Those squeaky brakes, that rusted hood, the cracked leather seats, not to mention all those unidentifiable rattles. It's time to buy a new car. But it doesn't have to be brand new. With some research and a little know-how, you may find the car of your dreams from a used car-dealer or the classifieds, with all the bells and whistles, at an affordable price.

Before even looking at the paper or going to the dealers, you have to decide what kind of car is right for you, says auto expert Rick Anderson. You may want the wind to blow through your hair in a convertible, but you'll probably need to chauffeur the kids -- and their entire little league team -- to softball practice.

When you've narrowed down the options, research the track record of the makes and models you're considering. Find out which cars often need expensive work after five years and which are dependable with age. A used car isn't a good deal if you constantly have to invest in repairs. Good publications to read are Consumer Reports magazines, which features a comprehensive review of new and used cars.

Once you have a price and a few models to work with, you can scour the classifieds and visit dealerships. Although you may have found the perfect car in the first shot, it is still important to comparison shop. "With a used vehicle, unlike a new vehicle, each one is unique," says Anderson .

Mileage is a good example of what you see may not be what you get. A lower reading is not necessarily the best deal. "People tend to spend a lot of time looking at the odometer reading (rather) than the quality of the car," says Anderson . A car with 60,000 miles on it may have been used for city driving, with a lot of wear and tear on the engine and brakes, while a car with 100,000 miles on it may have been used strictly for highway driving and received a lot of tender loving care.

"A mechanical check is the best way to find out if the vehicle has been put to hard use or not," says Anderson, "especially with a private sale, but that goes with dealers as well." Be sure to go to a mechanic you know or whom a friend or family member has recommended. Always see a mechanic, even if the car has been certified, and turn away from a seller who won't let your mechanic look at the car.

You can check a few things yourself to find out if it is worth paying a mechanic to look at the car. Auto experts recommend getting a written account of the car's accident history from the dealer and private seller. Get a CARFAX vehicle history report and see the vehicle's accident history, lemon law check and much more helpful material.

Feel the car's hood -- a warm hood means the seller may have started it earlier to hide ignition problems. Watch for paint color consistency and paint bubbles.

Also ask for the car's service records. Compare the mileage on the record to the car's odometer. Odometer fraud is a reason why curbside sellers can let a car go for a seemingly great price.

If the mechanic gives the OK, you've test driven the car on the highway and on city streets and you find the asking price acceptable, ask the dealer what guarantees are provided. Take precautions when buying a used car from a dealer or a private seller and soon you'll be riding around in your new pre-owned car.