Video:How to Find a Quality Used 4x4 Vehicle Online

Transcript:How to Find a Quality Used 4x4 Vehicle Online

Hi I'm Nick Jaynes for about.com and this is how to find a quality used 4x4 vehicle.

Buying a used car isn't always easy and can become quite a nerve-wracking experience, especially when considering the purchase of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. But when you're in the market, here are some tools to help you find exactly what you're looking for.

Using Craigslist to Find a Used Car

The best place to find good used AWD vehicle is on the Internet. No one really lists his or her vehicle for sale in the paper anymore since there are so many cheap or free listing sites on the web. I personally like Craigslist. It's intentionally not as flashy as many other sites. But what it lacks in looks, it easily makes up for in ease of use and sheer volume of ads. With Craigslist, you can choose to search either Owner or Dealer listing or both. Personally, I like to search private party owner listings exclusively and for good reason. 

Beware of Vehicles from Used Car Dealers and Auctions

Used car dealers get the majority of their vehicles from auctions. Vehicles usually only go to auctions because someone wants to get rid of it in a hurry. They may want to unload the vehicle for many reasons but more often than not, it's because there is something wrong with the vehicle that they simply don't want to deal with. When used car dealers buy these cars at auction, most of the time, they simply polish them and put them up for sale at a premium. Rarely do they address the repairs the vehicle might need. These vehicles can become a nightmare for the new owner. Just because the car is clean doesn't mean it's mechanically sound.

With private party sales, you can meet the current owner, discuss vehicle history with them, see repair history paperwork, and get an idea of the condition they've kept it in day in and day out. This speaks volumes to the longevity of the life of the vehicle.

Using Auto Trader and Ebay to Buy a Used Car

For those of you who are looking for another venue with which to find a car, there is also AutoTrader. AutoTrader used to be a printed resource for car buyers. Recently, however, they've moved to strictly an online resource. With AutoTrader, you can search a wide inventory of used vehicles in your area and beyond.

If you're up for a real adventure you can also search Ebay. Ebay motors has thousands of listings and sometimes you can find some really rare cars for really great prices. But with Ebay, you sacrifice being able to see and drive the car before you've committed to buy it.

As you can see, there are many different places to find just the right AWD vehicle for you. And of course, if you have a good idea of what exactly you'll need from a vehicle, the easier your purchasing decision will be. Always remember when buying a used vehicle of any kind to have it checked out by a mechanic ahead of time. When it comes to mechanical condition, never rely on the seller's word. Sacrificing an hour and a hundred dollars for a pre-purchase inspection can save you thousands down the road.

Thanks for watching. If you'd like to learn more, please find us on the web at about.com.