Are you tired of worrying that every time you leave the house, get in your car and head off to work that you'll end up having to walk after your car breaks down on you in the middle of the highway during the morning rush hour? When it comes to letting go of an unreliable car and investing in one that will get you around reliably, some people have a hard time letting go. If you've had enough and are ready to buy a used car, you'll find a few tips to help you get through the buying process below.

Do you have the title for your old car?

If you have the title for your old car, you may have the option to use it as a trade in. Unfortunately, older cars don't carry much value, and when you add the fact that your old car isn't reliable, you'll be offered even less. One thing to consider about taking the trade is that you'll be out from under that car. Sure, you might have been able to sell it for a bit more, but you would have had to go through the work of cleaning, listing and meeting potential buyers — then messing around with having the title transferred. Sometimes, a little less money is worth less of a headache.

Do you have a down payment?

Do you have any cash on hand to put a down payment on the vehicle, or to help pay the taxes and fees associated with buying a car? If not, you'll need to be able to qualify for the entire amount on an auto loan. If this is the case, go online and use one of the multi-lender auto loan application websites. These websites will provide you with several different offers from various lenders. You'll be given a total amount that you'll have to work with, different financing fees and various lengths of loans — you can use those numbers to figure out the best lender to work with and how much you'll have to spend.

Do you know what kind of car you want?

If you're not set on any particular type, you'll have a much easier time finding a great deal. Look at different kinds of cars, test drive them and choose the one that not only meets your budget, but also meets your needs.

Talk with a used car salesperson for assistance in choosing the new used car that will reliably get you to and from work without worrying about a roadside emergency occurring.