The reasons for buying a used car have never changed — they cost less to buy and insure. The way of doing so continues to evolve. As with so many other things, the change starts with the Internet.

Dealers have embraced the Internet, not only to list their inventory for prospective buyers, but to try and give them the feel of doing everything but hear the engine. One often overlooked benefit of touring the Web for used cars are the deep discounts available — usually at least $1,000.

And the Internet is also useful for extensive advice and data.

“Millions of used car buyers now turn to the Internet to obtain valuable information about used vehicles,” reports CarFax.com. “With the Internet, consumers can shop nationwide for a specific make and model, obtain a vehicle’s current resale value, and compare safety and repair reports.”

Just as a starting place, Kelley’s Blue Book is online (www.kbb.com).

Auctions are not the place most people first think of buying a car. But as the crowd at Stoke’s attests, its not only dealers that show up looking for a bargain.

They are gaining respectability and about 10 million used cars are sold through auction annually, according to James Flammang at Tirekick.com.

Both these avenues for purchase do not, yet, reach the level of confidence buyers have in talking with dealers. “They just come better informed,” said Rick Hern, Courtesy Auto Ford vice-president.

Dealers must conform to the implied warranty law on the books in Washington state.

“Every used car sold by a dealer in the State of Washington for personal (not business) use has an implied warranty of merchantability,” the law begins, like language in the bills of 21 other states. “This means that the dealer promises the used car will be fit for ordinary driving purposes, reasonably safe, without major defects. A car can be sold without the implied warranty of merchantability (“as is”) if the consumer waives or gives up, the warranty.”

It then goes on to describe that the waiver is not automatic, even with an “as is” sticker on the window.

The used car market is a $350 billion a year industry, making up 73 percent of all vehicle sales. One explanation is that, like people, cars live longer now.

The average age of cars on American roads today hovers around eight years old, and continues to rise. Thirty percent are more than 10 years old according to The Polk Company, which compiles statistics for the automobile industry.

Every car seen on the road is only worth as much as its driver. Whether the car is used, “pre-owned,” “pre-loved” or “road-tested,” it’s not alone out there.