SELL MY USED CAR - SELL USED CARS FROM PRIVATE AUCTIONS - CAR OWNER CAR SELLER - FIND USED CARS ONLINE SELL STORE

Check the History
Another telltale sign of potential trouble, though certainly not the only sign, is the number of safety recalls a used model has had.

The federal government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a recall database.

This database, for example, reports that the 2000 Ford Focus had an ominous ten safety recalls, and the 2001 Focus had six.

While at the NHTSA site, peruse the Technical Service Bulletins. They detail some vehicle problems that a carmaker has sought to share with dealers.

After finding a prospective vehicle, be sure to check over its mechanicals carefully via MSN Autos' Used Car Checklist. It's a good idea to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, too.

Also check the vehicle's history to ensure it hasn't been severely wrecked in a crash or stolen. Go to the MSN Autos Used Car Research page to use Carfax or AutoCheck to view the history of a car before laying any money down.

Examples of Exceptional Used Vehicles

Economical small sedans:

1996 Honda Civic EX, $6,000
2001 Honda Civic EX, $9,500
Sporty sedans:

1996 Infiniti G20 with manual transmission, $5,500
1998 Mazda Millenia S, $8,500
Family haulers:

1996 Toyota Camry XLE with V6, $7,500
2000 Toyota Camry XLE with V6, 12,000
1996 to 2000 Honda Accord LX with V6
1997 Honda Odyssey, about $8,500
Plush cruisers:

1999 Lincoln Town Car Executive, $11,000
1996 Acura RL, $10,000
2000 Acura RL, $19,000
1996 Toyota Avalon XLS, $8,100
2000 Toyota Avalon XLS, $18,000
Fun to drive:

1999 Mazda Miata, $9,800
1996 Toyota Celica GT coupe, $8,300
SUVs:

1998 Nissan Pathfinder SE, $11,000
1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5, $13,500
1998 Subaru Forester L, $8,000
1998 Toyota RAV4 AWD, $10,000
Runabout sedans:

2000 Buick Regal, $9,000
1999 Ford Escort, $4,000
Source: Consumer Reports' 2003 Used Car Yearbook

Kelley Blue Book Best Value Holders among 2003 models
Acura MDX
BMW 3-Series
Chevrolet Corvette
Honda Civic
Infiniti G35
Jeep Wrangler
Lexus LS 430
Mercedes-Benz CLK
MINI Cooper
Toyota Tacoma