Reliability Agood way to estimate the operating costs of a vehicle can be found in the annual Consumer Reports Guide to Used Cars.
Consumer Reports can be particularly helpful in pointing out repair problems and trouble spots.
Price and Cost of Operation To help you investigate and compare prices, several publications are available which give approximate dealer and consumer prices for many models. Try your local library or bookstore for a copy of these publications. Also, check your local newspaper's ads for an overview of current used car prices in your area. Comparing prices of similar makes and models can give you an idea of which seller offers the best deals. It is also important to consider other costs of operating the car, such as the vehicle's gas mileage and the cost of insurance.