Buying a used car is just buying someone else's problems -- right? Actually -- wrong! In fact, not only is this old adage outdated, but buying a used car, or the politically correct, "pre-owned" car, can be your smartest choice. Not only do you save a bundle (we estimate over 50 percent in ownership costs), but there are lots of choices, decent warranties and you won't get that terrible pit in your stomach with the first ding or dent!

For most of us, the decision to buy a used car is a financial one. New cars have risen to a sticker-shocking $22,000 average. The same car, just a year or two old, can easily knock 20-40 percent off that figure and because styles change so little, nobody will be the wiser. On top of that, it's not hard to find one still under the new car warranty. And, if you buy a late model, you won't even have to sacrifice important features like airbags, ABS brakes, and good gas mileage!

There's more good news: because the previous owner has absorbed the huge depreciation cost, pre-owned cars are cheaper to maintain. Per mile, the average used car will cost 34 cents, whereas its younger sibling goes up to 50 cents per mile. And here's an important bonus; pre-owned cars are generally cheaper to insure. Finally, there's the environmental factor -- buying recycled is good for the earth.

A key reason why buying used is smart is because the quality, performance and reliability of cars has improved dramatically over the past decade. The other factor is that the leasing craze is dumping millions of good vehicles into the market, so your choices are multiplying. Given that the average car is about eight years old, buying a two-year-old car can easily mean another six years of service.

To take advantage of this buyer's market, the only thing you need is information. That's what we'll provide you here. Information on finding the peaches, avoiding the lemons, getting the right price, making the safest choice for your family, and protecting your pocketbook after you buy.

We'll tell you how pre-owned cars are priced, what to look for and look out for, provide the latest safety and reliability information, show you where to find the best values and how to check them out. In short, we'll tell you what you need to know to come out a winner. But buying the car is only half the battle, and we won't leave you stranded. We'll provide the latest on the airbag controversies, proper use of child seats, and where to find good repairs. We'll get you going and keep you going.

For the past twenty years, I've been working for safer, better performing cars, studying the marketplace, and helping consumers make smart, safe and sensible vehicle choices. During the weeks and months to come, I look forward to helping you make one of your most difficult purchase decisions one of your best. Check us out, you'll find lots of good information here, and stay tuned -- there's much more to come!