Statistics show that as the economy continues to struggle more Americans are buying used cars. But according to U.S. News & World Report, there are some things car buyers should consider before even heading out the door to look at cars.

One of the first things the magazine says to do is to sit down and come up with how much you can afford to spend. With that figure in mind, it suggests checking out the going prices of cars you’re interested in through the websites of the Kelley Blue Book or National Automotive Dealers Association.

The price of the car is not necessarily the only monetary factor to consider, as the news provider says car buyers should also consider the cost of insurance for the vehicle they’re looking at purchasing.

Even before heading to the car lot, the magazine also recommends doing some homework on the used car you intend on looking at. Checking websites like J.D. Power and IntelliChoice can give buyers more insight on the reliability and depreciation rate of the car of their choice.

One type of vehicle used car buyers may want to consider is a hybrid. Because of the drop in gas prices in recent months, the demand for these cars has waned which may give sellers more of a reason to offer incentives.

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