NotEinstein
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Before you buy, research.
Almost every car on the market has dedicated enthusiast sites on the Internet with advice on common problems with their vehicles. Search for "(vehicle name) forum" and you'll find lots of useful, albeit biased, information.
"Initial quality" is just that: the quality of the car's manufacturing. It has nothing to do with the longevity of these parts, and should only be taken into consideration if you want to keep dealer visits to fix manufacturing bugs to a minimum. It has zero bearing on used cars.
Buying New
If you feel like a jerk negotiating this way, remember one thing: the same effort you spend saving few cents at a grocery store can save you tens, hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.
New cars that have been sitting on the lot for a long time can be bought for used car prices. If the car has been there for over a year, then ask for a new battery and tires as part of the deal, as these parts are the ones most affected from sitting.
Buying Used
A Certified Pre-owned car is one that was leased by the dealer. The mileage will be low and there will be a lot of documentation on maintenance. These come with manufacturers warranties. While this comes at a premium, they essentially have the benefits of a new car.
Rental fleet cars are often mistreated and sometimes maintenance can be spotty. While these are sold for very low prices, buying one is a risky proposition.
If buying a car from the owner, assume they know nothing about cars. This means two things: nothing they say can be trusted, and there may be issues with the car they aren't aware of. Have the car inspected by a mechanic you trust before making a deal. Even if you don't mind making the repairs it needs, you can use this as a bargaining chip when negotiating the price.
 Posted 5449 day ago
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