Anytime you go looking for a new used vehicle, you'd better get there first, before the dealers do (and yes, they'll be up at 4am searching through the local papers for them) This has all likely changed a bit since my last purchase, but you'll just need to get ahead of the game, where the internet is concerned) I'd look at the local paper for days or weeks, every day, early! Until i knew every ad in my price range and desired vehicle. Then once I got that down, I'd get out early to the newly listed ones, and hope to get a decent vehicle. If you're not there first, if a dealer's already looked and passed, you probly don't want it anyway. Then you've got to know what to look for. One or two of my first tests are to get underneath it to check for leaks and loose ujoints etc. (if the seller is more intent on telling you where to look, or too busy trying to "show" you the car, let it go), also look for recent repairs ( freshly scarred bolts, big magic marker labels from a wrecking yard parts place etc.) broken tailpipes, then stick a finger deep into the exhaust and rub it around, if it's too sutty walk away. These are simple tests, then you got to check under the hood, start it, listen close, drive it at least several miles, then decide. (if the seller thwarts any of these simple checks, leave it )
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