To me, the best way to buy a used car is buying from a private owner (never from a dealer) with 3 critical conditions:
1. One/original owner.
2. The car has never been in an accident .
3. Selling the car because not needed anymore or need money - not because something is wrong with it.

Make sure the owner write these statements and signs it to ensure that he/she is not lying and you take him/her to court later if it is not.
You can pretty much tell how sincery the seller is when you talk to the owner.

This way you save money (nod dealer mark up) and most likely you are buying a good used car.
Craigslist is a good place to start with.

Calvin, if I were you, I'd hire a mechanic who, during the day, services and repairs that make for a franchised dealer. Pay him well for his time and have him drive and examine the used car before you make an offer. Also, have the dealer allow your expert to put the car on a lift, etc. for full checkover. Buying a used car can be chancy. It might turn out to be the best couple hundred dollars you'll spend----either enabling you to save a bundle off new price for a good as new car or helping you avoid buying someone else's troubles. Also, get a Carfax report. Be careful.

Use the paddles shifters. Not the same as having a clutch tho of course. And is the manual really worth trading in your NEW car for a USED SAME CAR?!!! Seems like a loss to me. Plus 2 owners already?!!! Just go buy a NEW ONE AGAIN :p

@ltp, oldguy, sophia

thanks guys, i decided i won't do the trade anymore. sophia makes a lot of sense, new car for an old car is stupid
fusznissan was tellin me i could get a brand for 28k-30k, i called a dealer today they said i'd have to add in 6k so my final decision is to keep the car til i graduate in 2 yrs sell it and then buy another car, hopefully a m3 or something
haha