Barbara Terry is a female car expert with a charismatic personality

When shopping for a used car there are several key fundamentals that you as the buyer should focus upon in order to insure you are making the best purchase. First of all you should establish your budget. This will enable you to narrow down your possible alternatives to those models in your price range. Secondly, the buyer should research the makes and models you find appealing within your budget parameters. Then lastly go out and test-drive all of the cars that strike your interest. I have always said, "there is a butt for every seat"; this is so true, because we all have different budgets, likes and dislikes when it comes to our car preferences, so follow this process and you will find the right fit for you. It has been published over and over by numerous sources that women make up the final decision when purchasing the automobile whether it be for their own use or for the use of their husband and family. Here are a few tips to make sure that your purchasing decision is the best one possible:

• All Wheel Drive. It is always smart decision to invest in an all wheel drive vehicle if you live in an area that has significant weather issues (e.g. snow, heavy rain etc.) not only for your personal safety but for the safety of the passengers in your vehicle and the other drivers on the road surrounding you. Of course this decision will usually result in lower premiums paid for the insurance coverage of your car.

• 4-Door Vehicle. If you have a family or about to start one, choose a 4 door vehicle for the obvious practical purposes of accessibility in getting the car seat in and out and space. It seems to me that when you load up the family for a road trip that it should be as painless as possible even though it is much like a "troop movement".

• Gas mileage. It is not necessary to purchase a V8 engine to have a lot of get up and go; today's 4 and 6 cylinder engines put out more than ample horsepower to get the speed you desire, plus you will realize better gas mileage.

• Color Selection. When you are choosing a color, remember to pick one that will be desirable in resale market for that time whey you inevitably decide to sell the car. For example, I do not suggest buying a turquoise car, because that decision will limit the number of potential buyers that would have an interest in your car. I would; however, suggest one of the following most popular colors for resale, which are black, silver, white and red.

• Extended Warranty. When purchasing an extended warranty, I would thoroughly research the warranty company as their financial stability. Many automobile manufacturers will reduce the cost of the extended warranty if you purchase it before the manufacturer's factory warranty expires.

• Used Vehicle Mechanical Inspection. Have the car checked out by a qualified mechanic or have the dealership that you are purchasing it from give you a detailed inspection report of the items that were inspected and/or repaired while in their possession.

• Paintwork. When purchasing a car that has had previous paintwork, do not assume that the car has had or will have a problem. Take the car to a qualified and reputable body shop and have them determine if the repair was done properly. With this information, you should be able to buy the car with confidence and at a reduced price because it has been in a prior accident.

• Competitive Environment and Timing. It is important that you remember that creating a competitive environment and time are two of your greatest negotiating tools. If you can locate more than one car that fit your needs from multiple dealerships, tell them about each other and work one dealership against the other in order to get a better deal and the price that you need to fit your budget. Also, I suggest telling the dealer that you would like to go home and think about the purchase and consider your options before accepting the final offer. Go home and give it a couple days, they will definitely call you and be willing to make a better offer.

Now that you have purchased your vehicle, proper maintenance becomes the issue. Working around your car is pretty simple if you learn the basics, like checking and maintaining the fluids, checking your air in the tires, changing a tire, the proper way to detail your car etc. Here are a few tips to quickly educate you on basic maintenance so you do not have to depend on the men in your life when it comes to the well being of your car:

• Fluid Levels. I cannot stress how important it is to maintain proper levels underneath your hood (or trunk if you drive a Porsche). Checking and maintaining your fluids (i.e. oil, transmission fluid, washer fluid, brake fluid is as simple as making Macaroni and cheese. I do understand how many people fear getting under the hood of their car but once you have learned, you could do it in your sleep.

• Fluid Replacement. It is not enough to just keep the levels up on the fluids described above, one must also replace the fluids frequently enough to keep them clean. Dirty oil is almost as bad as low oil.

• Rust Prevention. To help reduce the potential of having a rust issue if you live in a snowy climate, I recommend washing your vehicle at least once a week during the winter, and to additionally help in preventing rust get your cars undercarriage coated with a rust protector.

• Service Appointments. Make sure you get your car in for recommended service appointments covered by your warranty and pay attention to warning messages sent by your vehicle's monitoring system.

I hope these tips have been helpful and that you will benefit from them and good luck with your car purchase and maintenance.