NORWALK, Conn., April 11 - Replacing or buying a new car is not a simple task. And with today's high prices (both fuel and vehicles) many people are looking outside the new car lot for a reliable used vehicle.

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, 16.5 million new cars were sold at dealerships in 2006. During that same period, 19 million used vehicles were sold.

"People are starting to realize the money-saving benefit of buying a car that already has a few miles on its odometer," said Liz Allison, AutoVantage spokesperson. "But finding the right vehicle can also be a headache for the buyer."

There are many questions unique to buying used cars that are not always easy to answer: What is the vehicle's history? Has it had any major mechanical issues in the past? Is it safe to buy from online used car sources? Should I buy a car sight unseen? How old is too old?

"The salesperson at the used car lot may seem very helpful in matching you with the `perfect car,' but at the end of the day what's most important to him is making a sale," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage. "Fortunately, with a few helpful tips, being able to distinguish a stud from a dud is easier than you think."

So when it's time to buy your next vehicle, and if you decide used is right for you, here are some tips to help you find a car that's right for you:

• Know the pros and cons of your desired vehicle - Check out the vehicle model's repair record, maintenance costs, and safety and mileage ratings in consumer magazines or online.  Safety-related recalls are required by law to be publicized and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's website is a good place to find out if your car has any (www.nhtsa.dot.gov). The TSA also posts consumer complaints and defect investigations - good information.


• Check out the vehicle's track record - A vehicle history report from Experian Automotive (www.autocheck.com) is a cheap way to ensure that your car is not the victim of odometer fraud, past fire, flood or accident damage. All you need to access this information is the vehicle identification number (VIN), $15 and about five minutes of wait time. If you&#39re not going the pre-certified route, this could save you lots of money and aggravation down the road.


• Don't take their word, get it in writing - Dealers are required by the Federal Trade Commission to post a Buyer's Guide in every used vehicle offered for sale. This guide serves as your best friend in the world of used car buying and provides a lot of important information, including if the car has a warranty and what percentage of repair costs (if any) the dealer is obligated to pay. The guide always overrules your sales contract, so be sure any spoken agreements or negotiations are written into both.


• Use online as a supplement - Shopping online can eliminate some of the initial headache of determining what model vehicle you want, what options are available and a general idea of a car's going price. At online dealer sites specializing in used cars, such as Carmax.com, you can easily browse an inventory and find your "dream car" from the comfort of your home computer. But never purchase a car or pay a transfer fee to purchase a vehicle sight unseen.


• Negotiate with confidence - The blue book has been the authority on car value for more than 80 years. Consult the Kelley Blue Book before going to the negotiating table, and be prepared to bargain for the best deal on your car.


• Get the approval of your crew chief - Be sure to give the car a thorough inspection, inside and out. And then hand it over to the pros for the final stamp of approval. Visit a qualified mechanic for an automotive diagnostic and a thorough inspection of the undercarriage. Welding marks, dents and kinked structural parts on the car's underbelly may tell a different story than the owner. Dealers should have no problem lending you the car to have it inspected. If a private owner is reluctant, offer to follow him to the shop to have it inspected.  And if you don't have a certified mechanic, the Car Care Council, an organization that certifies U.S. diagnostic shops, has an easy-to-use website searchable by zip code (www.carcarecouncil.org). A thorough diagnostic will cost you about $120 and is well worth its weight in steel and rubber.


• Put the vehicle to the test - Think of the test drive like your warm-up lap.  Don't just take the car for a leisurely Sunday drive around the block - take a serious test run. Put some speed on the odometer and give the brakes a workout. Make sure the steering wheel doesn't wander from left to right or shake (this could just be a need for front-end alignment or wheel balancing, but could also be the beginning of a much more serious issue with the driveline, suspension or frame which could be pricey repairs.) Drive up and down hills, down highways and through stoplights. Remember, you're going to be spending lots of time in the driver's seat of your new car. If you can view the area where the car is parked overnight, check for oil or other fluid marks on the ground.


• Be savvy about your financing options - There are two ways to buy a car: you can pay the full cost outright or finance over time. Being able to pay in full is ideal because you avoid interest and other loan costs, but for many of us, that's just not an option. Dealers and lenders want your business, so they&#39ll give you lots of loan options. Beware of advertisements offering tempting deals to folks with bad credit or first-time buyers, because they are usually loaded with high interest rates. Get the facts on any loan before you sign the dotted line. Find out the exact price you're paying for the vehicle, the amount you're financing, the finance charge, the APR and how many payments you're up against.

Liz Allison, a spokesperson for AutoVantage, is a NASCAR TV personality, radio host and best-selling author. She has served as a racing analyst for TNT, CNNSI, TNN, CNN, ESPN and ESPN2. Allison has appeared on NBC's "Today Show," CNN, Fox and Friends, ESPN, MSNBC, Fox News Weekend Live and the Speed Channel. She is host of the No. 1 NASCAR radio show in Nashville, called "The Drivers Zone," on WGFX-FM. Allison is also host and track announcer for the Nashville Superspeedway. She is the best-selling author of "The Girl&#39s Guide to NASCAR" - and has written two sequels for Time Warner Books, the first of which was released Sept. 6 Allison has written three NASCAR Harlequin Romance novels, the first slated for November 2007 publication. She has penned articles for USA Today, NASCAR Scene, NASCAR Illustrated, NASCAR.com, MSN.com and FoxSports.com.

About AutoVantage
Members of AutoVantage (http://www.autovantage.com/ or 1-800-876-7787) can save from 5 to 20 percent on car care at some 19,000 service locations, including participating AAMCO, Jiffy Lube, Meineke and American Car Care Center locations. AutoVantage also offers 24-hour nationwide emergency towing, roadside assistance, and lockout protection from its network of more than 10,000 emergency roadside assistance providers. Trip routing for maps and door-to-door driving directions across the U.S. are also included. AutoVantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

About Affinion Group
As a global leader with nearly 35 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing valuable loyalty, membership, checking account, insurance and other compelling products and services. Leveraging its expertise in product development and targeted marketing, Affinion helps generate significant incremental revenue for more than 5,300 affinity partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Norwalk, Conn., the company has approximately 3,300 employees throughout the United States and in 10 countries across Europe.

About Affinion Group
As a global leader with nearly 35 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing valuable loyalty, membership, checking account, insurance and other compelling products and services. Leveraging its expertise in product development and targeted marketing, Affinion helps generate significant incremental revenue for more than 5,300 affinity partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Norwalk, Conn., the company has approximately 3,300 employees throughout the United States and in 10 countries across Europe, and markets in 14 countries globally. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO 27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI compliant and Cybertrust certified. For more company and investor information visit www.affinion.com.