriptions, and discounted prices for types of car navigation systems. Find out which are the best rated and the best sellers. This is the best source for GPS products on the Internet.

Legal Problems?
Parking tickets? Small claims court? Consumer protection issue? Problem with car seller? Victim of scam or fraud? Credit issues? Car warranty problems? Want to cancel a contract? California law? ——— NOLO.com is the most highly respected source of do-it-yourself legal advice and information in the U.S.

Hurricane Damaged Cars - Problems and Opportunities
Thousands of new and used cars were damaged (car gif spacer used) or declared total losses in the recent hurricane on the Gulf coast. Many of these cars will reappear and be offered for sale by scammers who will hide the damages, which makes it very important to always get a vehicle history report before buying. However, these same cars, purchased at fair prices with damages properly disclosed, can be great deals. For more details, see our article, Damaged Cars, Flood Cars, Salvage Cars.

Watch Your Prices
Used car prices can change from day to day. One of the greatest factors that affect used car prices are new-car prices. If a car manufacturer is offering highly discounted prices or rebates during a new-car sales promotion, the value of similar used cars goes down, sometimes dramatically. The lower prices may last for months after a big promotional campaign due to the large number of trade-in vehicles in dealer inventories.

Used-Car Dealer Trickery - The Virtual Car Scam
Used-car dealers want to sell you the cars they have on their lot, not the car you actually want. Here's an interesting article that shows how dealers can use Internet technology to pull a fast one on you. They can make it appear on their web site that they have thousands of "virtual" cars, including just the one you want, but, in fact, they only have a few. It's plain old smoke and mirrors.
Virtual Used Cars on the Web

Used Car Loans and Financing
Used-car loans are different in many ways from new-car loans, and it can be harder to find good deals. Since the lender considers used cars a higher risk, you may have to pay a higher rate. And that rate will depend on your credit score. DriverLoans.com is a company we recommend for the lowest rates on used car loans.
Auto Loan Advisor

Used Cars Have Dirty Little Secrets!
Buying a used car is like buying a pig in a poke, to paraphrase an old saying. You don't know exactly what you're getting because you don't know where the car has been, what its been doing, or if it's had problems. It could be flood damaged, salvaged (previously totaled), or been in multiple accidents. It could have been someone's new-car lemon bought back by the manufacturer and now being resold. Getting a CARFAX Vehicle History Report is how you find out about these dirty little secrets. These reports have become commonplace and essential when buying or selling a used car.

Odometer Rollback Cheat
It's a persistent problem in the used car business, even if buying from an individual. Any vehicle's mileage can be rolled back (yes, even the new digital odometers) to artificially increase sale value. There are companies who openly advertise odometer rollback ("calibration") services on the Internet. How can you tell if the odometer has been tampered with? Getting a CARFAX Vehicle History Report is the best way because it shows mileage history, which can be compared to current mileage. Otherwise, you can look for signs of wear on seats, pedals, and carpets that seem inconsistent with the odometer reading.

The Foreign Car Buyer Scam
You get an offer from someone in Africa or another country who wants to buy the used car you've been advertising for sale. They send you a cashier's check for more than your asking price and tell you they plan to have the car picked up and shipped to them — all sight-unseen. What's wrong with this deal?
Car Buyer Scam

You Should Mind Your TSBs
Car manufacturers issue thousands of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) every year to their dealers for known problems and reliability issues with their vehicles. Except they don't tell you and me. This can be a big problem if you're a used car buyer, a seller, or simply an owner. However, there's a way we can get our hands on these important notices.
Technical Service Bulletins

Secret Warranties
New and used car owners can have particular problems that the manufacturer knows about and will fix for free or at a discount — even though the original factory warranty has expired. These are known in the trade as "hidden" or "secret" warranties. You need to know about the problem yourself before you take your car in (see Technical Service Bulletins) and it pays to be polite to the dealer because what he charges you is at his discretion.

Best Auto Loan Calculator
There are dozens of online auto loan calculators but we found one that beats the rest of them, hands down, and it's absolutely free. It even calculates taxes correctly, which most auto payment calculators either ignore or miscalculate.
Auto Loan Calculator

Ready for a Hybrid?
High gas prices, environmental concerns, and tax incentives have created a fast growing interest in gas-electric hybrid vehicles. Do hybrids live up to the hype? What do owners say about their hybrids?
Hybrid Vehicle Buyer Reports

Which Cars for Teens?
When it comes to buying cars for teenage drivers, it's not always easy to get agreement between the teens and their parents. There are special considerations and precautions that need to be factored into the decision process. We suggest some models that seem to work well for both sides.
Car For Teens

Leasing Used Cars - Good Deal or Not?
New car leasing is more popular but used car leasing is rapidly catching on. Why? Because it makes good sense, especially for almost-new vehicles that hold their values well after the first year's depreciation. Many vehicle makes and models fall in this category, particularly luxury models. But leasing a used car requires extra care when compared to new-car leasing.
Lease Used Car Lease New Car

Government Car Auctions
Ever wonder about those government and police seized-property auctions where you can find cars and trucks for as little as $200? It is really possible? How does it work? Where do you find the auctions and what vehicles are available?
Government Seized Car Auctions

What's Your Credit Rating?
When you finance a car loan with a dealer or loan company, they submit your credit application to one or more of the three national credit reporting companies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your "FICO score" determines what interest rate you'll pay, or if you'll be approved at all. Scores above 700 get you the best rates. Below 600, you're in trouble. —— Erroneous information in these reports is common. —— Equifax, one of the three major companies, offers an instant online report of your credit history from all three reporting companies, plus your all-important credit score (it's their "3-IN-1 Plus Score Power" service).

Car Insurance - Are You Overpaying?
Most people are now overpaying for their car insurance, either because they haven't taken advantage of discounts they deserve, or because they don't know that there are companies with lower rates and comparable service.
Auto Insurance Advisor

Used-Car Warranties - Often Overlooked
Warranties (used gif spacer car) are one of those little "details" often overlooked when buying a used car. The car you buy may actually already have a warranty, or not. Watch out for "limited" warranties from used-car dealers. Extended warranties are available to protect you, at reasonable costs, but be careful where you buy.
Used Car Warranties