What’s your process for researching a car before making the final purchase?

[abdulsamad]

I’ve been thinking about how different people research cars before making the final purchase. When I bought my last car, I realized I probably skipped a few important steps and ended up learning things the hard way.
Now my process looks something like this:

1. Start with needs, not brands
   First I decide what I actually need. Fuel economy, space, reliability, and budget matter more than the badge.
   
2. Read owner reviews and forums
   Real user experiences are often more honest than dealership sites.
   
3. Check reliability and maintenance costs
   Some cars look cheap upfront but become expensive later because of parts and servicing.
   
4. Look at import options
   Recently I started researching Japanese cars for sale in UK because they often have lower mileage and good build quality.
   
5. Verify history and inspection reports
   Auction sheets, service history, and mileage verification are essential.
   

While researching imports, I came across a site called Nobuko Japan that explains how the process works and what to check before buying. It helped me understand auctions and condition reports better.
Curious how others here approach it. Do you follow a checklist or mostly rely on reviews and test drives?