You’ve always wanted a brand new car but you can’t afford it. If so, you might consider buying a used car. With a little planning, you can get the vehicle you love without spending much.

Buying a used car doesn’t require a degree in physics. But it helps if you know what you’re doing. That way, you’ll avoid the bumps and roadblocks along the way.

First, get your priorities straight. Choose a car that fits your budget. Look around and see what fits the bill. The classifieds are a good place to start. Skim the papers for possible choices or you can surf the Internet. This will give you an idea of the kind of cars you can buy.

Next, take a long hard look at the mirror and ask yourself, “What do I need a car for?” Will you use it to go to work every day? Do you need one to pull off that bank heist you’ve long planned? (Just kidding!) Or will you be using it to bring your kids to school every morning?

Your answer will determine the kind of car you need. How far will you travel and how often will this happen? For long distances, a car that runs on diesel may be the right choice. For city driving, you’re better off with gasoline models.

How many passengers do you intend to carry? If it’s your mother-in-law or your girlfriend, a two-door model isn’t bad. With more people, a five-door model is better so they won’t suffer from claustrophobia.

How big are you? That cute car may be cheap but can you fit in it? Unless you’re a glutton for punishment, that small cramped car may not be practical even if it comes with a good price. On the other hand, if you’re a 97-pound weakling, a limousine may be too much!

You may think you’ve made a bargain by buying that low-riding sports car. But will it transport you safely out of flooded areas and carry you across those irritating speed bumps?

Next check the interiors. Those yellow leather seats may look lovely but they can catch dirt easily, especially if you have kids. The exterior color is important too. Dark colored cars are prone to accidents at night but that doesn’t mean you should settle for pink. (Next: Take the pain out of buying a used car.)

Looking for a good ride without spending much? Get great deals on used cars even with a bad credit. Visit Used Cars Lorain.

Buying a used car can be a painful experience. The road can be dark and bumpy, especially for novices who don’t know what to buy.

To make driving a pleasant experience, here are more tips to consider. As I mentioned in my previous article, you don’t have to be a genius to find the car of your dreams. All it takes is a little common sense and the right information. Do your homework to avoid accidents - both on the road and in your wallet.

To find a car that suits your budget, be like Magellan. Explore your world and keep an eye for great deals. The nearest car dealer may be convenient for you but there’s no guarantee you’ll get a good price. The more you look around, the greater your chances of finding the right vehicle.

It may be cheaper but buying from strangers can be risky. The car you just bought may be stolen or it may have a lot of dark secrets that can make driving a nightmare.

Buying from a friend or neighbor, on the other hand, can be a blessing - if you know that person well. But don’t look for after sales service here. To top it off, there’s no guarantee that your sweet little aunt who gives you cookies regularly won’t sell you a lemon.

Franchised dealers generally have models that are as good as new but they usually charge more. Car supermarkets, on the other hand, are cheaper but their selection is often confined to three-year-old models. Visit independent dealers where you can haggle for a good price. Buying from auctions can be worth your while if you’re a smart consumer.

When is the best time to buy? You can see a car in all its glory when the weather is sunny. The right light will easily reveal scratches, bumps, dents and other imperfections that you can use when haggling. Avoid canvassing during dark, rainy days or in winter. Poor light can play strange tricks on your eyes and it can lead to a bad purchase.

Some people get carried away by the salesperson or as soon as they step into the car for a test drive. A smooth ride is fine but be sure to check the paperwork afterwards. This will reveal the previous owner(s) of the car.

Give them a call if possible to help you piece together the car’s history. It would be a tragic mistake to get a vehicle that was previously owned by a Hollywood stuntman no matter how good the car looks. Check if the engine and chassis numbers match those on the paper. When in doubt, do business elsewhere. (Next: How to examine a used car.)

Looking for a good ride without spending much? Get great deals on used cars even with a bad credit. Visit Used Car Lorain.

When you’re itching to buy a car, you can easily overlook several important details. Before you part with your hard-earned money, be sure you know what you’re getting. This knowledge can save you a lot of headaches and accidents if you’re looking for a used car.

What’s funny is that most people don’t take time to check out a car. Yet these are the very same persons who complain a lot if they made a bad purchase. To make the most out of your money, here are some things to consider:

Examine the car for dents and bumps. Check the tires for signs of wear and tear. Are the tires the same and the ones that originally came with the car? Does the car have a good finish or is the paint job poor in some areas?

A car with a showroom shine may look good. But don’t forget to look under the hood for engine problems. Be wary of oil spills or leaks that could mean trouble.

Check for signs of rust. If possible, get under the car to find rust hiding in doors and bumpers. If you can’t go under, let your fingers do the walking. Feel under these areas for rough edges and other signs of rust.

Check the interior for bad upholstery, spills and unusual odors. See if the locks and windows function too. Press all the buttons to see if they work. Are the headlights okay or do you need a flashlight to see well?

Are the seats comfortable or are they loose and noisy? Do they come with good seatbelts? Don’t forget to examine the air-conditioning too.

During the test drive, take note of any strange noises. Do the doors or windows remind you of the horror movie you just saw whenever you open or close them? Do they close smoothly? If the car sounds like a tank, look elsewhere.

Are the brakes working properly? Good, strong brakes can spell the difference between life and death on the road. Be sure to check the clutch as well.

The above list is not complete but it’s a good place to begin when you’re thinking of getting a used car. Moreover, it will help you haggle and get a good price.

If you want a good ride without spending much, get great deals on used at Used Cars Lorain.

When you’re itching to buy a car, you can easily overlook several important details. Before you part with your hard-earned money, be sure you know what you’re getting. This knowledge can save you a lot of headaches and accidents if you’re looking for a used car.

What’s funny is that most people don’t take time to check out a car. Yet these are the very same persons who complain a lot if they made a bad purchase. To make the most out of your money, here are some things to consider:

Examine the car for dents and bumps. Check the tires for signs of wear and tear. Are the tires the same and the ones that originally came with the car? Does the car have a good finish or is the paint job poor in some areas?

A car with a showroom shine may look good. But don’t forget to look under the hood for engine problems. Be wary of oil spills or leaks that could mean trouble.

Check for signs of rust. If possible, get under the car to find rust hiding in doors and bumpers. If you can’t go under, let your fingers do the walking. Feel under these areas for rough edges and other signs of rust.

Check the interior for bad upholstery, spills and unusual odors. See if the locks and windows function too. Press all the buttons to see if they work. Are the headlights okay or do you need a flashlight to see well?

Are the seats comfortable or are they loose and noisy? Do they come with good seatbelts? Don’t forget to examine the air-conditioning too.

During the test drive, take note of any strange noises. Do the doors or windows remind you of the horror movie you just saw whenever you open or close them? Do they close smoothly? If the car sounds like a tank, look elsewhere.

Are the brakes working properly? Good, strong brakes can spell the difference between life and death on the road. Be sure to check the clutch as well.

The above list is not complete but it’s a good place to begin when you’re thinking of getting a used car. Moreover, it will help you haggle and get a good price.

If you want a good ride without spending much, get great deals on used at Used Cars Lorain.

Let’s face it. When it comes to gas-saving tips, everyone’s an expert. Many people have their own ideas on how to save gas. Unfortunately, the list doesn’t add up all the time. Some work while others don’t.

To separate fact from fiction, read this article and discover easy ways to hit the road without burning your wallet.

Drive like a geek, not a freak. It’s true. Driving like crazy may be your ticket to a job as a stuntman in the next James Bond movie. But when it comes to gas consumption, fast cars make you a loser.

Sure you can easily reach the finish line but in the race of life you’ll waste a lot of gas. Test conducted by Edmunds.Com in a remote California desert showed that you can save up to 31 percent in fuel costs if you drive moderately.

My advice: don’t follow James Bond. He’s wasting the producer’s money. Moderate driving is the key to huge savings.

“Don’t mash the gas when you start up. Take the long view of the road and brake easy. This tip alone can save you unbelievable amounts of gas. If you slowed your 0-to-60-mph acceleration time down from your current 10 seconds to a more normal city pace of 15 seconds, you’ll feel the savings immediately,” said Philip Read and Mike Hudson of Edmunds.Com.

Practice Cruise control. No, I’m not telling you to limit your movies choices to the films of Tom Cruise. But use cruise control in your vehicle and you’ll save another 14 percent in your fuel bills. How does this compute? The people at Edmunds.Com have this to say:

“Using cruise control is a bit of gas-saving advice frequently on tips lists. We have always agreed with this tip in theory but we hadn’t expected such significant results. First, it smoothes out the driver’s accelerator input by preventing nervous ’surging.’ Second, it makes the driver take the long view of the road rather than reacting to every change in the traffic around them.”

Check your tires. Gotcha! While this is frequently mentioned as a gas-saving tip, the truth is how much air your tires have has no bearing whatsoever on fuel consumption. While good tire pressure can extend the life of your tires by preventing premature wear, you won’t save gas this way.

You’ve probably heard that an idle mind is the devil’s playground. In a way, excessive idling is no different. It wastes 19 percent of gas.

If you’re waiting for someone who’ll be gone for just a minute, it’s okay to keep the motor running. But longer than that, shut it off. You can reduce your gas bills that way.

Looking for a good ride without spending much? Get great deals on used cars even with a bad credit. Visit Used Cars Loraine.