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What I do is research the make and the year to see what complaints have been made, and keep an eye out for those issues. We look at the Car Fax also. Currently, we have a 2007 Dodge Durango and a 2008 Ford Expedition, both bought used from a new car dealer. We try not to buy throw away cars, those that run 150,000 to 200,000. Also watch to see just how many of a certain year and model are on the market, as lemons always surface in that way. Also, watch "recalls", as I was looking at a car, and realized they had a few in say a 3 year bracket, and researching, the manufacturer had taken those cars back, and these had came from an auction.
Better quality used vehicles can lead to debt-free.