eBay is a wonderful thing for gearheads. Barn relics, warehoused vehicles, and other finds are instantly online and available for perusing. Generally, these are weekend projects, but occasionally, you find some surprises.

#5) 1976 Lancia Beta Coupe

Selling Price: $2750

Cost Normally: $6000

Far be it from us to make fun of the everyday Italian car, even if we do crack up every time the word "Fiat" is mentioned. Still, the Beta Coupe was surprisingly reliable, but hard to find in good shape, and less than half of what you'd normally pay is a pretty good deal.

Of course, you'll still be driving an Italian car, so, that's a bit of a drawback.

#4) 1970 Jaguar XK-E

Selling Price: $18,000

Cost Normally: $36,000, at least.

Here's the problem with the Jaguar XK-E: finding one with a good body is difficult, and finding one with a drive train and engine in decent shape is pretty much impossible. Getting car insurance for it is no easy task, either. Oh, and there's also the matter of actually finding one, especially in the U.S. And, yet, 26 years ago, this beauty was driven onto the lot, parked indoors, and was left there to be picked up by some lucky seller. Hail Britannia!

#3) 1971 Mercedes Convertible

Selling Price: Lower Than You Think

Normally: $20,000 to $30,000

How much would you pay for a vintage 1971 Mercedes hardtop convertible, all original, with low mileage. Would you pay $20,000? $2000?

How about $200?

Apparently this seller just wanted to get rid of this car, as it was taking up space, and relied on eBay to drive up the price. Big mistake.

Sometimes, it's really better to just set your price fairly when you're selling online. But then again, you just wouldn't get great deals like this if people were careful.

#2) 1957 Chevrolet Corvette

Selling Price: $59,600

Cost Normally: $80,000

Why does this rank so high on the list, when it's way less of a deal than some of the others?

Because it's completely original.

Yes, that is not a restoration, not a replica, not a "mostly cherry" car. This is the real deal, all original parts, 1957 Chevy Corvette.

Apparently it was left in a warehouse in the 1970s with a cover over it and then completely abandoned for more than 30 years. So basically, you can get a 50-year-old car in lightly-used condition for less than you can get a restored junker. Aren't warehouses wonderful?

#1) 1964 Triumph TR3

Selling Price: $2000

Cost Normally: $10,000 at least

Triumph didn't sell many cars over here in the US. To be fair, they didn't exactly sell a lot of cars at all towards the end, which is why they became a subsidiary of BMW. But they did manage to move this roadster, which is highly prized by collectors...and difficult to find in the US. So for this one, complete with fine body work and working engine, $2000 is a steal, and we envy the lucky guy who got it.

Used cars have a lot to offer: they're cheap, they're available everywhere, the selection of used cars is better...but it's also riskier than buying new, sometimes. Here are ten questions you should ask before paying any money.

- “Who'd you buy it from?” Possibly the most important question you can possibly ask. A car's previous owner will tell you a lot about how the car itself operates, and what possible problems you may run into while driving it.

- “Is it manufacturer-certified?” The only certification that's worth anything from a consumer standpoint is the one from the manufacturer: they'll know what's wrong with the car, and how to fix any issues they may find. If it's not certified by the manufacturer, that would be a good time to leave.

- “Can I see the pre-certification inspection?” This is more for your peace of mind than to learn about the car: knowing what the mechanic had to fix before the car was certified can tell you what might go wrong with the car later.

- “Have you needed to do any other repairs after it was certified?” Sometimes these repairs are necessary, but you should find out what was done before you buy.

- “What's the cash price?” If you're able to pay cash, that's something dealerships love to hear. Sure, they make money on financing, but being able to pay up front means less hassle for them, and they'll pass savings on to you.

- “What comes with this price?” Find out up front exactly what the car includes standard as part of the deal. Does it need equipment, repairs, or any other money put into it?

- “Do you take trade-ins?” This alone can save you quite a lot of money. See what they're willing to give you for your old car, and how much that knocks off the price of your new car.

- “What's your return policy?” No reputable dealership would intentionally sell you a lousy car, but accidents do happen. Reduce their likelihood by knowing your options.

- “Is there a Carfax report available?” A dealership worth its salt will have this available for you right away. One that hesitates, or one that won't provide one, is one you should walk away from, or possibly run.

- “Can I take it for an extended test drive?” Provided you agree to a few conditions, there's no reason you can't take a car home with you for the night to test it out. See if they're willing to let you drive it around a little.

Good luck, and good hunting!

You say “used”, we say  “gently worn.”

It’s tough being a used car salesperson. Many people think that if a car is for sale on a used car lot, something must be wrong with it. That’s not the case, of course; most used car dealers are honest and helpful (you can use services like DealerRater to get dealer ratings).

But as long as they are used cars, there will be horror stories. Here are a few of the craziest real-life stories, taken from actual customers:

1. The Blazin’ Blazer

That’s what you get for buying 758 miles under the warranty.

“I purchased a 1999 Blazer with 29,242 miles. Yes, that's what it showed and the Dallas car dealership told us. The CARFAX report came up clean, too!

“Needless to say, I never got it home the day it was purchased. It overheated, redlined, and the water pump went out. I called the dealer, and they came and towed it in to be fixed. Well, that was all well and good. But, I now wanted my money back. They had a three-day, no-questions-asked money back guarantee.

“When I got the Blazer back on the second day of this 3-day policy, I had emailed my salesman with my concerns. He and his General Manager wouldn't take it back.”

2. It’s Not a Minivan, It’s a “Tinny Van”

“Is it hot in here, or is it just THE BROKEN AIR CONDITIONER?”

“My husband and I went to a used car dealer in Stayner, Ontario and bought a 1999 minivan. When we were first looking at it, I asked the dealer if the van had air conditioning and he said "Yes." I then asked if it worked. He confirmed it worked, but said it needed topping off, but that he had the stuff there and would have it done.

“He said that the ABS (anti-lock brakes) light was on, and that he would make sure it was fixed. I agreed to buy the vehicle, and signed the papers. He said he would have everything done and ready to pick up on Saturday. On Saturday, we picked the van up, only to find that the air didn't work, the ABS light was still on, and a wiper on the back that he said he would replace was not put on.”

3. It’s Called a Grand Am, Not a TWELVE-Grand AM

“It’s a steal. By which we mean, we are stealing from you.”

“They sold me a 1992 Pontiac Grand AM with 80,000 miles on it for $8,000 (and yes, I mean U.S. dollars). And that's not all -- with the ‘low’ interest rate of 29%, everything added up to more than $12,000!

“Two days after the deal of a lifetime, the engine started having problems; they took the car and made repairs. A month later, the brakes were working like a fast food employee after five hours of overtime, so they took the car again and made repairs. It’s been constant repairs ever since.”

4. The Shakin’ Suburban

If this truck’s a rockin’… it’s probably the alignment.

“As we drove the car off the lot, the power locks stopped working, so we turned around and took it to service. Unfortunately, it was during a holiday weekend and we had to leave it for four days. After leaving the Suburban with the service department, we went over to Enterprise Rent-A-Car where we stayed for two hours until they could find a car to accommodate us.

“The very next week, the car began shaking violently on the road, so I took the car in to have it fixed. Bruce was a nice mechanic, who kept the car for a week and told me it was fixed. But as I drove home on the freeway, it was still shaking.”

5. Handle With Care

Mis-handled.

“I purchased my used vehicle from ********* Toyota in New Jersey. The next day, I contacted my salesperson about the driver's side door handle being broken. He told me he would have it fixed. When I brought the vehicle to be fixed, I was told that *I* broke it, and it would cost me $600 to have it fixed, because it is not covered under warranty. So now my passengers either ride in the back seat, or get out through the driver’s side door.”

6. Maybe He Meant “Minty-Fresh”

“Did I tell you it was mint? Uh, I meant, slightly mint.”

“I bought my car back in April from a used car dealership in southern New Hampshire. Everything seemed great, because he said the car was in MINT condition … and to prove it, he would pay for the inspections. However, he insisted we get the car inspected at a garage of his choice. I’m thinking, okay, at least I don’t have to pay for inspection. So the garage passes my inspection, and I start driving home in my first car ever. I’m excited, but then I realize that my car isn’t accelerating. I shrug it off in hopes that the problem will go away.

“Finally, four months later, I get sick of the problem which seems to be getting worse, and take it to a different garage that I know and trust. They hook it up to the diagnostics computer and tell me I need a new transmission and engine.”

7. Vehicle Immobilizer Switcharoo

If only they made a “Shady Salesperson Immobilizer.”

“A Nissan dealer in Helena, MT sold me a 2006 Xterra a week ago that I absolutely love. One of the great features of this Nissan is the Vehicle Immobilizer, which means that your keys have programmed chips in them that allow you to start the vehicle. If the chip isn’t programmed for your vehicle, the car doesn’t start, even if it can be turned in the door and the ignition. Brilliant. Thieves hate them, but the insurance companies love this technology.

“Now I know that the car salesmen love it, too. Big Dan sold me the Xterra, gave me the keys and watched me drive away with the good key. Guess what? The other key wasn’t programmed, and the only place to get it programmed in town was at his service department. When I called back, he laughed and admitted that he knew the key wouldn’t start when he gave it to me, then refused to have it programmed for me.”

8. Volvo: Not Always a Safe Bet

The turbocharged engine didn’t drive fast, but at least it broke down fast.

“My wife got a Volvo CX90 from a dealer in Raleigh NC. These people are crooks. Within the first week of our purchase, the turbo went out on the Volvo engine, and it took them a month before they agreed to fix it. Then they pretty much told us that they screwed us, and wished us a nice life. I wish for their demise. The car has now completely broken down, and the engine is shot.”

9. This Golf is About to Fall Apart

This car is being held together with hair spray.

“Bought a used VW Golf TDi from a so-called VW TDi ‘Specialist.’ It was ‘fully inspected’ before it was sold and had a one-year ‘warranty.’ Yeah. Within three weeks, it blew the Turbo out, had a glow plug harness go bad, bad horn, transmission problem, bad brakes, a rebuilt head, wrong vacuum lines, wrong (non-diesel) coolant, non-functional headlights that were flopping around loose, no turbo heat shield, a clutch fixed with hair spray (it works ... temporarily), an undisclosed accident, and a bad rear shock and bushings.”

10. Did They Say “Inspected,” or “Unexpected”?

Seems kind of “Dodgey”

“I bought my daughter her first car from ****** Acura in Virginia: a used 2005 Neon that had passed state inspection. Eventually we found out the true state of the car: three tires bad, one rim damaged, control arm bushing worn out, motor mount broken, power steering leaking, and broken wheel stud. Only one question: How did this ever pass inspection!?

Pictures (Chronological)

http://www.bmwtowson.com/research/used-cars-baltimore.cfm

http://www.lotpro.com/Themes/Default/cars/8105.jpg

http://dahlbergmotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/1999-Chrysler-Town-Country-SOLD.jpg

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/vehicle-pictures/1998/pontiac/grand-am/92129171990615-480.jpg

http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1999/GMC/5578/1999.gmc.suburban.4506-396x249.jpg

http://www.bestusedcarspa.com/used-toyota-cars.jpg

http://www.newsrealblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/used-car-salesman.jpg

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200602/2006-nissan-xterra_460x0w.jpg

http://www.znoj.net/image/sxc90.jpg

http://cheap-used-car-s.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/used-volkswagen-golf.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1XknPAfZhcs/Sj0bVm93GiI/AAAAAAAAK_8/AgyezeOB8TE/s400/2005%252BDodge%252BNeon.jpg