re: Used car buying advice for an OT poor?

Rule #2 is completely wrong. You can find some great used cars at new car stores particularly if you find a car in the same brand as the franchise. I bought my used Acura at Acura of BR, got my wife's Audi at Jim Ellis Audi in Atlanta, and my sister in law got a used Camry at Team. First, these cars are often trade ins and have been serviced at that dealership. I've gotten service records on the Acura and Audi this way. Second, these cars all go their their service departments and dealerships wholesale them if there is anything wrong with them. I will take these odds over a car I find in the paper anyday.