There are many sources for used cars -- each with benefits and drawbacks. The choice depends on your personality and the type of car you are seeking. Each can be interesting and educational. Try visiting a few of the different options just to see the action. It can be pretty amusing.

Some options follow the usual route -- allowing the car to be taken to the mechanic for a thorough review. Others require bringing a mechanic along. It is a good idea to find a way to motivate the mechanic to go with you.

A lot of information about available used cars can be found in classified ads in the local newspaper, and the Recycler or Auto Trader-type books, usually found in supermarkets and convenience stores. These last two probably are called something different in your area but both are shopper tabloids. The first has listings for every kind of product available for sale, including cars, and the latter just lists cars. Most metropolitan areas, large or small, have some kind of shopper tabloids.

New Car Dealerships

Buying a certified used car that is either "near-new" or an older model can be the safest bet. When you purchase a vehicle with certification and warranty from a dealer that sells the brand itself, that dealership will become the first place to go for recourse. In addition, this provides access to the manufacturer's appeal network and you can be included in service and recall notices. These vary from state to state, and manufacturer to manufacturer. Now is the time to ask about notices and the problem resolution process.

Volvo Certified Pre-Owned Car Program offers reconditioned two- to four-year-old Volvos, with under 60,000 miles, which undergo painstakingly thorough inspections and reconditioning. The vehicle then comes with a 24 month/24,000 mile Volvo Certified Limited Warranty with zero deductible; affordable financing options; two seventy-five dollar vouchers for service at a Volvo retailer; 24-hour On-Call Roadside Assistance; and the Tire Protection Plan. According to Volvo, their warranty offers "peace of mind."

New car dealers usually offer the best financing and warranty plans for used vehicles related to their new car lines, but if you purchase a brand not sold by them, expect fewer benefits because they are not tied into the manufacturer support network. Most of these dealers concentrate on selling only their best trade-ins or prime cars obtained from auctions, so they are usually on top of the used car food chain. They will take trade-ins, but expect to get less than on a private sale since they will probably wholesale it to a used-car dealer.

Shopping Online

This is the most rapidly growing way to locate cars, do preliminary shopping and sorting of possibilities. Over 15% of all new car owners research their purchasing on the Internet, and this is expected to more than double by the year 2000. Fully 24% of all first-time car buyers do all of their car purchase research online. By the year 2000, projections indicate that almost half of used-car buyers will use this time and cost-saving medium. There are dozens of web sites that allow you to input your choice and get a list of available cars in your area. These may be from dealers or individuals, and can also be a good place to sell your car after your buying search is finished. Start with the CarSmart.com [http://www.carsmart.com] web site where one can research individual vehicles, find prices, read manufacturer specifications, peruse a huge number of classified ads from both dealers and private parties, evaluate insurance policies and compare warranties. Then read the article "Car Buying Help From the Internet" for a larger view of the shopping and information options online.

Buying online is another matter entirely. Only a very small number -- perhaps 1 to 2 percent of all new car purchases are actually completed online. This occurs because the transaction medium is still immature. Moreover, the system of buying in the dealership or from fleet sales organizations, from affiliations groups and credit unions is so much more mature. In the used-car arena we expect the research and shopping to occur online, but transaction completion still occurs face-to-face. This remains necessary because of the critical nature of having a mechanical evaluation of a used vehicle before purchase. This is changing rapidly.

Used-Car Dealers

This is one of the most abused groups in our society and, unfortunately, some owners and salespeople have earned their reputations. The biggest drawback to buying from these people is that the small used car dealers don't have to ascribe to any set of standards. This is not to say that there are not good dealers, nor does this preclude getting a good car and a good deal at these stores. It just may require more work and more precautions.

Used-car dealers usually buy their cars from new car dealers or auctions, taking the cars that are older or in tattered condition. They sometimes will buy from an individual, but expect a rock-bottom offer. They will do their best to make them cosmetically appealing, but seldom spend money on repairs. Be sure to have an independent mechanic check your intended purchase.

Usually used-car dealers are oriented toward low-income buyers and will offer self-financing, but at usurious rates. They may offer a short-term warranty, but be sure you read and understand it. It is usually stacked in favor of the seller. They often require that any warranty repairs be done by their mechanic.

Occasionally they will take trades, but don't expect this.

Dealer Auctions

First, it is necessary to know someone to get access to these auctions, but some places are looser than others. Unless you know a dealer, someone in the industry, or a fleet manager well enough to ask a favor, this option is not open to you.

Auctions are where dealers dispose of slow-moving inventories, manufacturers shed their over-built supplies, cars from the press fleets get sold, and similar new cars are wholesaled. Used cars that show up here are usually from unwanted trade-ins.

Sometimes dealers will bring in new, hot-selling models to sell at a premium price -- above retail. Lots of Miatas, Vipers, and new VW Beetles were brought in by dealers from small communities who sold them to dealers in more affluent areas at a higher price then the cars might have sold for at their own lots.

You can find a good deal, but remember you are bidding against dealers who know the value of the cars, and you won't wind up with any real steals. The full price must be paid on the spot, and there is no warranty or promise of condition unless there is an original manufacturer's warranty still in force.

Municipal Auctions

This is the ultimate "buyer beware" outlet, but municipal auctions are usually attended only by used-car dealers, hobbyists and bargain hunters. Most are advertised in a paper with a listing of cars to be sold, but to minimize the cost, they usually advertise in a community paper with the cheapest classified advertising rates.

These cars are often picked up as abandoned -- usually for good reason. At the same time, some are picked up as crime confiscations, especially from drug and DWI arrests.

I used to frequent these auctions when I was running a foreign car shop, looking for parts cars, but bought some respectable running beaters. Once I bought a 1949 Mercedes 190S Convertible for $40 that ran and had all the parts, and another time got a 1950 Ford Coupe for $70 with a newer, reworked engine that had been used as a moonshine runner.

These cars generally do not have titles, but all the paperwork will be available to get an abandoned vehicle titled in the state where the sale took place, usually a very easy process. (Call the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state and ask what the procedure is to get a title to a car without one.) Of course, all deals are cash on the spot and they probably will not take personal checks. There is no warranty and, if the vehicle is not removed promptly, you may find yourself liable for tow fees greater than the selling price.

Fleet Sales

Any group that has a large corps of vehicles usually buys them at special prices from dealer consortia or the manufacturer. When it is time to dispose of them, they are usually wholesaled, but sometimes will be sold to the public. These are usually advertised in the classified ads. Car rental firms sometimes have used-car showrooms. Corporate vehicles are usually sold privately. Some research is required if you are interested in these vehicles.

Most of the fleets are owned by utility companies, municipalities, and rental companies. If you have access, it may pay to find out how a company disposes of its corporate cars. Not only are salesperson and work vehicles included, but sometimes executive cars are available as well. Find out the standards for disposing of their cars. Sometimes the standards are based strictly on age or mileage, but in these value-conscious times, fleets frequently run vehicles until the repair history shows a negative trend. Only a masochist would buy an old police car, which usually is a rough-riding base model with the speedometer turned over several times, and lots of hard miles.

Sometimes the more organized sellers, such as rental companies, will offer arrangements with a financing company. Some large companies allow their employees to pay for ex-company cars as a payroll deduction without interest.

Individuals

Start by visiting the New Car Buying Guide Marketplace. Then look in the major newspapers. Also check weekend parking lot sales, community publications, bulletin boards, local shopper papers available at convenience stores, and web site listings. Frequently these less common sources will contain a real bargain. Find out which companies or shopping centers will allow people to display their cars, as it provides a good opportunity to evaluate what is being sold without facing the seller.

Friends and Family

This can be the best way to find a good car, since you know the owner and how the vehicle was treated. If a person you know is thinking of trading up or if their lease is expiring, they will likely sell the car for the amount of lease buyout or trade-in -- resulting in considerable savings for the buyer.

Just remember not to buy a problem car from a family member or friend. This can cause an irreparable tear in the relationship if the car ends up needing expensive repairs. A vehicle newly off-lease may be a safe choice, but an older used car requires a more careful examination.

Buyer Advertising

If the car you really want is a Belchfire Custom Six, simply generate some flyers and index cards indicating the desired make and model and put the notes on bulletin boards. If you actually see the car that you want, put a flyer or a note on that car.

Through your research to determine the car's value, you may end up better informed than the owner, and it is surprising how many responses will be received. Obviously for special or collector cars, the request should be placed on the Internet, in collector journals, at car club meets and in their newsletter. Place your own "want ads" in these publications when searching for a specific vehicle. Again, the New Car Buying Guide Marketplace is a free spot to put forth your request.

If you are looking for a collector car, read the article "Buying a Collector's Car."

In Summary

The places to look for a used car will be based on budget, the age of the target car, and its rarity. If price is not the primary concern, dealerships and superstores are the best option for finding late-model cars with warranty and certification. It will take a little more creativity to find an older or more uncommon set of wheels. Pre-owned cars which are certified by the automaker, such as those available from Volvo Certified Pre-Owned Car Program, provide a good value. They are backed by the manufacturer, the risk is minimal and research time can be reduced.