Used cars is an industry that accounts for nearly half of American auto retail sales.
Believe it or not, the used car industry is actually the largest retail segment of the economy – with annual sales of up to $370 billion.
The Used Car Industry Keeps Getting Stronger
Compare that figures with other retail divisions, such as $206 billion in annual sales for school and office products, and the $291 made annually from home improvement products.
The industry has grown so large that in the past two decades it has been the recipient of a public relations facelift.
Of course a big factor in the value of a vehicle is how well it has been maintained. 
The older blonde, driving, said: “Imagine how it would sound if I changed the oil or even popped the hood the past year!â€
Over the past few years the automotive industry seems to have made a full commitment to the green movement, pushed – not merely nudged – by factors such as consumer demand, the widespread global warming debate and gas costs.
First, officials for Toyota and Subaru said the Japanese automakers will team to develop a sports car with a box engine, which we will see hopefully around 2011.
It seems pretty far-fetched, but industry insiders continue to talk and write about it. 
Gas prices are driving owners to sell their SUVs and pickup trucks, and used car buyers don’t want to take unreliability along with large bills at the pump. 
“The SUV craze was a bubble and now it is bursting,” automotive economist George Hoffer told The Boston Globe recently. “It’s an irrational vehicle. It’ll never come back.”
First things first, make sure your used car looks good. Yes, you have to clean it completely. You have two options, do it yourself or pay someone else. 
If you are interested in fighting gas prices then certainly you will be interested in the fuel economy of the car you want to buy.