Dallas Area Used Cars

Dependable Used Cars Under $10,000

2011-03-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

Here's a list of 15 dependable used cars as rated by MyRide.com. They base their ratings on the JD Power Dependability Study.

2003 Buick Century
2003 Buick LeSabre
2003 Chevy Impala
2001 Chevy Malibu
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
2002 Dodge Intrepid
2003 Ford Taurus
2001 Honda Civic
2005 Kia Spectra
2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
2002 Mercury Sable
2001 Nissan Altima
2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
2001 Toyota Corolla
2001 Toyota Camry

Source: http://www.myride.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_page_order_int/1/article_id_int/6573

Best Used Cars for 2011

2011-03-01T00:16:00.000-06:00

Consumer Reports has released their best bets for used cars for 2011. They base their findings on above-average reliability for multiple years between 1999 and 2008. Here is their list of the best rated used cars:

Best Small Car: Honda Civic

Other good choices:

Toyota Echo
Scion xB
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Matrix
Pontiac Vibe
Mazda3
Mazda Protege
Subaru Impreza

Best Family Car: Honda Accord

Other good choices:

Toyota Prius
Ford Fusion
Mercury Milan
Toyota Camry (except '08 V6)
Subaru Outback (6-cyl.)
Nissan Altima

Best Pickup Truck: Honda Ridgeline

Other good choices:

Toyota Tacoma ('05-08)
Toyota Tundra
Subaru Baja
Nissan Frontier ('05-08)

Best SUVs: Small - Toyota RAV4 Large - Honda Pilot

Others:

Honda CR-V
Subaru Forester
Mitsubishi Outlander
Toyota Highlander
Lexus RX
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota 4Runner
Hyundai Santa Fe
Subaru Tribeca
Nissan Xterra ('05-08)
Toyota Sequoia

See the complete list:
http://autos.yahoo.com/consumerreports/article/best_and_worst_used_cars.html

Worst Used Cars for 2011

2011-02-28T09:03:00.000-06:00

According to Consumer Reports, these used cars are rated the worst for reliability among 1999 - 2008 models. They have multiple years of worse-than-average reliability ratings.

Audi A6 Allroad
Audi A8
BMW X5 (V8)
Buick Rendezvous (AWD)
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Blazer
Chevrolet Colorado (4WD)
Chevrolet S-10 (4WD)
Chevrolet Uplander
Chevrolet Venture
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Sebring convertible
Chrysler Town & Country (AWD)
Dodge Grand Caravan (AWD)
GMC Canyon (4WD)
GMC Jimmy
GMC S-15 Sonoma (4WD) Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sedona
Land Rover Discovery, LR3
Mazda RX-8
Oldsmobile Bravada
Oldsmobile Silhouette
Pontiac Aztek
Pontiac G6 (V6)
Pontiac Montana, Montana SV6
Porsche Cayenne
Saturn Relay
Volkswagen Cabrio
Volkswagen Jetta (V6)
Volkswagen New Beetle (turbo)
Volkswagen Passat (V6, FWD)
Volkswagen Touareg
Volvo XC90 (6-cyl.)

Source: http://autos.yahoo.com/consumerreports/article/best_and_worst_used_cars.html

Best Used Cars Under $5,000

2011-01-17T08:10:00.000-06:00

Found an interesting article at Edmunds.com regarding the best cheap used cars (under $5000.) It may take some searching to find one, but they say the deals are out there.

1994-2001 Acura Integra GS-R
1985-'94 Chevrolet Camaro/Pontiac Firebird
1984-'96 Chevrolet Corvette
1986-2004 Ford Mustang
1997-2001 Honda Prelude
1990-'98 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T/GSX and Eagle Talon TSi/TSi AWD
1990-2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1989-'98 Nissan 240SX
1998-2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
1991-'95 Toyota MR2

CarFax Hints

2010-04-19T08:22:00.002-05:00

What to Look for in a CarFax History Report

It's pretty well understood that it is a good idea to get a CarFax History report on a used car that you are considering purchasing.

What information do you need to get from the CarFax?

Accident History - lets you know if the car has been in a reported traffic accident. It will also tell you if the car has a salvage title, meaning the car was totalled for insurance purposes.
Where Car Has Been Registered - will tell you where in the country the car has been registered in the past. Why is this important? In the Dallas area, you'll want to know if the car was present during hurricanes. You'll want to know if the car was in the New Orleans area during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, or in the SE Texas / SW Louisiana area during Hurricane Rita in September 2005. Depending on where the car was, you may want to research that area for the time period. If the car was in the storm-affected area, you'll want to examine the car carefully for signs of flood damage.

If you would like a CarFax History report, or would like a mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection of a used car, visit CarChex

How Used Car Dealerships Make Money

2010-04-18T13:04:00.003-05:00

Watch Your Wallet!

Saving money at a used car dealership can be a tricky thing, to say the least. An understanding of where the money flows at a dealership can help you protect yourself during used car negotiations.

Used Cars

You never know how much money the dealership has tied up in a used car, so you are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to negotiating a used car deal. The dealership may have obtained the car by auction, or a trade-in, so you have no basis from which to negotiate your used car deal. Make sure to check out Kelley Blue Book's Used Car information to get the local value of the car in question. They show you retail prices, trade-in prices, even private seller prices. This information will help you greatly in your negotiations.

Finance and Insurance Office (F&I)

The F & I manager will pretend to be your "friend" by "helping" you get your used car financed, help you protect your investment with extended warranties, etc. He is paid by commission, so he'll probably recommend the products and financing that will pay him the best.

To save money, get a car loan financing quote online at InstantCarLoan.com, and an extended warranty quote from CARCHEX Auto Warranty BEFORE you go to the used car lot. They will give you great leverage in dealing with the F & I office at the dealership.

Salesperson or Internet Manager

Salespeople are paid by commission, so they make more money when you pay more money. Naturally, this isn't the best situation for you. Internet Sales Managers, on the other hand, are usually salaried employees with bonuses for more sales. This is a better situation for you, as the internet manager is looking for quantity in sales, as opposed to making a huge amount of money from one car sale.

You can search many of the local used car dealers from one place at CarsDirect.com. where you'll also find contact information for the internet sales manager.

If you'll follow the information above, you can find a great used car, find the fair price for the used car, and get financing and extended warranty quotes to help you make the best used car deal possible.

Cash for Clunkers Program

2009-07-26T13:54:00.003-05:00

Chances are, this info may not be helpful to my readers, but I've been asked about the qualifications for the government's new Cash for Clunkers program.

Here are some of the basics:

First off, it is only available for the purchase of "new" cars, not used cars.
To be eligible, your car must have been made within the last 25 years, insured by the same owner for at least one year prior to trade in, and have an official fuel mileage economy rating of under 18 mpg. To find out your car’s efficiency rating visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
For Passenger Cars: New passenger cars will qualify under the program only if they have a fuel economy of at least 22 MPG. If the new model gets four more miles to the gallon than the old car, you qualify for the $3,500 credit. With a 10 MPG improvement or more, you can qualify for a $4,500 credit.
For Trucks and SUVs: For light trucks, SUVs and minivans, the new vehicle has to get at least 18 MPG and can offer as little as a 2 MPG improvement over the old one to qualify for $3,500. With a minimum 5 MPG improvement, you can qualify for $4,500.

The old car gets "trashed." It cannot be resold, so if your trade-in value is more than the voucher you would qualify for, then you are better off not participating in the program.

Bad Credit Car Loans

2009-07-19T12:39:00.002-05:00

If you have bad credit, InstantCarLoan.com can help you get the car you need.

Applying is simple, and you get approved before you leave home, and you'll know how much you can spend, and what your payment will be, before you even step foot on a car lot.

If you need auto financing, then check out InstantCarLoan

Top Used Family Sedans

2009-07-12T16:11:00.002-05:00

MyRide.com rates the Top 10 used car family sedans.

Their Top 10 List of Used Family Sedans:

2001-2002 Honda Accord - Price range: $9,750-11,250
2002-2005 Toyota Camry - Price range: $11,250-16,250
2003-2005 Honda Accord - Price range: $14,250-17,250
2004-2005 Toyota Prius - Price range: $20,250-23,250
2005 Honda Accord Hybrid - Price range: $21,250-21,250
2001-2002 Mazda 626 - Price range: $6,250-$7,000
2004-2005 Chevrolet Malibu - Price range: $10,250-11,250
2001-2004 Saturn L 100/200/300 - Price range: $7,250-$10,250
2004-2005 Hyundai Elantra - Price range: $9250-10,250
2002-2005 Mitsubishi Lancer - Price range: $7,250-13,250

Best used Cars for Gas Mileage

2009-07-11T17:15:00.000-05:00

Found a nice article where Consumer Reports lists the top used cars for gas mileage.

Here is their list for the best cheap (under $10,000) used cars that get the best gas mileage:

2000 Honda Insight (manual transmission)
2001-03 Toyota Prius
2000-05 Toyota Echo
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
1999-2001 Acura Integra LS (manual)
2004-05 Scion xB
1999-2000 Toyota Corolla LE
2004-05 Scion xA
2007 Hyundai Accent GS (manual)

Best Small Cars for the Money

2008-10-19T13:54:00.003-05:00

According to Forbes.com, these are the

10 Best Small Cars for the Money:

Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Nissan Versa
Toyota Yaris
Chevy Cobalt
Mazda 3
Chevy Aveo
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Rabbit
Nissan Sentra

Can You Still Get Car Loans?

2008-10-13T13:38:00.002-05:00

I've been asked if car loans are available due to the recent Wall Street problems.

I've spoken to a couple of my used car buddies about this, and they all say the same thing...

"Yes, auto financing is still available!"

According to them, the recent economic problems affecting the mortgage industry has not affected the automobile finance industry. The same rules and qualifications still apply for auto financing, and loans are readily available as always.

Hurricane Ike Cars

2008-10-01T08:14:00.003-05:00

Be careful when buying a used car in the Dallas area. There will probably be an influx of used cars coming to Dallas from the Houston / Galveston area soon. You'll want to be sure that the car you are looking at wasn't flooded at some point.

Check These Things Out to Check for Flood Damage:

Feel under the seats and behind the dash for mud or dirt. These are hard to clean spots that might indicate possible flood damage.
Have the windows rolled up, and let the car sit in the sun for a bit. Then smell inside the car. If you smell a musty odor, that's a possible sign of water damage.
Check all the electronics. Electronics are particularly susceptible to water damage. Make sure the radio, all the power windows, door locks, wipers, heat and air, and other electronic components are working properly.

Best Times to Buy a Car

2008-09-30T22:20:00.002-05:00

There are certain times of the year that are better than others when going to buy a car. These tips don't only apply to new cars, but to used cars as well.

The Best Times of the Year to Buy a Car

End of the Model Year - Right before the new models come out, (usually September) is a great time to shop for a car. Dealers want the "old" models gone, so you can't compare prices, since the new models will undoubtedly cost more.
Holidays - Dealerships always run sales, and offer incentives (rebates, special financing, etc.) during long holiday weekends.
End of the Month - Salespeople at car dealerships have monthly quotas they need to fill, and of course, they need a little more money on that monthly paycheck too. The end of month is a great time shop on the used car lot.
End of the Calendar Year - Dealerships have to pay taxes on every car on the lot as of the close of business on December 31, so doing a little post-Christmas car shopping could get you a good deal.

Worst Resale Value Used Cars

2008-08-30T16:39:00.002-05:00

Here's BankRate.com's list of used cars that don't hold resale value, meaning when you go to trade them in a couple years, they ain't worth much:

Lincoln Town Car
Chevrolet Uplander
Kia Spectra
Suzuki Reno
Kia Rio
Hyundai Accent
Suzuki Forenza
Kia Optima
Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Hyundai Entourage

Used Cars with Best Resale Value

2008-08-30T16:33:00.003-05:00

According to BankRate.com, here are the best cars in terms of resale value. They hold their values well, so when you go to sell them years down the road, you can actually get something for them.

Here they are:

Volkswagen R32
Jeep Wrangler
Mini-Cooper
Scion XB
Honda CR-V
Toyota RAV4
Infiniti G35/G37
Dodge Viper
BMW 1 Series
Nissan Rogue

Online Auto Financing

2008-08-21T12:16:00.003-05:00

Did you know that you can finance your next vehicle online... before you even step foot on a car lot? And it can save you some good money too... even if you have bad credit!

It's really pretty easy...

You simply do a short credit application on the internet, and when you're approved, they'll send you a voucher and a contract that you take to the dealership with you. This way, you make the dealership compete to finance your car.

For more information, check out the page I created on my DallasAreaUsedCars.com website.

Affordable Small Cars

2008-08-10T23:33:00.003-05:00

U.S. News and World Report released their top and bottom choices for affordable small new cars. (I had no idea U.S. News rated cars... or why!)

Anyways...

Their Top 5 Affordable Cars:

Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Honda Civic Hybrid (guess they like Hondas)
Mazda Mazda3
Scion xB

Their Bottom 3 Affordable Small Cars:

Chevrolet Aveo
Suzuki Reno
Suzuki Forenza

If you want to read their whole article,

Click Here

Cheap Auto Parts

2008-08-03T01:33:00.007-05:00

Hey guys,
Gotta little tip for ya for finding cheap auto parts that I learned when I needed a new taillight for my wife's car. The dealership wanted a couple hundred bucks for a new one, which I didn't have. (Not exactly something I budget for.) And heck, all the good junkyards have been built over with new houses around here.

I figured I'd do a little internet research, and wow, did I make a discovery. eBay has a huge selection of auto parts, and I was able to pick up a used taillight for about $40. They have about everything you can think of, from alternators to quarterpanels, and if you're rebuilding a classic car, you'll find just about any part you're looking for there.

A couple tips if you've never bought anything on eBay before:

read the sellers "feedback" to be sure of their business practices
be aware of the shipping charge
make sure they guarantee that the part fits or works

If you're looking for an auto part, click the link below, then enter what you are looking for in the search box, I think you'll be surprised at the deals you can find there.

Search for Auto Parts on eBay

Grand Prairie Ford

2008-07-22T22:37:00.003-05:00

Saw a commercial on tv saying that Grand Prairie Ford has all their used cars for sale at $49 down (+tt&l) and pay the payments on the window. They also said that "your job is your credit," so there might be a little something affordable there for those looking for a used car.

Watch out for the number of payments though... reading the "small print" on their commercial, the $169 a month car had 75 payments. Wow, that's more than 6 years! Consider the age of the vehicle if you do something like that. Just my 2 cents.

If you've done business with Grand Prairie Ford, please reply back to this post and let folks know how you were treated there.

Things Never to Tell a Car Salesman

2008-07-14T00:47:00.002-05:00

Here are some things that you NEVER want to tell a car salesman.

"I love, love, love this car" - you'll likely get a response like "That's a really hot car and we had someone in here just the other day and... He just won't take less than..."
"I need to get a car by tomorrow" - He'll know you won't be looking too closely at the particulars of the deal and you aren't likely to drive across town to try to get a better price.
It also means you're more likely to accept whatever he shows you from the dealership's inventory even if it doesn't exactly suit you... i.e. that piece of crap sitting on the back lot for the last year.
"I need a monthly payment of..." - Almost any given monthly payment is possible provided the loan is long enough and the downpayment is big enough. To understand how much car you can really afford, you need more than a monthly payment figure. Know what monthly payment you want, for how long and how much you want to pay up front. You also need a fairly good idea of what your trade-in is worth.
"My trade-in's outside" - If you hand over your keys to save time, consider the downside... guess what's going to happen if you reach an impasse in the negotiations and decide it's time to leave. You'll have to ask for you car keys back. And, odds are good, they will have been misplaced.
"My credit's a little spotty" - Many people underestimate their own credit rating - and they're the people who are big moneymakers for car dealers. Part of the interest you pay is shared with the dealership, so they might be pleased to confirm your belief that you don't qualify for a low interest rate. To make sure you're getting the best financing deal, secure your own financing before you start shopping. Having another loan in place - one you can use if you don't like what the dealership is offering - gives you negotiating power. It also lets you know exactly what you qualify for.

Source: http://money.cnn.com

Hypermiling

2008-06-21T11:00:00.002-05:00

With gas prices hovering around $4 a gallon, many people are trying to squeak out every bit of gas mileage out of their vehicles.

Some people are taking it to the extreme.

The term "hypermiling" has recently come about, and it describes those that are basically obsessed with increasing their gas mileage. Some of the extreme tactics these hypermilers are trying include:

Of course, buying a Prius, or other "green" vehicle
Driving with the air conditioner off - kinda tough here in Dallas
"Drafting" off of big rigs - makes for a turbulent ride...it's unsafe...and illegal
Overinflating tires - can lead to blowouts on hot Texas roads
Oh, some are even getting so extreme, that they're staying within the speed limit to save gas!

Texas Auto Theft Numbers Climb in 2007

2008-01-25T07:29:00.000-06:00

'07 Sees Spike in Un-Recovered Trucks and SUVs

IRVING, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The number of Allstate insured vehicles in Texas that were stolen and never found, jumped 11 percent from 2006 to 2007. Texas' second largest auto insurer says a large portion of these un-recovered vehicles were SUVs and trucks -- sending a message to drivers of these popular Texas vehicles that where and how you park your car can be as important as remembering to lock the doors.

"The majority of stolen full-size trucks and SUVs are taken into Mexico and used to transport narcotics and human smuggling. After that, these vehicles are stripped, used for parts or sold to unsuspecting buyers in Mexico and the U.S.," said Officer Steve Plummer with the El Paso County Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Taskforce. "The size, carrying capacity, off- road capability, monetary value and availability of large trucks and SUVs will continue to make these vehicles prime targets for thieves".

According to Allstate Insurance Company, there was a 22 percent spike in un-recovered SUVs and a 17 percent increase in un-recovered trucks last year in the Lone Star State. Ford F-250 and 350 pick-ups are the most common type of un-recovered truck or SUV. The Acura Integra was the most common type of un-recovered, non-truck luxury vehicle.

The overall number of stolen Allstate-insured vehicles, both recovered and un-recovered in Texas, increased 1.2 percent from 2006 to 2007 with 4,188 auto theft claims filed statewide last year -- costing more than $34 million.

"Texas has the second highest auto theft rate in the country," said Dena Kudlac, a Dallas Ft. Worth area Allstate Insurance Company Exclusive Agent. "Auto theft is one of the most expensive crimes Texans face annually; representing millions of dollars for consumers."

It can take a thief less than 10 seconds to break into a car. A team of skilled "strippers" using no power-tools can tear apart a car or truck in just six minutes, leaving an empty shell on blocks.

The auto safety experts at Allstate have six tips to not tempt thieves...

Choose your spot carefully:
Park in a populated, well-lit area where you are able to periodically check on the vehicle.

Don't tempt thieves:

Put all valuables in your trunk out of plain sight. If you have an expensive car stereo, make sure you are able to detach the stereo face and bring it with you.

Remember to lock-up:

The cheapest form of defense is common sense: Lock your car, roll up your windows and take your keys.

Get Visible:

A steering wheel lock that fits across the wheel or an alarm system visible through the windshield suggests "this one is going to take to take longer" and a thief will look elsewhere.

Go high-tech:

"Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs, and smart keys are extremely effective. If your car won't start, it won't get stolen. On the higher end of high-tech, tracking devices can alert you-and law enforcement-the moment an unauthorized user moves your vehicle.

Protect your parts:

More than 75,000 air bags are stolen every year, according to estimates by the Insurance Information Institute, costing insurers and vehicle owners more than $50 million. Steering wheel covers can help you deter theft.

What Your Car Says About You

2008-01-23T08:27:00.000-06:00

A little something just for fun...
excerpted from MSN autos. written by Lawrence Ulrich

So with tongue firmly in cheek, here are what some popular rides say about you:

Toyota Prius

We get it. You love the planet like a fat kid loves cake. Tell you what — I'll acknowledge your superior consciousness when you stop driving 52 in the fast lane.

Hummer

Gotta hand it to you. You don't give a three-ton truck about what other people think. That's the attitude that tamed the Old West, that built the auto industry, that barged into Iraq to keep that oil...um, never mind.

MINI Cooper (urban dweller)

You've got the haircut, the clothes, a taste for obscure bands and obscure coffee blends. What car could possibly make the cut in that hip dictatorship you call a neighborhood?

MINI Cooper (suburban dweller)

"Oooh, honey, isn't that just the cutest thing?"

Yugo

You have a sense of humor. And you're contemplating suicide.

Chevy pickup

You hate soccer, unless your kids are playing. You still wonder what happened to Garth Brooks. You'll buy a Toyota pickup when there's a toboggan run in hell.

Lexus

"I don't even like cars, but since this is shopping, I'm going to spend a lot of money."

BMW

"My [insert noun] is better than yours."

Rolls-Royce

"Please, tell me: What actually was so bad about colonialism?"

Lamborghini

"This car is the most interesting thing about me."

Porsche (as interpreted by Corvette owner)

"What a jerk. Probably a lawyer, trust-fund brat, never worked an honest day in his life. Bet he gets his nails manicured."

Corvette (as interpreted by Porsche owner)

"What a jerk. Probably thinks NASCAR is real racing. He thinks 'dressing up' means a monogrammed bowling shirt."

Corvette and Porsche (as interpreted by attractive woman).

"What a jerk. Probably takes Viagra. Twice divorced, mid-life crisis. Sad."

Lawrence Ulrich lives in Brooklyn and writes about cars. His reviews and features appear regularly in The New York Times, Popular Science, Men's Vogue and Travel + Leisure Golf.

Ratings for "Green" Cars

2008-01-22T08:34:00.000-06:00

Found a ratings page for alternative fuel vehicles that I thought some of y'all might be interested in. Click the link to check it out.

Use Your Horsepower Sense, Buy Used

2008-01-21T10:02:00.000-06:00

The North American International Auto Show opens to the public on Jan. 19 in Detroit, showcasing luxury sedans, shiny sports cars, and roomy SUVs that rival some of the city's single-family homes in price.

But while there's nothing like being the first to nestle in a new car's supple leather seats and inhale that fresh-from-the-assembly-line perfume, it's an expensive romance.

Online Shopping Soars, New-Car Values Drop
If the idea of saving thousands of dollars is more thrilling to you than that new-car smell, you'll find your heart's desire in the used car market. A wider pool of quality used cars, and progress in Internet search functionality, have vastly changed the buying experience.

In 2007, roughly one in four buyers of late-model used vehicles relied on an Internet vehicle locator or online classified ad service to find the auto they purchased. That's a 44 percent jump over the previous year, according to a study by J.D. Power and Associates.

And there's no beating the price. "People don't think of depreciation as an out-of-pocket cost, but it is," says Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com and author of "Strategies for Smart Car Buyers." "There's a steep drop off in [value] in the first year, and 30 percent depreciation by the end of the third year."

For example, Edmunds looked at the Lexus GS 430 and GS 450. "The first-year depreciation on the new car is $14,000; if you bought a two-year-old model, the depreciation is $3,000 in the first year of ownership," says Reed.

Know What You're Looking For
Before you begin your search, get the Kelley Blue Book value on the make, model, and year of the car you're considering. Edmunds offers two appraisal tools: the True Market Value guide and the True Cost to Own calculator, which considers ownership costs like maintenance, repairs, depreciation, and fuel.

If you don't have a specific vehicle in mind, the $10 "Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide 2008," which comes out on Jan. 22, is a good place to start. Quality is widespread, experts say, so look beyond the popular brand names. "I worked as a mechanic 30 years ago, and it wasn't unusual to overhaul the engine at 75,000 to 80,000 miles," says John Paul, AAA's southern New England "car doctor." "They don't make them like they used to -- and that's a good thing. The line between best and worst is pretty thin these days." (See my blog for specific model recommendations.)

Also get a one-month subscription to CARFAX, the oldest of several services that offer reports on a vehicle's history through its vehicle identification number (VIN). The report tells you how many owners the vehicle has had, when it was serviced, and whether there was an odometer rollback or a salvage report -- indicating that the car was stolen, in a serious accident, or flooded.

"The VIN can also let you know any outstanding recalls that need to be taken care of," says Paul, "Thirty to forty percent of recalls announced never actually get fulfilled."

Do Your Research
Next, head to the Internet. The sheer volume of listings, ease of use, ability to refine a search, and forums with advice from other buyers has mushroomed in recent years. Some 72 percent of Internet shoppers in 2007 visited consumer forums to get opinions from real car buyers, and 94 percent found it helpful, according to the J.D. Power and Associates study.

If you're someone who worries about buying a lemon, go to the individual automaker's home page and click on "certified pre-owned vehicles." These models are usually no more than five years old, and undergo an inspection based on the manufacturer's certification standards. Most important, you get a warranty. (Be sure to get the real deal from the manufacturer, rather than an extended service contract issued by a third party.)

All that reassurance can be costly, though. "You don't get the bargains in certified shopping, because they try to turn used-car buying into a new-car experience," says Reed. "You don't need a mechanical inspection of a vehicle, and they give you a guarantee. That makes it simple, but you will pay extra."

Online Bargains Abound
CarMax.com is another fast-growing seller that offers warranty protection. (Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought a 6 percent stake in the company last November.) CarMax operates 86 used car stores in 39 U.S. markets, where it buys, reconditions, and resells vehicles. You can search its entire network through the web site and have the car shipped to you for a fee. The company touts its no-haggle pricing and five-day money-back guarantee. (Even with a warranty, it may be worthwhile to pay an extra $100 or so to have a vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic.)

Then there are the online auto classified ad sites, offering vehicles from both dealers and private sellers. You can search by make, model, year, price, mileage, location, and more than a dozen specific features, from engine to upholstery. The biggest players include AutoTrader.com, with 3 million cars for sale; Cars.com; and eBay Motors, which had $18 billion in sales last year.

According to Reed, "eBay is a very active source, and it's my estimation that [non-specialty] cars sell at wholesale prices on eBay" He adds, "There's quite a bit of flexibility to search for local cars, and work with a seller in terms of inspecting it beforehand. People are also buying cars and having them shipped without a whole lot of fuss. There are usually provisions if [the vehicle] doesn't live up to the description." (See my blog for buying tips.)

Better Safe Than Sorry
As for safety, experts say most late-model used cars offer the critical features. First, examine the crash test data from both the government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Then put these top safety features on your shopping list:

• Airbags: Frontal airbags have been required since 1998 in passenger cars and 1999 in SUVs and trucks, but side- and rear-impact air bags are still optional, and may be difficult to find in used cars, says Reed.

• Antilock brake systems (ABS): When you slam on your brakes in a panic, you often lose steering ability. "If the wheels aren't turning, you're on a platform skidding forward," says Reed. "With ABS, you can continue to steer -- it's a huge development in safety." ABS can be found on two-thirds of new cars.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): This feature allows the car to sense when the wheels are losing traction on a turn, and independently brakes the wheels to keep you in the direction you need to go without rolling over. It's estimated to save between 5,000 and 10,000 lives a year. ESC was standard in half of new cars last year, and the government is requiring it in almost all vehicles by 2012.

•Tire pressure systems: "It's appalling how little attention people pay to the pressure in tires," says Reed, adding that these systems will become mandatory in new vehicles in 2008. "You begin to compromise safety at 5 percent below recommended pressure, fuel economy is compromised immediately, and the tire wear is increased."

What you won't find in the used market are the features like airbags for the legs and knees, lane departure warning systems, and rear back-up cameras, with a screen to show what's behind the vehicle when you put it in reverse. "There are going to be tradeoffs when you buy used," says Reed, "but you can find everything you need. And far and away the most important safety factor is the driver."

Free Advertising for Dallas Area Car Dealers

2007-11-10T08:40:00.000-06:00

If you are a car dealer in the Dallas area, I would like to offer you a FREE page on my website, DallasAreaUsedCars.com. It would include your dealership info (address, hours, contact info, etc.) as well as a simple listing of your inventory.

You may email the information to me (please include a picture of your dealership for the page,) or I can come by and get it. I'll update your page periodically.

Again, it's a totally free service I'm offering to you. I'm sure a little extra foot traffic on your lot wouldn't hurt anything.

Cars.com's 10 Best Used Cars for Under $10k

2007-11-07T08:31:00.000-06:00

Here is Cars.com's top 10 list for used cars costing less than $10,000. You can read the full article by clicking the header above.

2005 Ford Focus

2003 Ford Taurus

2003 Mazda Protegé

2003 Mercury Sable

2002 Buick LeSabre

2002 Chevrolet Impala

2002 Ford Windstar

2002 Honda Accord

2002 Honda Civic

2002 Oldsmobile Aurora

2002 Honda CR-V

2003 Subaru Forester

2005 Chevy Colorado

Best Used Cars for College Students

2007-11-06T09:41:00.000-06:00

About.com ranks the 10 best used cars for college students, and shows the typical used car price for them. To read the entire article, just click on the header above.

Here are their rankings:

2003 Mitsubishi Galant ($8,000)
2003 Toyota Echo ($8,000)
2003 Mazda Protégé/Protégé5 ($9,000)
2003 Pontiac Vibe ($10,000)
2003 Toyota Matrix ($11,000)
2003 Nissan Altima ($11,000)
2003 Honda Element ($11,000)
2003 Honda CR-V ($13,000)
2003 Acura Integra RSX ($13,000)
2003 Toyota RAV4 ($14,000)

Best Bets for Used Cars

2007-11-05T08:32:00.000-06:00

Edmunds.com is a great place to research new and used cars. They rate just about every vehicle, so you know what to expect from your next used car.

They released their "Best Bets" for used cars earlier this year, so thought I'd share those with you.

Compact Sedan: 2001-2005 Hyundai Elantra
Midsize Sedan: 2000-2005 Toyota Camry
Large Sedan: 2000-2005 Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis
Coupe: 2000-2005 BMW 3 Series
Convertible: 2000-2005 Mazda Miata
Wagon: 2003-2005 Pontiac Vibe
Compact SUV/Crossover: 2003-2005 Honda Element
Midsize SUV/Crossover: 2004-2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor
Large SUV/Crossover: 2000-2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
Minivan/Van: 2000-2005 Honda Odyssey
Compact Truck: 2000-2005 Toyota Tacoma
Large Truck: 2000-2005 Ford F-150
Luxury: 2003-2005 Infiniti G35
Hybrid: 2004-2005 Toyota Prius

To see what Edmunds had to say about these vehicles, here's the link:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/bestbet/articles/

Safest Cars for Under $25,000

2007-11-04T08:51:00.000-06:00

Car and Driver magazine recently released it's list of the 10 safest cars for under $25k. The list was based on crash ratings by the National Traffic Safety Administration. Here's their list in no particular order:

2008 Mazda CX-7
2008 Honda Accord
2008 Dodge Charger
2008 Volvo C30
2007 Toyota Camry
2007 Mini Cooper
2008 VW Rabbit
2008 Hyundai Sonata
2008 Scion XB
2008 Saturn Astra

What is Your Dream Car...and What Are You Driving Now?

2007-06-30T12:58:00.000-05:00

Tell us what you're driving now...and what you wish you were driving.

Got a Car For Sale?

2007-06-30T12:53:00.000-05:00

Post a free classified ad here to sell your used car. Please email me when your car sells so I can take down the ad though. Thanks

Tell Us About Local Car Dealers!

2007-06-30T12:49:00.000-05:00

Please post here to tell us about your dealings with local car dealers. Tell us how you were treated, etc. Also, give a shout out to auto salespeople that treated ya right...we ALL need a good salesperson to go to!