In the past many people were leery of buying a used car because of the mileage on the vehicle, but today’s cars are more reliable than ever before meaning it might be possible to drive them well over the 100,000 mile mark.

John Ibbotson, a supervisor at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, told MSN Money that over the years the life-span of cars has increased dramatically.

Ibbotson says that 100,000 was the limit of most cars through the 1970s, but the number began to shift upward through the decades. By the 1990s, cars were able to handle up to 150,000 miles before an engine went. Cars of today, Ibbotson says, might be able to handle up to 200,000.

What this means to a used car buyer is that a properly maintained late model used car with high mileage is probably not as scary as it would have been 20 years ago.

Maintenance is always an important factor in keeping a car running and Ibbotson says one of the most important things used car owners can do is read the car’s manual and stick to the scheduled maintenance in the book.

Jesse Toprak, an analyst at Edmunds told Dow Jones last month that used cars are better than they were in the past.

“[Consumers are] realizing that the used cars of today are not the used cars of a few years ago, and that realization is not positive for new car sales,” he said.

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Lower costs at the pump have many used car owners thinking they’ve been saving money, but the AAA says motorists have seen an insignificant drop in ownership so far this year.

According to the automobile association, drivers currently spend 54 cents per mile – 0.1 cent less than last year.

The AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report says the average price of regular unleaded gasoline is at $2.047 per gallon, far below the $3.331 motorists saw a year ago today and less than half the $4.114 consumers paid for a gallon last July.

Marshall L. Doney, vice president of AAA Automotive, says that while gas prices have dropped significantly from a year ago, drivers are facing increases in other automotive expenses.

“While motorists are experiencing relief at the pump, those savings have been countered by revised Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy estimates and increases in vehicle ownership costs such as insurance premiums, depreciation, finance charges and other fees and taxes,” he said.

In what may be surprising to some, the cost of ownership of an SUV has actually fallen 1.9 cents per mile, according to the report. Although they have seen a rise in depreciation and insurance costs, SUV owners pay 68.4 cents per mile – or $10,259 per year – to own their vehicle.

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It appears that falling gas prices have changed people’s buying habits when it comes to used cars as a new report from AutoTrader.com finds that an increasing number of car buyers are looking at gas guzzlers.

According to the figures from AutoTrader.com, trucks and SUVs took 11 of the top 20 spots of the most viewed vehicles on its website with muscle cars taking three additional spots on the list.

The company says that while many people are wary of purchasing a new car in the current economic climate, used cars sales are seeing growth. Of that growth, large vehicles like SUVs are seeing the biggest increase.

Between March 2008 and last month, views of the Ford F-150 rose 12.77 percent while its larger cousin, the F-250 saw a 24.4 percent increase.

Chip Perry, president and CEO of AutoTrader.com, says that while the auto industry is being hammered for not producing fuel-efficient vehicles, it appears consumers are not very concerned with buying those cars at the moment.

“The government says that part of the reason for General Motors and Chrysler‘s current woes is their failures at building the smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, but at the same time, we are seeing consumers shopping and buying full-size pick-ups and SUVs – not compacts,” said Perry. “Americans have traditionally gone for larger and more powerful vehicles and without gas prices spiking to $4 a gallon or above like they did last summer, there’s little indication that this trend will change anytime soon.”

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Men who are interested in buying a used luxury vehicle have yet another reason to make the purchase now that a team of scientists have proven the widely believed thought that women are more attracted to men with expensive cars.

Scientists at the UK’s University of Wales Institute in Cardiff say their study which is published in the latest edition of the British Journal of Psychology, proves that women prefer men who drive a “sexier” vehicle.

In the study the researchers showed women two pictures of the same man. In one he was sitting in a Bentley Continental and in the other he was behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta (essentially the UK equivalent of a Ford Focus).

Dr. Michael Dunn, research leader for the study, says women preferred the man when he was driving the Bentley with women aged 21-40 picking him as the more attractive version more often. Men, Dunn says, did not have a significant preference when a woman was sitting in two different cars, the study showed.

Jennifer Love Hewitt apparently doesn’t need someone to driver her around in an expensive car as the Ghost Whisperer star reportedly recently purchased a Bentley Continental which has a base price of more than $197,000.

For many Americans their dog isn’t just a pet, he or she is part of the family. Because of that, many people factor in their dog when they’re looking to purchase a used car.

While the owner of a Great Dane might decide to purchase a Ford Expedition over a Honda Civic to give the animal more room on car rides, more often used car buyers opt to buy after-market accessories to make their trips with their furry friend easier and safer.

One product that MSN auto suggests is a car seat for the owners of tiny dogs. The seats let the little guys see what’s happening outside the window while at the same time keeping them safe. Some of the more advanced models even have heaters to keep your pooch warm.

Other suggested products from the news provider help keep your dog in his seat and out of your lap which the site notes is unsafe for both the dog and the driver. A ban on lap dogs while driving has also been proposed in a number of states in recent years.

The number of pet- and family-friendly features in used cars grows every year with vehicles being produced now which have everything from entertainment systems to back-up cameras.

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For used car buyers, making a new purchase can be a tricky affair – but even when the deal appears to be done, there are some things to consider before driving home with your vehicle.

According to U.S. News & World Report, before paying any money a used car buyer should ask for the vehicle’s title. The magazine also encourages people to pay with either cash or check whenever possible.

It should go without saying, but you need insurance before you can drive your car off the lot. Because of this, it’s a good idea to have all the insurance needs situated before you even go to buy the car.

The news provider suggests double-checking the insurance policy and confirming the registration of the car before you take the keys.

Studies show an increasing amount of Americans are choosing used cars over new vehicles as the economy continues to sag. According to a survey earlier this month from Cars.com, 32 percent of people who would have normally purchased a new car during a better economic situation chose a used car in February.

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Some people think that once they’ve done their homework on a used car and taken it for a test drive all the hard work is over and they just sign the paperwork put in front of them. But experts say this is the time that a used car buyer needs to take their hunt to the next level.

According to US News & World Report, once you’ve discovered the car you want to buy, it’s important to go back to the internet and do some research by using the car’s VIN numbers to get a detailed history of the vehicle.

If problems are flagged up, the news provider suggests going to a mechanic and talking about the issues. Depending on how bad they are, you might want to discuss a reduction in price for the vehicle.

Although you may really want the car, the magazine says to not get emotionally involved as it might impair your judgment. It also says you should be prepared to walk away from the deal if you’re not comfortable with the negotiations.

A hybrid car might be a good choice for used car buyers as the prices have dropped due to the decrease in gas prices over recent months.

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People usually look for used cars to help save some money, but in the case of one used car, the owner is expecting to get more than $1 million.

As the idea of purchasing things online becomes more mainstream, more people are buying used cars through online auto auctions. But while it may be a good place to find a used car, it seems unlikely many people will be able to afford the SSC Ultimate Aero which holds the title from Guinness World Records as the World’s Fastest Production Car currently on sale on eBay.

The bid for the car is currently at $640,100, well below the expected going rate of $1 million by auctioneer TwentyFirstCenturyAuctions which is auctioning off a number of classic cars including two 1966 Chevy Corvettes and a 1966 Dodge Charger Hemi.

But the SSC Ultimate Aero, which can reach speeds of 257 miles per hour, is the big seller on the site at the moment. If the top speed and 0-60 in under three seconds weren’t enough, the car also comes with air conditioning, a DVD player and a framed certificate from Guinness commemorating its record braking speed.

For those interested, 20 percent of the price is due within 72 hours, with the remainder due a week later.

With so much information available on the internet today, many used car buyers are able to get almost all the knowledge they need on a car purchase. But there is still one important part of the car buying experience that has to be done in person – the test drive.

The test drive is one of the most important steps in buying a used car. No matter how good the car looks on the outside, if it drives poorly or has horrible noise coming from the engine, it’s probably not going to make a good purchase.

According to U.S. News & World Report, before stepping into the used car to go for a spin, buyers should take a look around the car to look for any signs of damage or other problems.

Once in the car, the magazine suggests driving in a normal fashion, but advises to be conscious of any noises that might be a sign of trouble. It also says to look for factors that might come into play later like passenger space, visibility and the checking to make sure the controls work.

Having a third party mechanic look at the vehicle is also a suggestion made by many experts before buying a used car. If the owner or dealer won’t allow you to drive the car or have it inspected it might be the sign of underlying problems with the vehicle.

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Some people refrain from buying a used car because of a few scratches to the paint, but if a new material invented by scientists at the University of Southern Mississippi becomes available to the public, dented cars could fix themselves.

According to research published in the journal Science, scientists at the school have invented a polyurethane coating that if applied to some surfaces, can heal scratches when exposed to ultraviolet light.

“In essence, you create a scratch and that scratch will disappear upon exposure to the sun,” Urban said in an interview on the Science website.
Researchers say the paint could be made into any color and while applications to cars is the first thought that comes to mind to many who hear about the coating, many other products could benefit from it as well.

While the findings may seem like a miracle find for used car buyers, the scientists warn that the paint can only heal the same area once. Repeated damage to one spot will not be able to be fixed – expect through traditional means.

Consumer Reports suggests that used car buyers inspect a car before making a purchase, including looking around the car to point out dents and scratches as it may point to other, more serious problems.

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