Don't offer too little to start out, but don't take the seller's first offer either. Remember: You get what you pay for. Some used-car buyers answer classified ads and approach these vehicles with great trepidation. Such anxiety is rarely justified, but careful inspection is wholly warranted.

Check the Kelley Blue Book value for the model and year of the car and compare it with the asking price. The Blue Book is a catalog of car values, available at most libraries and banks, and online at www.kbb.com.

Make a fair offer that fits your budget. Avoid a figure that greatly under-values the car.

If the offer is not accepted, ask for a counteroffer. If it is too high, point out any problems you noticed about the car.

Make a second offer. This should be the counteroffer minus the cost of fixing any problems with the car.

Continue until you reach an agreement or a stalemate.

Pay with a money order or a cashier’s check.

Ask the seller to sign the title to transfer ownership to you. Federal law requires the seller to provide you with two documents: the title certificate of the vehicle and an odometer statement showing the car’s mileage. Certain states may require smog certificates and other forms (call your department of motor vehicles to determine exactly what you’ll need).

Note that in many states the seller is required to contact the motor-vehicles department to inform it of the transfer of ownership; it’s your responsibility to change the registration.