Car Dealer

• Cars can be purchased from new car dealers who sell brand new cars that usually only have a few miles on them. These cars usually come with warranties; dealerships often offer financing options. The downside to buying from a new car dealer is that new cars drop in value rapidly.
  
  Used car lots sell previously owned vehicles. Some used car dealerships are more trustworthy than others. For example, used car lots that offer a warranty are more trustworthy than those that do not. It is a good idea to ask around to friends and neighbors and find out which car lots they recommend.
  
  

Online Auctions and Sales

• eBay Motors is a popular site for buying and selling cars. The cars listed on this site are from dealers and private sellers. Many cars have a reserve (or minimum) amount that will be accepted. The downside is, of course, that you may fall in love with a car that is 900 miles away. Also, it is not always possible to test drive the car you are interested in buying. eBay Motors is an ideal research tool---you can see what people are really paying for the type of car you are interested in. Regardless of how you eventually buy your car, knowing this information is a powerful bargaining tool.
  
  Craigslist is a website that has sub-sites for major cities in the United States and around the world. Your local Craigslist page is an excellent place to shop for a used car. Unlike eBay, all of the cars will be local, which means you are able to test drive a car before purchasing.
  
  Other sites such as Auto Trader and Auto and RV also list cars for sale from private sellers as well as dealers. (See Resources).
  
  

Private Seller

• The local paper always has listings of cars for sale by private owners. This can be an excellent option when shopping for a car. Private sellers will usually ask for less than a dealership and are more willing to negotiate the sale price.
  
  Sometimes people do not list the car they want to sell anywhere online or in print. They stick a sign in the window with a phone number and a price and hope for the best. While finding these cars is a matter of luck, they can result in a great buy for you if you happen to spot the right car.