Wow...what an experience! I had not had a new car in years...Wallace, my husband was always the car hound so I usually got the left-overs, which wasn't too bad most of the time. But with the arrival of the latest members of our family I decided we needed a car with kid (hauling) capacity. I really didn't want a van. Everyone thought I was nuts. I just couldn't do the van thing. Someday - maybe, but not yet. So the quest began.

I looked and looked for weeks this summer but I didn't really find what I wanted. I really didn't know what I wanted. Since this was going to be MY car, I wanted to make sure I loved it. I looked at and drove all sorts of cars. No...really not the right kind...just plain ugly...too big...too gandma looking...small...condescending salesman...etc. I absolutely NEVER considered looking on Ebay for a car until I was surfing one night for some china. And, then it hit me. So then my quest really began. It took me a while but I was willing to invest the time and energy and I did find the perfect car...A luxury car that I never dreamed I would find, be able to afford or insure. But I did find it. And, I am thrilled. Follow my suggestions and you will be thrilled too!

Here are some simple do's and don't's:

LOOK...alot. There are tons of cars on EBAY. Some are quite nice and others not so nice. Look...alot!

Be choosey. THIS is the time to be picky. Be realistic about what you want and make a list of what you are willing to give up. Be confident in your research and then stick to what your standards are - within reason.

You don't have to settle. There are really great bargains out there. NEVER, EVER get desparate - you'll end up bidding and buying because you think "THE" car will get snapped up. If something happens and the car deal does not work out, don't worry. Another one will come by soon. TRUST ME!

Know your car. Be confident in your research. There are dishonest sellers and those who won't respect you because you are a girl, and doing this on your own. They will deceive you and lie about their car. What they don't know is that women make better deals and are generally more knowledgeable about car purchases than men.

Proceed with caution. This doesn't have to happen overnight. You can wait out the deal.

Talk to the seller before you bid. You can tell tons about someone by simply talking to and listening to them. Ask lots of questions - even if they are simple. If the seller gives answers that don't make sense to you, ask them to clarify. If they try to convince you of something that makes no sense...say goodbye. Move on. In my recent car buying journey, I had a guy tell me that a car that had been in a flood was as good as new after it had dried out. With most luxury cars, the computer sensors are under the seats. Once the computer has been damaged a car's future of good operation is questionable. Better to just say no.

There's more to the way a car looks than just the outside. GET A CARFAX. I spent $100 on CARFAXes but it was well worth it. I knew the car I was about to buy was as advertised and that it only had one owner. In a previous car buying attempt I was told the auto was a one owner car. Not true. In fact it was a lease car. In my research I found that lease cars have 25 times more trouble than do one-owner cars. Lease cars are typically not taken care of as well and often driven hard.

Ask the seller why they are selling. Find out the scoop. Maybe it's just a divorce and they really need to sell or maybe they need the extra cash. By finding this answer, you'll be able to see and asses how motivated the seller is.

Be prepared to make an offer. A motivated seller will be motivated. I recently purchased the most incredible car by just calling the seller, getting some key information, and making an offer. My financing was already arranged and I was ready to go. Be ready to make an offer.

Make sure you are legally secured with a bill of sale. You can draw this up yourself and save $$. Just Google "Auto Bill of Sale." If your seller is honest, they will NOT have a problem with throwing in the kitchen sink. My seller allowed me to include in our bill of sale, not only the refund of my purchase price, but Wallace's airline ticket and any out of pocket expense if he arrived and the car wasn't as represented.

Be willing to not trust...a little. With this sale, we had to send our cashier's check but in return received the bill of sale. The sellers bank put a hold on the check for 5 days. But we had a certified and notarized bill of sale that protected us in the transaction. I felt much better and helped alot that I had become friendly with the seller.

Go to MECCA. Don't trust that the car is as advertised. Go there see and pick up the car yourself. Then, take it to a car transport or drive it back home. You'l see and be able to drive what you are purchasing. Again, if the seller is dishonest, you'll know immediately, but should be covered by your bill of sale.

Follow this advise and your are on your way to a fabulous deal! By the way...I passed on 5 cars before I found the perfect one owner Benz Wagon with 20K miles and a warranty until 2010...all for $5K under retail. You can do this too. Take your time. Good luck!