Tightening our belts and being smart with our money is the only way to get through this national financial crisis. But, if your transportation is unreliable and you are spending more to keep it running than it’s worth, another car might be in your future.

In this slow economy, there are many deals and sales on new cars, and if your budget allows then that’s one direction to research. But, there are thousands of excellent used cars out there that offer an alternative to that huge depreciation hit one takes on a new car.

Choosing a used car isn’t always a matter of finding the make and model you want, it’s often a matter of winnowing the wheat and chaff and finding the best bargain for your dollars.

Use your senses when considering a used car. Walk around and check for ripples in the fender, trunk lid and hood. Check for nicks, pain chipping, and rust spots. Don’t ignore door dings, if you see chipped paint and bare metal. Poorly repaired body damage may signal other issues, such as a bent chassis or frame. Brightly colored cars that have faded, but have no obvious damage may give you negotiation room with the dealership. Kicking the tires doesn’t really tell you very much, but take a good look at them. Uneven wear, nicks, obvious sidewall repairs, and thin tread are all signs of problems with the age of the tires, the alignment of the car, and length of time you’ll before have to replace them.

Before you test drive the car, use your nose. If you detect a musty or sour odor, you may be looking at a car that leaks or has leaked and there’s water damage or mold in the carpet or seats. Run your hands over the gaskets and fitting around the doors, windows and sunroof. Dented, cracked and flimsy gaskets signal possible leaks and problems down the road. If the car smells strongly of air freshener or cleaners, then check for carpet and fabric dampness with your hands.

During the test drive, listen for wind noise around the windows. Roll down a window and listen for unusual tire or engine noise.

Don’t forget to try all the doors, making certain they shut securely and lock easily. Use all the windows, open the glove compartment, console, and trunk. Be certain all the lights, power plugs and mirror are operational.

What happens if the above tests bring problems to light? Well, if there are multiple problems that create doubt about the car, then walk away from that car. If there are multiple problems, and the seller doesn’t acknowledge or tries to cover them up, then walk away from that seller. If the problems are minor, then use them to negotiate a better deal!

Don’t buy a used car you aren’t happy with and don’t get happy with a used car you are concerned about.

Everyone wants their car to look nice and reflect them. Everyone wants be proud of their ride. However, being sensible recognizing that reliability is key. If your gorgeous car sits in the shop, and you ride the bus, then you are wasting your resources.

Happy shopping!