By Joseph D. Younger
You couldn't find a better time to shop for a used car than now. As the economy suffers with higher gas prices and a possible recession, purchasing a used car becomes a less expensive financial option for those seeking a different ride.

Used car inventories are high and many new vehicles are coming off leases. But how do you sort the peaches from the lemons?

If you've ever hired someone for any job-whether for a babysitting gig or an executive position-then you know the drill. In fact, picking a used car is a lot like hiring a new employee. You assess your needs, sort through a stack of paper candidates, and finally focus on three or four applicants. Then you schedule personal interviews to really size up the most likely prospects. Take the following tips to conduct a revealing, no-nonsense one-on-one.

Look past the dressed-for-success image. Knowing the importance of first impressions, everyone dresses up for interviews-including used cars. But you want to identify a candidate who'll do the work, not simply look the part. For best results, schedule the interview on a dry day in bright sunlight. It will help you spot subtly bubbled or blistered paint (which may conceal rust) and faded or slightly mismatched colors (which may signal a collision repair). Squat down and peer along the sides, front to back, looking for evenly spaced panels and true lines.

Inside, the features should pass the Goldilocks test-not too old, not too new, but just right for the car's age. The brake pedal, for example, usually offers a good clue. An excessively worn one on a car with 30,000 miles might indicate odometer tampering. On the other hand, a brand-new, completely unworn pedal surface should raise suspicion as well.

Delve into the candidate's character. Nothing predicts the future success of a used car better than the conscientiousness of its previous owner. You can tell a lot about character by asking for maintenance records and looking carefully under the hood.

What should you watch out for?
Worn belts, corroded battery terminals, and obvious signs of leaks, to begin with.
"A thin black film on the underside of the hood or on engine components usually means oil leaks are present," says Dan Hensel, manager of AAA Carolinas' Car Buying Service who often purchases cars at dealer auctions for members.

"That always warrants further inspection by a mechanic," said Hensel. (Of course, a pristine, newly cleaned engine may mean that the owner has tried to erase evidence of leaks.)

All fluids-oil, coolant, brake, power steering, and transmission-should be clean and full, indicating regular upkeep. The transmission fluid is especially important, because new or rebuilt transmissions cost thousands. The fluid shouldn't smell burnt or feel gritty when you rub a dab between your thumb and finger.

Expect a quick self-starter.
If possible, start the car after it's been sitting for a while-preferably, overnight. Troublesome starting problems generally show up when the engine is cold. All of the warning lights on the instrument panel should illuminate with the ignition key in the first or second position, and extinguish with the engine running. A warning light that doesn't illuminate at first may signal a burned-out bulb-or a deliberately disconnected one.

Beware of a candidate blowing smoke at you.
"Look at the color of exhaust," says Jim Grey, vice-president of Automotive Services for AAA Carolinas.

"White exhaust is fine when the engine is cold, but indicates a potentially expensive problem if it remains white when the engine is warmed up," Grey said. "Blue exhaust may indicate engine work is necessary. Black exhaust usually means a minor fuel system adjustment is needed. But if the inside of the tailpipe is greasy, it means the car burns oil." With an engine that burns oil, you have reason to end the interview right there.

Listen closely to what the candidate tells you.
Would you hire somebody who hems and haws and fidgets in response to your questions? Dubious cars send similar warning signals-if you pay attention. With the engine warm and idling, give it a little gas and listen for clicking or tapping under the hood, which indicates sticking valves. With the engine still at idle and your foot on the brake, shift slowly and deliberately through the gears ("P" to "R" and back, "P" to "D" and back, "D" to "R" and back). Do you hear thumps? If so, forget this one.

Assess on-the-job performance.
Put the candidate through its paces over the road. Does it accelerate rate well from a stop and -more important-from entrance-ramp speed to merge with traffic? Does it upshift smoothly? Does it downshift promptly for passing? In a large, flat, empty parking lot, cruise in a straight line at about 25 mph. Then, lift your hands a smidge off the steering wheel. The car should continue to track straight. Veering to one side may indicate an alignment problem. (You can confirm this later by examining the tires for excessive wear on the inside or outside edges.) Continuing in a straight line with your grip very loose on the steering wheel, step lightly on the brake while keeping your hands poised above the wheel. Expect the candidate to slow gradually and smoothly, without shaking, vibrating, or pulling to one side. Throw a few curves. When you round a curve or make a turn at a steady speed, the steering wheel should return to its center position pretty much on its own. If not, you're looking at a steering, suspension, or alignment problem.

Check references and background.
Radio Shack learned its lesson recently. The folks at corporate headquarters there wiped egg off their faces when they discovered that their CEO never earned the degrees he claimed to have. Nobody had bothered to vet his resume when they hired him. You can save yourself similar embarrassment and expense. Though not 100 percent foolproof, a vehicle history report from an independent source such as CarFax can tip you off to odometer fraud, laundered titles, and flood-damaged or salvaged vehicles-particularly important nowadays, in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Probation is important. Most new employees have a probationary period agreed to in advance to see how they perform. Some used car dealers - and AAA Carolinas' Car Buying Service - guarantee a car bought through them will pass state inspection and operate without a major drive train problem for 30 days.