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I have always purchased my cars used. And each time, I got a great deal. Don’t think I counted on luck, though – no siree. There are a few “musts” for making sure you don’t end up drinking “lemon”-ade.

Spending a little time now may save you serious money later. Check Consumer Reports on the safest cars out there. Looks are one thing, but don’t ignore safety.

Go to a reputable car repair shop and ask if you can bring the vehicle by for a look-over. While you’re there, ask what cars they have to repair most often. Take heed. Also, ask what the inspection includes, how long it takes, and the price. Always get this information in writing – just to be safe.

Once the vehicle has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs. Be sure the report includes the vehicles make, model and VIN. Go over it with a fine-toothed comb and make sure you understand every item. If you decide to make an offer to the dealer after approving the inspection, you can use the estimated repair costs to negotiate the price of the vehicle.

Are you going to purchase from an individual?

Remember, private sellers generally are not covered by the Used Car Rule and dont have to use the Buyers Guide. However, you can use the Guides list of an autos major systems as a shopping tool. You also can ask the seller if you can have the vehicle inspected by your mechanic. If he/she says no… beware. No matter how nice the car appears, something fishy is going on.

Now, a private sale likely will be on an “as is” basis, unless your purchase agreement with the seller specifically states otherwise. If you have a written contract, the seller has to live up to the contract. The car also may be covered by a manufacturers warranty or a separately purchased service contract. But that doesn’t mean that the warranty and service contract are transferable. Plus, other limits or costs may apply. Before you buy the car, ask if it’s still under warranty or service contract, and review that baby carefully.

Some states will require vehicle sellers to pass a vehicle inspection before a sale is made. That’s not always the case, though. To find out what your state requires, contact your state Attorney General’s office or a local consumer protection agency. Hey, it’s just a phone call. And it could save you a real headache later!

Whether you end up buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car:

Examine the car carefully yourself using an inspection checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used car. My favorite book that I’ve used several times is How to Buy and Maintain a Used Car by Brad Crouch.

Once I bought a used car in August, and never thought to test the rear defroster. Guess what? Come November, I found out it didn’t work. If you’re shopping in the summer, don’t forget to check the heater. And if it’s cold as ice outside, still turn that air on full blast and make sure it works!

Test drive the car under varied road conditionson hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.

Ask for the cars maintenance record. If the owner doesnt have copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done. They may share their files with you.

Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the cars history.

Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.

There you go. Do your homework, and it’s very likely that, like me, you’ll find yourself buying used every time!

The cost of a new car nowadays equals about what my parents paid for their first home. It’s not a purchase to be taken lightly. You want to do everything possible to ensure you get a great deal.

Never rush your decision. If you are completely without transportation, rent a vehicle until you find the right car. When you rush a purchase, you usually end up on the losing end of the deal.

Thanks to the Internet, you can uncover the typical retail cost of a specific make and model. With a little digging, you can find out the wholesale cost as well. This information makes you a powerful negotiator.

You want a win-win situation with the car dealership. They need to make some profit, and you need to feel you paid a fair price. It’s fair to negotiate to a price that’s 500 above dealer cost or about 20% off the sticker price. So take along your calculator when you shop.

If the only cars on the lot have expensive options you don’t care for, you might want to order a car to your specifications. You might wait a bit, but will save money on options you don’t need.

Check with the dealership to see if you can return the car if you don’t like it. I did this once. The car I purchased ended up less comfortable than my old car, so the next morning I took it back for my check and my trade-in. Many dealerships now offer this option.

You may have heard the advice to shop the last day of the month for better deals. It’s true that you might get a better deal from a salesman then.

As far as trade-ins go, do your research here, too. Knowing the value of your old car makes it easier to negotiate a better price for it. Try not to talk about a trade-in possibility until you get a purchase price.

I researched the value of my little red Corolla and found that it was 3500. One dealership offered me 1200 because “they’d have to repaint it”. Another dealership offered me 3500 and complimented me on taking such good care of the engine. Stick to your guns when it comes to getting the value of your trade-in, especially if youve had your car serviced regularly.

You may want to advertise your older car and sell it privately. Typically you can get a better price this way, but it may take a little time.

A service contract will likely be brought into the negotiation. The consumer information I’ve read discourages buying an extra contract on a new car, as it’s not likely a problem will occur during the first months of use.

Whatever you do, always read the fine print of any contract before signing it. Ask a bazillion questions about what certain phrases mean if you dont understand something.

Simply because the car just rolled off the factory line doesnt mean you should buy it without asking questions. Keep on your toes during the negotiation process. Theres nothing like the thrill of getting a new car AND creating a win-win situation for you and the dealer.

The Volvo 940 is a part of the Swedish car makers line up of vehicles. Fact is, this vehicle is one of the last of the large rear wheel drive cars that is produced under the Volvo brand and name. In the United States and the rest of North America, the Volvo 940 made its way to public knowledge as a 1991 model. This series of vehicles were in essence just a style and design makeover of the Volvo 740. People claimed this was so because the drivetrains one found on the Volvo 940 is also what the Volvo 740 used. But not only that, for the Volvo 940 also has most features that the older vehicle had.

The sharing of components part was what led people to think that the Volvo 940 was just another Volvo 740. In fact, the Volvo 940 held the same dashboard, and the same choices for its drivetrain. Also the same was the sheetmetal from the A pillar forward. But of course, there were changes and distinctions between the two. If one would look at the brighter side of these two cars, he would be able to see that the Volvo 940 is more updated and was the car that underwent evolution.

This vehicle model from Volvo was made available in body styles that comprise of the sedan (salon), and the wagon (estate). The last of its kind rolled off the manufacturing plants in the year 1998. Going back to its humble beginnings, the Volvo 940 was actually introduced to the public along with its sibling, the Volvo 960. Both of these vehicles held seen petrol engines with four cylinders. There was also the optional turbocharged engine as well as the turbo diesel engine with six cylinders. And just like any other Volvo vehicle, the Volvo 940 came packed with safety features. The collection of safety features included a three-point inertia-reel seat belt, an adjustable head restraint in the middle of the rear seat, and an integrated child seat built into the rear sears middle armrest. The adjustable head restraint was actually a precursor to the worlds first. This leaps done by Volvo with the Volvo 940 as per safety was recognized well enough. And for that, Volvo received international awards that included the Prince Michael Road Safety Award as well as the prize for the best safety features from Auto Car and Motor.

Carjacking. What is it? Well, it is a crime of motor vehicle theft. Most of the time, a carjacker is armed so much so that the owner of the driver of the car is forced out of the vehicle.

Aside from the fact that you may never see your vehicle again, carjacking could also be very hazardous to both your physical safety as well as the carjackers. You see, if you are the victim, you may try to maneuver your way out and in the process run the carjacker over. On the other hand, the carjacker could use their weapon and try shooting you. They also try pushing the occupant out of the car.

If you are simply going to park your car, make sure that you park it somewhere that has lots of lights. Also, be sure that it is a busy area with plenty of motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic. If possible, try parking somewhere that is very close to your destination. The more people around, the lesser the chances of a carjacker striking and working up the nerve to attack your car.

Also, make sure that everything valuable is hidden. Keep your windows rolled up and check all doors and windows before leaving the car. Make sure everything is locked up. And when you are going back to your car, have your keys handy. These carjackers could attack when you are posed trying to search for your keys. Be on the alert always.

On the other hand, if you are on the road, make sure that your car is always well-maintained. This assures you that the chances of your car breaking down are slimmer. Cars that have broken down are the usual targets for carjackers. Driving should also be something to plan ahead of time. It would be best if you try going through routes that are busy and well-lit.

The center lane is more safe. Remember that once you get stuck in traffic, the carjackers would have to go though a tough time first before they actually reach your car.