Dont expect it to be like a new car. You are inheriting someone else’s problems. If it were perfect they would not have sold it.

First off: HAS IT EVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.

How old it is, TRANSMISSION, you do NOT want to have transmission problems. You’ll easily spend a good $700 on a new one. Check the spark plugs, make sure it doesn’t have an outrageous amount of miles in it, that the spedometer hasn’t been tinkered with, (not like you can tell by just looking at it, but ask someone you trust.) and definitely just…everything on the inside of the car. If it’s in good condition internally, you’ve got nothing much else to worry about.

Unless you want a nice “looking” car…but you don’t want a nice looking car to then have the entire inner body fail on you and then have to go to a repair shop and spend more fixing it than you did buying it.

P.S. Stick’s are harder to learn to drive…I’d start with an automatic.

An automatic is safer if you are not skilled and just learning.

Trying to figure out how to shift a manual AND figure out how to drive without getting killed is too much to ask of a beginner.

If you’re buying for the first time, there are many, many things you need to learn and know before you jump in. Following are some web sites that will help you:

The best advice would be to take the car to a reputable auto repair shop to have them check out the car BEFORE you buy it.
Pay them $100 or so to do a real good inspection of the vehicle. That way you won’t be surprised by any problems if you do buy the car.
If the seller won’t let you do this, then move along. He obviously has something to hide.

Good luck in your search!

here’s a web site you need to look over real good they have all the information you,ll need to know about buying a car,good luck with it,

Get a carfax on the car you pick out look for low miles no body damage and take it to a mechanic you know and trust to lift it up and check under the car and everything else. Then whether or not if you are paying cash take the car to a bank ask them what it is worth. Don’t use Kelly Blue Book because it is not as accurate as others. Use good judgment don’t just buy a car based on looks make sure it is what you really want before you commit. If the dealer has a problem doing any of these then he is more often than not hiding something.

well if you are buying an automatic they are more expensive than manual. If you know how to drive manual than you are good to go, the only thing about manual is that you don’t know when a new clutch was put in, and usually a new clutch runs around 500-1000 dollars and you usually put a new one every 3-5 years depending on how much you use it and wear it out. Since you are buying a used car, no mattering if it is from a dealership i would take a mechanic that you trust with you that way they can tell you if its a good car. Check the transmission, shocks, breaks, ac, fans, everything. When you are test driving the car make quick stops to see if the car locks up after wards, if it does then there is something wrong in the shocks or transmission. Ask the mechanic if he can tell when the last tune up was done on the car because then you are going to get all that done and it usually runs at about $300.00 be smart. used cars usually don’t have warranties so you really cant go back and say hey, that’s why they are sold as is. here is one hint, buy a car from an older person, they usually have cars in better conditions and have less millage on their cars.

Automatics are easier to drive but it is up to you, there is nothing wrong with a manual car as long as you know how to drive it. First off, make sure that the car is not stolen and I would suggest taking someone with you that knows something about cars to look under the hood for you and make sure there seems to be no issues.

wow there are soooooo many things to look for where do I start? lol as a connoisseur of used cars…I can share a few things with you.
One of the best things you can do is take the car to a mechanic and have them give it the once over…you will probably have to pay for it unless you know one personally.
Other things to look for are:
1. when you drive the care does it pull to the left or right when you take your hands off the steering wheel for a few seconds?
if it does it probably needs either an alignment or has a bad wheel.
2. does it smoke when you start it..it shouldn’t
3. when you drive it does it seem sluggish? it shouldn’t.
4.drive the car to a lot that has clean concret on it and look under the car to see if there is anything leaking on the ground, should not leak oil (dark oil is a sign of not changing the oil like they should)or transmission fluid (red tint in color) not good…… if you run the air conditioner it will drip… thats condensation it’s ok
5. look for any warning lights on and question them about them, could be something serious.
6. be sure the radiator is not getting over heated when you drive it
7. when you drive it be sure the shift from one gear to another is smooth and not jumpy if it is it might be a bad transmission
well there are so many things to look at when buying a used car… some are very good cars and some are not…just realise that when you purchase a used car that without a gurentee for repair that you will eventually have to replace parts sooner than later.
it really is up to you as to which kind you like as far as automatic or standard…. standards drive easier in the snow and ice if you have 4 wheel drive or front wheel drive well good luck!

If you dont know how to drive a manual than yes autos are safer. If its your first car get an automatic. Also take the car to a mechanic so he can look it over and let you know if there are any issues. Also get a carfax on it.