Once upon a time, buying a used car was easy. All you had to do was head to a lot, pick the vehicle and fork over the cash in exchange for the keys. While some parts of that process may remain the same today, other elements are much more complicated. That's why some buyers need a little guidance to help them make decisions. 

Here are three tips you should use to make the shopping process a breeze and to ensure you wind up behind the wheel of the right car. 

1. Online tools can help complete the process 
Many Internet-based resources can be used to make the buying process easier. For instance, the New Jersey Auto Auction website allows you to start bidding on the used cars you want without even being on the lot. You can also get started on the paperwork needed for credit approval, which can ultimately save you a lot of time. 

2. Feel free to ask questions 
Some drivers may feel they are uninformed, and as a result, they have a long list of questions they think are dumb. Don't let this fear keep you from speaking up. Edmunds.com recommended all buyers ask as many questions as they see fit – regardless if they think it makes them look like an easy target. If you're really self-conscious about it, simply conduct some research beforehand so you have a general idea of the car you're looking at or recent trends relating to auto loans. That should relieve some of the pressure and cut down on the unknowns, allowing you to focus on asking more informed, specific questions. 

3. Determine the budget yourself
There are many resources available to help you figure out your budget, so you might as well use them. Online calculators can assist you in determining how much each auto loan or interest rate will cost you in the long run. You can also look up long-term cost of ownership for certain models, which will allow you to estimate insurance and maintenance expenses. All of these contribute to the bottom line and need to be considered as part of your budget. If nothing else, this will provide you with a baseline that you can then compare to the loans a financing department offers.