Protect yourself when you buy a used car

Let a pro check under the hood and put the car up on the lift. He will be able to tell in half an hour whether you're about to buy a solid piece of machinery or just a bill of goods. Smaller problems the mechanic uncovers aren't necessarily a reason to walk away from the deal, but they do provide you with bargaining power. Get a written report from the inspector, complete with estimated costs for each repair, and go back to the dealer ready to negotiate either repairs or a price reduction.

Most dependable over time

In a study of five-year-old vehicles conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, original and second owners were asked to rate their 1993 vehicles performance in 89 categories, including the engine, brakes, transmission, steering, electrical components, water Leaks--even "squeaks and rattles"--based on the past 12 months of ownership. The vehicles listed below received the best scores in their categories.

Cars

Compact Car

Honda Civic

Saturn Sedan/Wagon

Subaru Impreza

Luxury Car

Lexus ES 300

Lexus LS 400

Lexus SC 300/400

Midsize Car

Buick Regal Coupe

Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera

Buick LeSabre

Sporty Car

Mazda Miata

Toyota MR2

Toyota Supra

Trucks

Pickup

Mazda Pickup

Toyota Pickup

Toyota T100

SUV

Isuzu Trooper

Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota 4Runner

Van

(TIE) Ford Econoline/Club Wagon and Mazda MPV

Oldsmobile Silhouette

Toyota Previa

Source: J.D. Power and Associates 1998 Vehicle Dependability Study

Leasing's gift to buyers

A record number of two- to five-year leases will end in 1999, dumping more than 3.5 million cars and trucks back into dealers' laps. With mileage caps written into the contracts and drivers worrying about excess wear-and-tear charges if they don't pamper the vehicle, your chances of finding a cream puff are better than ever.

Many manufacturers, including Cadillac, Honda, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan, certify the off-lease cars they sell at retail, which guarantees that you're not buying someone else's problem. Engines, transmissions, suspensions, steering, brakes and air-conditioning are checked closely, as is every door, window, seat, gauge, latch, button, switch, lamp and cup holder. Anything out of whack is adjusted to return the vehicle to like-new condition. Worn parts, such as belts, brakes and tires, are replaced with new equipment. Fluids and filters are changed. Some used-car programs come with all the trappings of new-car promotions, such as low financing and free roadside-assistance services.

With so many cars being leased these days, you'll find plenty of good-value, top-condition cars. Recently, Lexus dealerships in California were selling almost 400 1993 to 1995 model cars that had been leased. Prices generally ranged from 17% to 36% below original list.

Not all of these vehicles are low-mileage cars. Peter Lunsford, an aerospace supervisor from San Diego, is convinced he got a good deal on a six-year-old Nissan Altima that came with the manufacturer's backing and warranty He paid about $9,000 for the car, which had 89,000 miles.