Thin Ice

What Makes a Used Car "Certified"?
Used cars were once the province of the somewhat shady lot on the corner lit with the bare electric bulbs, populated by guys in bad suits. Consumers who bought from such locations knew they were taking a risk and, for better or worse, they lived with it.But that was then. These days, used vehicles are big business, and giant, publicly traded corporations and the vehicle manufacturers themselves are playing in what has become a much larger, more competitive game. One of the many results of this intense competitive pressure is the phenomenon known as the Certified Pre-Owned vehicle or CPO car. Some have heralded the Certified Pre-Owned vehicle as a boon for the consumer. After all, such vehicles most often feature a lengthy service contract t ...

Buying a Good Used Car
If there is one thing that makes people more squeamish than getting up to speak in front of a group of people, it is buying a used car. Pass the Maalox, we all could be in for a night full of indigestion and pain. But the fact is some of today's smartest vehicle shoppers are buying used vehicles that serve them (and their bank accounts) very, very well. Many auto-buying experts agree: There has never been a better time to buy a used car.

Finding the Right Used Car
There has never been a better time to buy a used vehicle than right now. Previously owned vehicles are built better, last longer and deliver more reliable service than ever before. At the same time, many used vehicles can now be purchased with warranty and roadside assistance coverage, something that was unheard of in the day of buying a used vehicle "as is." But, while used-vehicle bargains are out there in vast numbers, choosing the right one for you is still fraught with challenges. Making a bad buy can haunt you -- and perhaps your credit -- for years. Before purchasing a used vehicle, it's essential to find out as much as you can about the vehicle's maintenance history and any mechanical problems it might have.

Buying Used
Today it's relatively easy to get a second-hand rose If you buy a used car, you're buying somebody else's troubles. That tattered bit of automotive buying advice has been making the rounds since Jack Benny bought his first Maxwell. While it might have been true in the heyday of planned obsolescence, the fact is some of today's smartest vehicle shoppers are buying used. There is no doubt that there has never been a better time to buy a used car.