<prompt> Human: I currently have a 2010 SUV that gets around 24.5 mpg and resells for around 16K. Ive got 2 years of payments left at a .9 interest rate, but my thinking is that I could sell my current vehicle, buy a used higher mpg sedan, and then pay off my loan 7500 with the difference in price. Id get better mpg I commmute about 42 miles round trip every day, so that has a big impact on the bottom line, and kill my monthly payment.Should I go through a dealer? Their prices seem a bit high, but is it worth the safety?Are there other things I should be considering? Any advice would be great. Thank you!  <response>: The only reason to use a dealer is convenience, there is no guarantee that their cars are better maintained or better quality. They also make it easy to trade in your old car, but they screw you on the value compare trade in values vs. private party sales on KBB. You can sell your car yourself even without the loan paid off, there was a thread on rfrugal about it recently.The best way is to go private party off Craigslist or a local classified. Arrange to meet the seller at a mechanic that you know and trust, and picked out yourself. Do not use a dealer Get the car inspected by the mechanic. Often you can talk the seller into paying for the inspection; I have had good luck with the deal Ill pay for the mechanic if I dont buy the car.Pay cash for cheap cars, you may have to get a certified check for expensive ones but after sellers spoke with me and determined that I was not sketchy, they were often willing to take a personal check.Be sure to read up on the car, nearly every model of car has a forum dedicated to it, but you can do well with an rcars post and ask about known issues. Educate yourself, you will save money. Get AAA and immediately budget a car repair and replacement fund. All cars have issues, and its best if you have a grand or two set aside for a potential expensive repair. You can take the money out from whats left over from selling the expensive car. 