By Kyle Busch

What enables people to be on time for a scheduled appointment, attend a favourite social event or recreational activity, or just drive on a pleasant summer day? What machine do many people get to know as if it were almost a member of the family? What enables drivers to experience greater freedom? Of course, what else but the automobile. Or in today's terms, the automobile, sport-utility vehicle, or minivan.

More and more people are realising that the cost of new transportation can really throw a budget into reverse. In many instances, today's new vehicle prices compare to the cost of a new home just a generation ago.

Since dependable transportation is a necessity, a two to four-year old used vehicle can be purchased at a savings of 25 to 50 per cent as compared to its cost when new. Additionally, the number of well-built, dependable vehicles has increased during the past decade.

When well-maintained, these vehicles can be driven for many miles, and they are now available at substantial savings.

The purchase of a dependable, reasonably-priced used vehicle is not a matter of chance or luck, but rather, it is a matter of knowledge and understanding. Becoming informed is one of the most important factors in successfully purchasing a dependable used vehicle at the best price.

To better determine the vehicle that satisfies your transportation needs, first take the time to carefully identify your current and future driving needs, then become aware of the many available vehicles, and finally, zero in on the vehicles that best meet your needs.

A vary dangerous frame of mind to be in is to "fall head over heels" for a particular make or model of vehicle based purely on emotion. Although some emotion is always part of life, it is wise to put excessive emotions aside and focus on day- in and day-out transportation needs.

If you don't really know which vehicles meet your transportation needs, consider visiting a local public library to consult the yearly publication or the April magazine issue of 'Consumer Reports'. This objective information source provides technical specifications for vehicles including the size, weight, engine horsepower, optional equipment, and miles per gallon of fuel. If technical information is desired for a specific used vehicle, review the 'Consumer Reports' issue that matches the vehicle's year.

Web discussion groups are also a good source of "from-the-street" information for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of specific vehicles.

It is a good idea to identify at least two or three used vehicles that meet your transportation needs. Then, instead of being in a position to only consider vehicle A, you will have the flexibility to consider vehicle A, B, or C. This increases your ability to purchase a used vehicle that is in excellent condition at the best price.

In addition to becoming informed about particular vehicles, it is worthwhile to learn the approximate prices for vehicles of interest.

There are a number of possible used vehicle sources from which to choose. Rather than becoming overwhelmed with all the possible sources, keep in mind that each source is actually competing with the others. Therefore, when shopping for a vehicle, be certain to let each source know that you are also considering the other sources.

Contacting a used vehicle source by telephone and obtaining specific information can help to reduce unnecessary legwork. The telephone inquiry will enable you to determine if a vehicle is worth your time to investigate.

The interior and exterior inspections and the vehicle test-drive are used to verify the information obtained during the telephone inquiry.

Note: Kyle Busch is the author of 'Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money'



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