Customer Reviews

Consumer Reports: Used Car Buying Guide Best & Worst Used Cars

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4 star:		(1)
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Buying a used car? Read the "Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide" first.

Rather than depend on the advice of semi-knowledgeable friends, a mechanic biased toward a car maker and not a specific vehicle, or by looking to see what your neighbor drives, you can depend on this.

I bought my last two cars using earlier guides.

In it, I found lists of "Good Bets," which are cars the authors consider to perform well over the years. That is guiding my purchase. I won't buy a car not listed there. I also found lists dividing reliable cars by price range, which cars have had recalls, unreliable models (by year), and detailed descriptions of the pros and cons of each vehicle.

That's not all. There are also articles on safety, buying strategies, batteries, insurance, towing, depreciation, tires and child car seats.

It is not a complicated book. It is straight to the point, with minimal car jargon. Novices like myself are not overwhelmed by information I am not concerned with.

I am interested in safety, performance, cost of repair and related information. I found all of this here. A Corolla from 2003 is not the same as one from 2002. While this is obvious, this guide helps is know why each is worth what they say.

I fully recommend "Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide." I am confident that because I have read it and will refer to it while I shop for an auto online, I am prepared to save money and to buy a better vehicle. You still need to test drive the vehicle, but this will help get you to that test.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

This book is such a great resource for buying a used car. Especially the real world MPG and reliability ratings. I'll never start research to buy another car without it.

I have always used this book when purchasing new and used cars, gives the buyer an edge both for quality and price. It is now in a different format and I believe doesn't include as much information as when published in book form, rather than this extended magazine format. But, in this day when we must watch every penny, it is a must.

I thought I was getting the 2010 year edition. Instead, I got the 2007.
They should have said it was an older edition.

I rarely take the time to review something. But for anyone out there who might be waffling I would STRONGLY encourage you to purchase this. Consumer Reports has spent YEARS studying and researching cars. Find out what used cars are best. I always spend a significant amount of time studying Consumer Reports before I ever walk out of the door.

You'll be surprised what you learn. Cars you thought were top-notch may have years where they had serious problems. The insights you learn will save you thousands of dollars and tons of frustration. It will be the BEST 10 bucks you ever spend!

I'm tempted to write down my address because I know you'll want to send me a gift for recommending this!

If you plan to buy a used vehicle, this is the book you need to help guide you through the process.

This book or its current version should be your guide when shopping for a used vehicle. With vehicle reliability ratings and values in toe, your shopping for a vehicle should almost a slam-dunk.

I have collected these Consumer Reports Buying Guides for twenty years now. I have older issues going back to the late 1960s. I would never buy a car or truck, new or used, without consulting my CRBGs. They are indispensible.

The Kelly Blue Book would go nicely with this book. Consumer Reports has always been a no nonsense magazine. Coupled with current pricing from the KBB, you should have no problem deciding what you want in transportation.