FOUR years ago, some 41 million used cars were sold compared with 17 million new cars, according to Edmunds.com. The main reason so many more used cars are being sold? The price tag.

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Finding the right used car dealerships can be a daunting task for the most experienced car buyer. The average person can use guidance in purchasing the right used car. They can also benefit from information about the local used car dealerships. The Internet can be a useful resource for the advice in regards to the used car dealerships. It can also assist an experienced buyer in finding a great deal.

In 2000, the average price of a used car was about $12,500, while the average price of a new car was around $25,600. Even with the chance of increased repairs and maintenance costs on a used car, you could spend less per year than on new car payments.

Another reason so many people are buying used cars is the rapid depreciation of new ones. A used vehicle loses less value than a new car when it's driven off the dealer lot. In the first year of a new car's life, it loses 20% to 30% of its value. A car's first owner takes the largest depreciation hit.

There are several good reasons to consider buying a used car, including ample selection and the improving reliability of older cars. But the main attraction for used-car buyers is still afford ability.

One of the common concerns I hear from people about used cars is that they will require expensive repairs sooner than new cars. There is no question that repair bills can be outrageously expensive but here's one way to look at it. If a new car costs you $15,000 (or more) and a five year old version of the same car costs $5,000, the difference in price leaves you a lot of room to make repairs and still come out on top. That's not even factoring the additional costs involved in insuring and financing the more expensive vehicle.

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