One of the biggest moments in many peoples lives is driving off in their brand-spanking-new automobile. Its an exhilarating feeling. Its also a big moment because in that very instant, that brand-spanking-new car loses a big chunk of its valuethe difference between the retail price you paid and the cars wholesale value. Thats typically thousands gone in an instant.

Thats why some car buyers choose to shop around for a used car. You save yourself that steep initial drop-off in value. More importantly, you get a car that runs just as well, is just as dependable, and looks and feels as good as that new carthat is, if you play your cards right.

For if there is one pitfall of buying a used car, its the risk of buying a lemon, a junkercall it what you want, you get the point: the wrong car. Used car dealers, after all, have nearly as bad a reputation, if not worse, than lawyers do. This holds true for individual people selling their cars through newspapers, Web auctions and classified sites, or with the old-fashioned signs in their car windows. The saying, Buyer Beware, no where has more meaning than with cars.

The opposite to that, of course, is that there are some real steals out there in used cars. Were talking about quality vehicles that will perform beyond your expectations at a low price. Heres how to find these perfect used vehicles, and avoid the top 10 scams that used car dealers everywhere try to pull on you.

1. Get a second opinion for the hype. Used car dealers will bombard you with every adjective under the book to sell you on a carsporty, thrifty, fast, and etc. Dont take their word for it. Instead, find someone you know, whether a neighbor, a colleague, a family member, or a friend, who owns the same make and model of the vehicle, and ask them for their opinion.

2. Do a background check. One of the most unethical, but legal, things someone can do to you is sell you a used car thats been in a flood (and sort of repaired), or one thats had 10 previous owners (none of whom repaired it). To be sure you dont fall victim to this, track down a history report, including a clearance check on the vehicle title. You can even get some of this information from the seller, simply by asking why they are selling it. Youd be surprised what beans people may spill.

3. Examine for past damage. Used car dealers may also try to peddle a vehicle that was wrecked in a major accident. Its amazing what autobody experts can do to repair a cars exterior. So dont go by the outer appearances of a vehicle. Before you buy it, make sure that it does not have serious damage to its frame, which it would have if it was involved in a crash.

4. Call up your trusted mechanic. Used car dealers, especially the big lots, will say they put their used cars through a 100 point inspection, or something like that. Once again, a second opinion is in order. Get this one from your own mechanic. Hell be able to tell how good a shape the car actually is in. Also be sure to ask him or her how often the car had been serviced. A good mechanic can even gauge that.

5. Research for recalls. Needless to say, a used car dealer may sell you a car thats actually under recall in his mad rush to get the car off his lot. So be sure to call the car manufacturer, or visit their Web site, to see if the vehicle has any active recalls.

6. Avoid the leftover lemon. Along with recalled vehicles, dealers may even perpetrate something much worse on yousell you a lemon. (By definition, a lemon is a car thats still under warranty, which has such major problems that, warranty or not, it still cannot be fixed in a reasonable way.) The best way to avoid this is to research in Consumer Reports or the various automobile magazines, which all have yearly reviews of every make and model on the market. Theyll tell you whether a kind of car is known for being a lemon and prone to breakdowns.

7. See through the old paint and bait. Along with performing their 100 point inspection, car dealers may shine and wax a used careven repaint itto hide dents, dings, and rust spots. A keen eye, though, can see right through this.

8. Take the test drive. Once youve done all your research, homework, extra credit, and everything else called for in the first seven steps, then comes the funthe test drive. Drive the car for as long as its owner or dealer will allow you. Then youll get a better feel for how the vehicle handles, accelerates, brakes, and otherwise suits your tastes (or doesnt).

9. Be wary of the pushy seller. At any stage of the gamefrom the moment you first talk to the seller to the test drivebe careful if the seller gets pushy. Any dealer or seller who is in a rush to move a vehicle should set off bells and whistles. Why the rush? Are they hiding something? In some cases the seller may just be excited to sell you the carand actually happy for youbut in many other cases, they may be up to something. Better be safe than sorry.

Follow these 9 simple steps to avoid the scams and pitfalls of used car deals, and you could get the car of your dreamsfor far less than youd pay if it was brand-new. Plus, you get that same high when you drive your new used car home, without losing thousands of dollars.