Even with all the incentives, buying a used car before the internet was something a lot of shoppers found daunting. Now, with all the car shopping tools available online, the whole process from start to finish is a lot easier – and the deals you score are an added bonus.

Don’t get excited and pay too much for the car.

If a deal sounds too good to be true, it just might be. Be skeptical.

You will find a nice used car nearby. Do not choose one that is out of town. You don’t want to get stranded with a broken down piece of scrap far away.

Look for vehicles you know and understand. If you’re comfortable with American pickups, German sports car issues and quirks will be alien to you.

Get a CarFax report and compare it with the service records. It makes sense, and you will spot any issues that could cost you a lot of money.

Do not buy any car with a salvage title, unless you’re considering a frame-up rebuild. And then again, only if it is an extremely rare car.

Make sure that the title is clean. That means no liens, notarized signatures, or legal issues. Transfer the title in the seller’s state first, but check with the seller’s DMV first.

Get your trusted mechanic to inspect the car and prepare a report for you. If the seller won’t allow it, then do not buy the car at all. Any fixable issues should help bring down the price.

Inspect the car thoroughly yourself. Bring coveralls, ask for a floor jack, jack stands, or a pair of ramps so you can get a little dirty while poking around and checking everything about your prospective car.

Look for damage in the bodywork, underhood, door frames and trunk. You’ll find evidence of crash damage in these parts.

If the paint is dull, it can be buffed out. But if it’s peeling, then you’ll have to sand it down and respray it. Negotiate the price down with this point.

Ensure that the engine starts easily, runs cleanly, and doesn’t leak.

It’s okay to walk away from the deal in case the car is not exactly as described in its ad.

Unless the car is in daily driver condition, consider trailering it back to where you’ll park it.

Always bargain.