2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer

2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4-Door SUV
Internet Price: $7,495

Eight-Cylinder Explorer with Eddie Bauer Package. Leather/Power Seats. Custom Deck! Comfortable Mid-Size SUV! All-Credit Approved. Easy Financing!!!

Take a test drive

With all of the online sources available for your basic research, we believe the importance of the test drive has been marginalized. Virtually nothing is more important in your decision process than how you feel behind the wheel. And so many variables come into play -- seat height, wheel adjustment, steering feel, throttle tip-in, outward visibility, control layout, etc. -- that you simply must spend a reasonable amount of time driving the car. And that time should be more than five minutes on someone's idea of a stop-and-go test route. Take at least half an hour, while trying stop-and-go, freeway merging and freeway speeds. And if your sales rep -- you know, the normal guy trying to make a living -- doesn't have the 30 minutes, find a time when he or she does, or take the time to find another dealership.

Establish a realistic budget

This figure is generally based on what you can afford per month. The ideal is to pay cash, but in most instances when considering a new (or just newer) car, the nature of the transaction price often requires the leverage of financing. So, look at your cost of living in all the more important areas, like shelter, food, health insurance and Happy Hour. Once those are calculated, the remainder could be spent on a car payment, fuel, car insurance and -- for cars without a warranty -- mechanical maintenance.

Choose a good car insurer

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, disaster inevitably strikes — typically in the form of an accident. Make sure that your car will be repaired to the best possible standard by finding an insurer that will pay for parts from the original manufacturer and guarantee the repairs it authorizes.

Buy gas at reputable service stations

Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. If you get a song and dance, find another gas station. Some stations don’t have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly — or worse, water down their product. Find a station you trust and stick to it.

2001 Ford Ranger Edge

2001 Ford Ranger Edge 2-Door Truck
 Internet Price: $5,995

Low Mileage Ford Ranger! Cloth Bench Seat, Custom Deck, Cold A/C. Gas Saver Economical Truck. 3.0L V6. You Will Be Financed 100%. Buy Here, Pay Here.

1995 GMC Conversion Van

1995 GMC Conversion Van 2-Door Minivan
Internet Price: $3,995

Travel Across The Country In This 1995 GMC Conversion Van. Power Locks, Windows, Mirrors. Custom Deck. Cold Air Conditioning. Captain Chairs. Power Steering. Power Brakes. Cruise Control. Vanity Lighting, Center And Wall Lighting. Come Test Drive Today! 100% Financing. You Will Be Approved! Buy Here Pay Here.