[dadro]

Overall this is a helpful list. One of the biggest challenges with used cars is they are impossible to treat as a commodity. I spent several years working for a company that financed high-end classic and exotic autos. I learned a ton. One of the biggest tips is you really need to profile the owner if you want to get car that was well maintained.

I like luxury cars (BMW's, Lexus, etc) and over time came up with a system for purchasing used ones. Search CL and local want-ads in affluent suburbs. Eventually you will find 1 owner cars with low miles owned by people with the means to take proper care of them. Ask for the maintenance records, look at the condition of the interior and also look for clues on how the person takes care of other things like their personal appearance AND their home. It will tell you everything. I've gotten some killer deals on pristine cars following this method. Currently on the hunt for a late 70's air cooled 911 :)