Few people want to get screwed that deep. Most people want to deal with the mechanic they've use the last 10 years or so.

How do you get a good deal on a used car? I use a professional buyer - there are quite a few around here. Dealerships take trade-ins - they need to unload them so they take them to the auto auctions.

You tell the buyer what you want. It may take a few weeks, but the buyer haunts the auctions for a living - and knows how to leverage the dealer's need to unload the vehicle. He has a network of mechanics to inspect vehicles and do any needed work.

My buyer's attitude, "I buy new cars - they just have miles on them".

I can get a "like new" for $5 to $9 thousand. Even if the engine blew up in a month and had to be replaced I'd still be way ahead.