Chances are, when you start looking for that perfect Volkswagen you'll look at more than one before you make that final decision. Most of us comparison shop. Whether it's finding the best deal on a new car, or getting the best rates on a home loan.

So, how much is that Volkswagen worth and what's all this about houses and new cars and comparison shopping?

Knowledge is Power.

When house shopping, you've got your bank, Realtor, lawyer and property appraiser on your team, assisting you with all the elements and variables needed to offset that emotional process. Car dealers have trained sale staff who can answer your questions beyond the wealth of information available online.

Unlike new cars and real-estate, buying a used Volkswagen smartly requires that you don the hats of salesman, appraiser, negotiator and mechanic. You'll need to hone these skills to navigate around potentially costly prospects you'll find along the way.

Over the next few months we'll be writing about these skill sets and will cover much of what you'll need to know to knowledgeably inspect, appraise and negotiate that perfect purchase.

The true value of any Volkswagen is not how much it's worth, but rather, how much pleasure it produces from ownership.