Mihai Moscovici

There are really several steps to find a good used car for a cheap price.
Be ready to search a lot through web-sites, news-papers, news-boards, etc. Other good method is the-word-of-mouth. Keep asking everybody if they know, or may be have a good car for sale. It takes just 30 seconds of your conversation.
It takes time, because you want the best car for the money you have.
First, internet is a great tool. There are several sites that can help you: www.autotrader.com (register and search used-cars in the area you live), www.cars.com (a compilation of news-paper ads, just write your zip-code and you have a huge list of used-cars), www.carsoup.com (register and search, works for some areas only). Sure there are more web-sites, but these are the most effective.
Second, news-paper ads. Be the first who read the newspaper in the morning and be ready to call those who are selling the car you like. You have to be really the first to come and see the car, otherwise somebody else will buy it before you.
Third, try to check the cars’ prices on www.kbb.com. Just introduce the parameters for the car and seller, and you will have the real estimation of the car. Pay attention to specify the right condition of the car: excellent, good, fair, bad.
Fourth, you need luck to find the best used car for your money.

Tips
1. Try to buy used cars from private sellers. It’s cheaper and cars are nicer.
2. If you don’t know much about cars, take somebody with you that knows about cars.
3. Try to check car history on www.carfax.com. Introduce car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and you will see the whole life of that car. *The VIN can be found on dashboards, driver’s side door jamb stickers, and title documents.*

Good luck!