People looking for the right used car have many concerns. Keep in mind that pampered cars, those that have been lovingly and regularly cared for, will stand out in more ways than just having that showroom shine. Here are the major things to consider in buying used cars:

Avoid cars with rust problems. If the car shows signs of rusting, more likely than not, it won't stop deteriorating. It is a sign of improper maintenance from the former owner.

Take extra effort in checking a high-mileage car. The more miles a vehicle has on it, the shorter its functional life will be no matter how properly-maintained the vehicle may have been. Look for vehicles that have an average of 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. A three-year-old car should have 45,000 to 50,000 miles. This generally indicates the previous owner used the car in a reasonable manner. Mileage puts wear-and-tear on every part of the car even if you get an engine rebuild for it. Putting a new engine into an old and worn chassis simply creates a weak link in the system. Wear patterns are generally consistent.

Beware of flood-damaged cars. Check the title to see if it has been stamped "submerged" or "flood car." If the title doesn't indicate, take a look inside the car. Check the carpeting for sand, silt or salt deposits. Further evidence can be found by removing the chrome from around the headlights and checking the intake and exhaust manifold and other crevices for sand and silt deposits.

Think twice in buying vehicles with parent company already pulled out of the United States and no longer sells or supports their vehicles in this country. Don't let yourself get all the headaches everytime you need to get the right parts for your car's maintenance. Parts and service will be very hard in the makes of the Fiat, Yugo, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Isuzu cars, Renault, Daihatsu and Sterling. These companies have been discontinued in the last 20 years in the United States and they are hardly backed by existing dealer networks.

Avoid cars with R12 Coolant. This stuff costs $50 a pound to replace. Moreover, it requires specialized recapturing/recycling systems. Thus, it can add more or less $300 per year in your maintenance costs.

Keep away from vacuum-controlled components. Some GM and Ford engineers promoted these actuators in the late 70s and 80s for the heater, folding headlights and other controls. If the tubes get brittle and break or become disconnected, it affects how the engine runs, and the components stop working. Worse, the connections that are usually hidden under the dash are very hard to reach.

It is not advisable to shop for cars during the night. Shop on your day off or take time off to get the right car for you. At the very least, if you find something you like at night, go back the next day to look at it again before buying. Always keep in mind that there may be things that show up in the daylight that can't be seen at night. If possible, bring along a friend.

Beware of improperly-installed after market items. In general, the more complex the car, the more likely it is to have problems. Be wary of after market items, such as sunroofs, that may leak if not well installed.

Always keep in mind that your car is your investment. Allot great time and effort in choosing your new ride. Consider your present and future driving needs. Purchasing one that fails to perform adequately leads to a tremendous re-investment. Buy your prospect car if it's worth the price. Get the most reliable one you can afford.