Most of my cars, I’ve bought from friends, co-workers, or relatives, or people that they knew. We agree on blue book value, I get it checked by my mechanic, occasionally I’ve had to get a bank loan, and it’s done.

Part of it’s starting to keep your ears open when you think your current car may be getting toward the end of it’s life, so that you can take advantage of anything you might hear about. Part of it’s asking people if they’ve heard of anyone who might be getting rid of their old car. And part of it is people remembering that you’ve asked about these things before so that, when they or someone they know start thinking about getting rid of their old car, you’re one of the people they think of who might be willing to take it without hassle, at a fair price.