@culture: buying a used car here is similar to anywhere else. If you choose a large dealer and buy a car with full '4S' maintenance (dealership service history in local speak), and have a pre-purchase inspection performed, then it is hard to go wrong. But that option may not suit every budget.
However, buying a cheap car, especially privately like I did, means that you can't expect a car that has been maintained fastidiously and never been crashed, so you just have to take it on it's current merits. If looking at cars below 10,000rmb, anything that starts, steers and stops and that doesn't smoke or overheat should have a reasonable chance at having a few years life left in it.
@Allen: the in-laws resented the traffic in town because they were limited to carrying their shopping across the busy roads to the bus stop. I agree with you, cars can be a problem if you are not in one and trying to share the road with them. They have given a thumbs up to the car as they no longer have to wait for a bus, then have to sit/stand in the filthy bus while it makes numerous stops to their destination, followed by a considerable walk.
As for the hot springs, it's a 30min bike ride of dust and coldness. I would have thought 5mins in the car, with an ability to do some food shopping on the way home, is being productive.
I understand there are too many cars (and people) in the city, but I rarely go there and am not about to criticize the choice of a person to either use public transport, or drive their car. People can hop on their pogo-stick naked for all I care.
Somebody asked a question here, and I felt there was a relevant comment to post in response. Yes, I am biased, as I love cars and made my living by selling them back in Aust. - so it is with great pleasure that I witness Chinese people (and even a few laowai) embrace the era of private car ownership.