tips on buying used cars

[sundog]

New to this forum.

I am considering to buy a used car. I don't know much about cars. All I know that Japanese used cars are way more expensive than US cars. I would consider US cars if they can give me decent GAS milage as well as decent reliability.

I would consider cars from 1998 to 2002, and milage under 100,000KM. One friend told me Malibu is not bad. Any opinion/advice here?

Thanks in advance!

[nopn]

have a Carfax before buying a used car ?

but dont know how ???

[sundog]

Honestly, I didn't know Carfax until you told me here. :(

Thanks.

For the car models, especially US ones, any opinion? I prefer 4 doors, but 2 doors is OK too.

[climacus]

You need to bring a friend who knows a lot about cars and is familiar with all the usual sales tactic you encounter during the price negotiation and closing process, otherwise you'll get burned, both money-wise and car-wise.

Buying an used car is not rocket science, but if you walk into a dealership and announce that you don't know much about cars, you'll get rip off many times over.

[BEpsilon]

have a Carfax before buying a used car ?

but dont know how ???

Actually, could someone please tell me how Carfax works?

I'm planning to sell my car (well, a minivan - 95 Quest with less than 90K) but not sure what to do... Thanks.