Buying a car for yourself or as a gift for someone involves a lot more than opening up your checkbook. You'll need to do some research before you jump in the driver's seat. According to Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage, "To help you select the best gift for yourself or that special someone, there are a few things to consider before turning into the dealer lot."

People who live thousands of miles from the areas hit by hurricanes this summer may think they have little to be concerned about. But those in the market for a used car should take steps to protect themselves from purchasing a flood-damaged vehicle. Even if you are not in an area directly affected by a hurricane or flooding, cars are often repaired and shipped across the country in a matter of weeks, putting consumers at risk for buying damaged vehicles. While it's too early to know exact numbers, some experts estimate 500,000 cars were damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There are steps consumers can take to protect themselves from unknowingly buying a car damaged by a hurricane.

Valuing a used car is both objective (year, make, and model) and subjective (appearance and condition). Normally, this would not be an issue if all cars were identical. Unfortunately, used cars are all very unique. While two cars may be identical in age, outward appearance, and options, their values may be very far apart on the secondary market. This requires nearly all used cars to be valued individually to establish pricing. There are three different established price levels when discussing used vehicles.

"Preparing" a used car for sale is the process of getting it ready to be placed on the market and sold. Similar to the way you would prepare your car for a road trip (check the fluids, tire pressures, and wash the windows), there is a proper way to prepare your used car to be sold.

One of the easiest ways to rid yourself of your old car is through a process known as "trading-in" your vehicle. In simple terms, this means using your car as collateral towards the lease or purchase of another vehicle. The money does not always have to be applied towards another vehicle-a used car can also be "sold" to a dealer for cash, in much the same process. This overview of the trade-in process includes information on how to establish "trade-in values," how to maximize the trade-in value, when to negotiate a trade-in, and it offers several good reasons to justify trading-in a used car.

After you have inspected the used car both inside and out (How to Inspect a Used Car), it is time to do a road test, or test drive. Again, it is wise to bring a friend or co-worker (the "observer"), as two sets of eyes are very helpful for many of these observations. The goal of the road test is to observe anything that seems out of the ordinary. Strange sounds, vibrations, or smells typically mean something is mechanically wrong. Trust your instinct and have the car checked out by a certified automobile technician (The Pre-Purchase Inspection).

Excited buyers caught up in the purchase often miss mechanical, cosmetic, and safety issues during visual inspections and test drives. If the vehicle being purchased is located in another city, the distance only compounds the problems. To get an unbiased mechanical review of the vehicle, many buyers choose to have a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) done before the sale.

Fifty years ago, selling a used car meant placing a small advertisement in a local newspaper. Since newspaper advertisements were sold by the line (and they continue to be today), the ads were highly abbreviated. A small grainy photograph could be added to the advertisement at an additional cost.

You have been looking for a nice used car for weeks. After taking several for road testing (see How to Road Test a Used Vehicle), you have narrowed your search down to two different vehicles. Both are the same make and model. The differences seem minor. There is a scratch or two on one car, a small oil leak on the other. One appears to have a worn front tire... is that unusual?

Many consumers find financing a used car difficult. Their problems are only compounded when the used car is more than five years old, or a unique make or model. Compared to "new car" financing, "used car" financing may as well be a completely different ballgame. Car values are different, interest rates are higher, and down payments increase with vehicle age.