Ah- the joys of purchasing a used car. Now, if you could only figure out which way to go about purchasing your used car! That being said, Edmunds.com lists the following five options for consideration [source]:

1. CarMax-Usually a hassle-free process because all of the vehicles are fixed (non-negotiable) and its sales is paid on a flat-commission basis (except in CA).
2. Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)- Are usually the most expensive used car option but are sold from a dealership of the same brand, having gone through extensive inspections. They also happen to come with the best warranties.
3. Dealer Non-Certified-is when a dealership accept trade-ins of a different brand (i.e. a used Nissan at a Honda dealership). Also qualifying for this status are vehicles of the brand sold by the dealer that are too old to certify. These vehicles don’t get the same amount of attention that a CPO would receive; however, they are still put through a stringent inspection, ironing out any major issues before they are put up for sale. They’re also incredibly easy to find at most dealerships.
4. Independent Dealership-Are also known as “mom and pop” dealerships because they are typically smaller and have a much more limited selection of vehicles. Vehicles found here are usually older and less expensive. Additionally, if your credit score is in the dumps, you’ll usually have a better time finding a vehicle here. However, the risk of fraudulent activity is a lot higher.
5. Private Seller-is when you purchase the car ‘as is’ from an individual seller. Pros include the fact that you cut out the middle man (aka: the salesman), and therefore, you can tend to find lower prices across the board (dealerships usually charge you up to 11 percent more). Private sellers are also easier to negotiate with.

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