If your goal is to ensure you aren't buying a "lemon," these guides written by experts and mechanics are highly recommended. Consumer Reports Bookstore
: Widely regarded as the definitive authority. It provides exhaustive reliability histories based on millions of owner surveys, safety data, and crash-test results. Reviewers from Thriftbooks often cite it as the only guide they trust because it is not influenced by manufacturer advertising.
Car buying books generally fall into three categories: for reliability and pricing, strategy-based books written by industry insiders to master negotiation, and mechanic-authored manuals for inspecting used vehicles. Top Data and Reliability Guides
These books are updated annually and are considered the industry standard for unbiased research.
: Authored by former Motor Trend editor Richard Nerad, this provides a potently clear philosophy for business and personal success in car negotiations.
: Published by The Homework Guy Team , this e-book and paperback by former salesman Kevin Hunter teaches consumers how to beat adversarial dealer models by understanding how dealerships truly make money. Used Car Inspection and Maintenance
: This is another comprehensive annual guide focused on safety, fuel economy, and maintenance costs. It is designed to help consumers compare technical specifications across different brands and models quickly.
These books focus on the "games" played at dealerships and how to bypass them.