Photo by Florian Olivo on Unsplash The title is one of the more important things you need to look at if you’re in the market for a used car. This piece of paperwork can tell you a lot about a vehicle’s history and condition, work you may need to perform on it, even how much insurance is going to cost. Many people will tell you to avoid buying a vehicle with a “salvage” or “rebuilt” title, as it means the car may have been through the ringer a time or two, and might not be in the best condition.

Photo by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash The legal process to buying a car can vary depending on where you live, as each state’s agency has their own requirements for driver licensing and vehicle registration. If you have never had to walk through this process before, or only have experience with purchasing a vehicle in another state, all the red tape can seem a bit confusing at first. This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to buy a car in Indiana, whether you are purchasing new or used, from a dealership or a private owner.

Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash The first automatic car, the Oldsmobile, first rolled off the factory floor in 1948. And by the 80s, automatic vehicles began to overtake the stick shift as the transmission of choice, and their popularity has only continued to grow over the past 40 years. Since then, the hot debate between drivers has been all about automatic versus manual vehicles. Purists want everyone behind the wheel of a stick, and many other drivers prefer the convenience of a clutch-free vehicle.

Photo by Christoph von Gellhorn on Unsplash If you’re planning on buying a used car any time soon, consider yourself lucky to live in Arizona. The process is thankfully straightforward, so whether you just moved out to the Grand Canyon State to appreciate the warm weather and stunning landscape or you’ve spent your whole life among the saguaros, buying a used car in Arizona should be a piece of cake, as long as you follow these simple steps.

Photo by Łukasz Nieścioruk on Unsplash Imagine this scenario. You find a car listing online and meet the seller in the mall parking lot. Everything seems fine, so you make the purchase, but a few weeks later, the engine throws a rod. Annoyed, you call the seller, only to find that they’ve disappeared. Now you’re stuck with a clunker, and a stranger has made off with your money in a curbstoning scam.

Photo by Timon Studler on Unsplash Buying a used car in Illinois can sound like a daunting task, but the complexity, which might scare you, is in place to protect buyers from predatory sellers. Proper titling ensures that you aren’t buying a stolen car, or later being accused of stealing the car you rightfully bought. Illinois also doesn’t want you buying a hunk of junk that can only make it off the lot before failing on you.

Photo by Yohan Marion on Unsplash The Palmetto State is known for its beaches, golf courses, and natural beauty. Maybe because of its leisure life, South Carolina is unsurprisingly also a pretty painless place when it comes to buying a car. It has a few state specific regulations and paperwork, but overall, things are very consumer friendly when compared to some of their neighbors. If you’re looking into buying a car in South Carolina, you’re in luck!

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash SUVs and pickups occupy a similar place in the hearts and minds of many drivers. They’re big, tough, utilitarian vehicles with the power to move whole families (or homes!) over rocks, through rivers, and up the side of mountains. We see those ads for new, tough-mudder-style vehicles and are overcome with a sense of adventure and outdoorsy athleticism. And while trucks and SUVs offer many of the same benefits, when you scrutinize the details, the two classes of vehicle can come out looking like apples and oranges.

Photo by Matt Duncan on Unsplash The Garden State can be a beautiful place to drive through, whether you’re driving up and down the shore, or through the hills of north Jersey on your way from Manhattan to Philadelphia. And while buying a car in New Jersey can seem uncomfortable, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be a (Point) pleasant experience. While you have to consider different needs when buying a new car from a dealership, a used car from a dealership, or even one from a private seller, they are all fairly similar, straightforward processes.

Photo by Evgeny Tchebotarev on Unsplash Buying a new car is both an exciting and overwhelming time. On top of figuring out the many vehicle choices, you also have to cope with car dealers and their sometimes stress-inducing tactics. We’ve put together an easy list of car buying hacks to consider when you begin your new car shopping adventure. #1 Know Your Credit Score If your car purchase will involve financing, it’s essential to know your credit score before you even begin looking for that new set of wheels.