Buying a car can be a smart idea - a car loses the lion's share of its value when it is driven off the new car lot, so why let someone else take that loss? But buyer beware: A used car is likely to need more repairs and may come with a short warranty or none at all. In addition, used cars may lack the latest safety features. That is why it is so important for consumers to do extensive research so they can avoid all of the potential pitfalls of buying a used car. The auto experts at "Consumer Reports" have done the work for you and have compiled their extensive research and report their findings into the 2007 edition of USED CAR BUYING GUIDE. This fabulous tool will help steer any consumer who is in the market for a used car towards the better-performing and more reliable used car models and away from those models with a troubled past or substandard performance. Before consumers set foot on a used car lot, they should read all the valuable information provided in this book so they can be armed with as much information as possible and the knowledge to make an educated choice. "Consumer Reports" knows cars and offers the most detailed and revealing used car reliability information available anywhere including: - Unbiased reviews of every major model from 1999 - 2006- Lists of the best and worst used vehicles and how to avoid a lemon - A checklist of what to look for when inspecting a used car- Best used cars for gas mileage- Tips on negotiating the best priceReliability, recalls and crash test information- Making sense of safety information -How to get the most money when trading in your current car The majority of this book is devoted to the profiles of 264 cars, minivans, SUVs and trucks, presenting all major 1999-2006 models. Each profile contains a photo from the representative year, a write-up of the vehicle, reliability history, crash-test data, and the model years when key safety gear was added and when a major redesign was made.