Service records tell me more than mileage. A well-maintained car with higher mileage can be a better purchase than a neglected low-mileage vehicle.

I always pay for an independent inspection before buying. It has saved me from expensive mistakes more than once.

The seller's attitude matters too. If someone avoids questions or seems rushed, I usually move on.

I learned that the cheapest purchase price is not always the cheapest ownership experience.

bought a used car from Facebook Marketplace and it turned into one of my worst purchases. The seller seemed honest, the car looked good, and the price was attractive. A few weeks later I started having transmission and electrical problems that weren\'t obvious during the test drive. Looking back, I should have paid for a proper pre-purchase inspection. There are good deals on Marketplace, but my experience taught me to be very careful and never skip an independent mechanic\'s inspection.