There are many unscrupulous dealers and individuals out there trying to sell you a piece of junk for a high price by trying to portray it as a reliable used car. If you're living on a limited budget, you can't afford to buy anything but a reliable used car. The key to getting a reliable used car on a limited budget is to do your homework and be prepared when you go shopping for a used car.

The first step of preparation before purchasing a used car is to set a maximum price you are willing to pay for a car. You must stick to this maximum price or your homework will have been wasted and you will not be fitting a used car into your limited budget. Dealers will always try to upgrade you to the next price up. "If you like this car, we have another one with a lot more features for only $300 more." They won't stop trying to add a few dollars onto your purchase until you stop accepting. At some point the car that fits into your budget has to have enough good features, or you need to look elsewhere for your reliable used car.

Another step you can take before going to a dealer is to learn all that you can about used cars on the market and their reliability ratings. Find out what options came on the types of cars you're considering and what problems they're prone to having. Know what kind of gas mileage you want to get and what kind of gas mileage your prospective cars can deliver. Knowing what kind of cars you want ahead of time and how reliable they are as used cars will help you make good price estimates at the dealership. Looking up blue book values doesn't hurt either, but remember that the top blue book prices are usually for perfect condition cars that have barely been driven.

When you go to the car dealer, go determined not to make any decisions to buy on the spot. A good salesperson does everything in his or her power to make a sale on the spot because statistics show that most people who leave the lot without purchasing will not return. However, a good customer will never buy into all of the reasons why they have to make this purchase right now. Just gather all of the information you can about the cars of interest to you, including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and tell them you'll think it over tonight. Don't forget to ask if they mind if you bring your mechanic in to look the car over and give it a test drive. If the salesperson tells you that they can give you a special deal on the car, but only if you buy it right now, the correct answer is always "Bye."

When you get home, you can begin the most vital piece of your search for reliable cheap used cars. You need to go online and get a car history for each car you have an interest in buying. Avoid cars that have been involved in accidents or that haven't had their past licensing paid up to date. Also make sure there are not any liens placed on the car.

Finally, when you have a reliable used car picked out that hums pretty for your mechanic and has a clean history, it is time to get the deal closed. Make sure you read thoroughly the dealer's return policies and warranties. Watch out for the words "as is", which release the dealer from any liability if the car doesn't function properly, even if the dealer makes promises that it runs perfectly. Any promises the dealer makes about the car that you consider to be a crucial reason you're buying the car should be obtained in writing before you sign anything.