> I never buy used cars, because I don't know
that much about cars and I tend to get
somebody else's problems.

I would agree, but a used car is about all we
can afford right now. We were hoping our
Honda would last us another year or so until
we were comfortably settled in a house, which
we are planning to buy come spring. The need
for a car was thrust upon us rather suddenly.

I've done plenty of research though, on
different makes and models of cars, and I
won't buy a used car that I haven't checked out
thoroughly, not only on the reputation of the
maker and model, but on the actual car itself.
It costs me $30 to get my mechanic to inspect
a car, but I trust him, and that $30 has already
paid off, saving me from making a costly
decision and buying a car with $400-500
hidden problem.

www.consumerreports.com and
www.carfax.com have been invaluable tools.