Two tips for buying used cars

'Have you owned it since it was new?' You want to be able to piece together as much of the car's service history as you can. Be concerned about a car that's changed hands quite a bit--three or four times in two years, say.

'Are you the person who drove it the most?' Ideally, you want to meet the car's principal driver or drivers to see if they strike you as responsible people. Be wary of a car that has spent years in the hands of a teenager.