While there are several warnings to heed, many of them can be overcome through simple preparation. Private individual sales can be found in the newspaper, through used car advertising books and through word of mouth. Though the newspaper and advertisement route may be a more daunting option because one does not know the seller, these sales also offer the variety that one cannot find from friends and family.

There are also tons of websites where you can specify exactly what kind of used car you're looking for, and then get hooked up with a private seller. Some popular ones are:

http://www.autotrader.com
http://www.ausedcar.com/
http://www.autoweb.com/

SoYouWanna know more? Check out our full-length article SYW buy a used car?