Alright, let’s skip the typical advice here. “Always bring a mechanic,” “Never bring cash,” “Buy from a reputable dealership.” Yada, yada, yada. We’re beyond that point. You’ve got your eyes on a real gem—some used car sitting in a driveway, and you’re determined to get the best deal. After buying more than 100 cars this way, and always paying with cash (because let’s be honest, I’m not doing this twice), here’s your crash course on how to handle it like a pro.

Step 1: Pick Up the Phone

The first thing you need to do is call. I can’t stress this enough: Rapport is key. A conversation helps you learn more about the car, the owner’s situation and—just as importantly—whether you’re about to meet a friendly neighbor or the next criminal mastermind in a Criminal Minds episode. Also, keep your radar on for any warning signs of “I might end up on Dateline” vibes. Once you’ve got a feel for the owner and the car, proceed.

Step 2: Run the Carfax

Now that you’re reasonably sure the seller is a regular human and not a sociopath, it’s time to dig deeper. A Carfax report can be your best friend here. Accidents can lower a car’s value, though not necessarily its reliability. But even more crucially, it’ll tell you where to look for potential issues. Knowledge is power.

Step 3: Use Your Nose

Yes, you read that correctly. Before you start poking around, take a deep breath and start sniffing. I’m talking fluids here, not the air freshener the owner probably sprayed to hide any weird smells. Smell the engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant—anything you can get your hands on. If it smells burnt, run the other way. You don’t want anything with burnt fluids, trust me. While you’re at it, take a deep whiff of the interior. Moisture or mildew smells? Water damage could be lurking. Stick your hand flat against the upper passenger floor, too. Feel any dampness? That could be a busted heater core, and that’s a deal-breaker.

Step 4: Symmetry Is Your Friend

Next, let’s talk about symmetry. Seriously, don’t skip this step. Walk around the car and make sure the gaps between body panels are uniform on both sides. The doors, hood and trunk should all match. Symmetry can tell you if the car has been in a wreck and whether the repairs were done poorly. If the Carfax report shows an accident and you notice some odd gaps, it’s a red flag. If there’s no accident listed, but you notice asymmetry, that’s even worse—it could mean the car was in a collision and the owner just didn’t report it. Symmetry matters. Trust me, it’s gonna come up again later.

Step 5: Trust Your Gut (and Walk Away From Anything Off)

If you’re a novice or this is your first time buying used, here’s a golden rule: If anything feels off, walk away. Don’t try to outsmart yourself or talk yourself into thinking it’s nothing. Some problems are easy to spot and fix, but others? Not so much. There are plenty of good cars out there, so don’t waste your time gambling on something that feels even slightly wrong.

Step 6: Take It for a Drive

Now the fun part: driving the car. But don’t just putter around the block. Get on the highway and push it over 70 mph—speed amplifies problems. You want to drive for at least 10 minutes to catch any potential issues. Listen carefully to the car. Is the steering wheel vibrating? That could be a suspension problem. If you feel the vibrations in your seat, it’s rear suspension-related, which is more concerning. Feel it in the brake pedal? That could be warped rotors, but it’s less of a deal-breaker. And if you feel a vibration in an area where you noticed asymmetry, stop the car, get out, and run—don’t walk—away. That’s a red flag the size of a billboard.

Step 7: Negotiation Time

Alright, so you’ve done your homework. The car seems solid, and you’re ready to talk price. The key to negotiation? Let the seller make the first offer. This lets them set the stage, and you get to see if they’re trying to overinflate their price. If they’ve sold cars before, they’ll probably make you go first. At that point, be diplomatic but firm. Qualify your lowball offer by saying something like, “I don’t want to offend you, but…” and then throw out a number that’s a little bit below what you’re willing to pay. Silence can be your best friend here. Don’t be afraid to let the awkwardness hang in the air. Once you’ve got them where you want them, close the deal.

Step 8: You Did It!

Congrats! You’ve got yourself a used car, and you’re on your way to driving a much better car for less money. Sure, it took some hustle, but the payoff is worth it. Enjoy the ride—and don’t forget to bring that mechanic next time.

Eric Samson is a car enthusiast and entrepreneur. He can be reached at [email protected].