Buying a used car.

[Bonded]

Real question is private versus retail?

I am currently in the US and need to get a car for daily driving. Seeing as I have no credit history down here, I have not been offered enticing credit terms and want to stay 8000 or less so I can buy in cash.

Dealerships seems to have some very inflated used car prices around that range.

Any tips?

[Vulcan]

I'd pick out what models you are looking for and than check out the depreciation values. Here's a site that calculates depreciation and don't forget to bargain either privately or with a dealer. It also has some links to research for pricing info.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/20011226a.asp