Are you finally taking the next step and purchasing a new car?! Looking for some useful, fun tips? This is the right place, since experts have given their advice here, and that advice can make car buying easier. Read on for expert car-shopping advice.

Always negotiate down the sticker price. If you don’t do this, then you are literally throwing money out the window. There is no reason to pay that much. They get inflated on purpose so that the customer can negotiate, so take advantage of that.

If you’re shopping for a used car, try to have it inspected by a mechanic not from the dealership. If a dealer does not want to allow this, look elsewhere. Your mechanic might be able to tell you if the car is any good or not.

When sitting at the bargaining table, take the time to negotiate the price of the car before talking about your trade-in. Doing this will help you get the best price on both vehicles. To do this effectively do not discuss trade-ins until after you have settled on a price of the new vehicle.

Get recommendations from people you trust. Do they like their cars? Do they feel they paid a fair price? What things are they hearing about different cars that are out there? If you are getting ready to buy, this is one of the best ways to get started.

Be aggressive and assertive. You will inevitably end up negotiating the price of your vehicle, so don’t be afraid to push a little. Be prepared to walk away from the dealership if you aren’t making progress. Leave the offer alone for a day or two, and then contact the salesman again. If they know that you are willing to walk away, they will be more likely to accept your offer or to counter-offer with a more reasonable price.

Before you go in to look at a new car, make sure you have thoroughly researched the proper trade in value of your current car. In fact, why not try to sell it yourself first before you buy. Either way, you will get more from your vehicle if you know what it is really worth.

Read all of the fine print that is on the contract for the car you want to purchase. Even if you think the car salesman is being perfectly honest with you about everything involved, you need to make sure you are not signing anything that you will have regrets about later.

Be wary of any dealer who is not willing to give you an extended test drive. Asking for a full afternoon to test out the car is a perfectly reasonable request. If the dealer refuses and will not accommodate the request, you should take your business elsewhere. A car is a big purchase and a big commitment, a dealer should understand that and let you get completely comfortable with the car before purchasing.

If you are car shopping and want to test drive some different cars, make sure you bring your license and insurance card with you. Many dealers will want a photo copy of them before you drive. This is just to protect them in case someone steals or damages a car. If you do not have them with you, they might not let you test drive.

Don’t expect to make a purchase in your first dealership. In fact, if you do so, then you are probably making a bad purchase. Shopping around is always important, and this is especially true when it comes to making an intelligent purchase with a car or truck. Take your time and look around.

Investigate cash rebates and discounts you are eligible for. Sometimes, there are discounts for veterans and students, for example. There are all kinds of discounts and rebates that are often run. Do a little research and find out if you qualify for any of the special deals that are available. That could save you some money on your car.

Ask people you know about where they bought their vehicle and their experience. You can learn a lot from other people’s experience, which can save you a lot of time and money. Do not be shy about it. People usually enjoy sharing their experiences with others, whether they be good or bad.

Ensure you are aware of rebates in advance. Many car dealerships will offer you the rebate at site as a way to offer incentive towards a quick sale. Dealerships that are less ethical will not mention these rebates and will sell you the car without you knowing about them.

When searching for a good used car, look for cars that still have some of the original warranty remaining. This way you will have a little piece of mind if there are any problems after buying it. Usually a manufactures warranty will cover the car for three years or 36,000 miles.

If you have flexibility, try to wait for a promotion with low interest. If you are really patient, you may even be able to find zero interest periods. This will make the total price you pay for your car be significantly less than you planed to pay. Keep an eye out for local dealerships running this.

Be responsible when buying a used car. Even if all the statistics on the brand and model you are buying are excellent, you do not know how the car was maintained. Get a qualified mechanic to check it for you. They can spot major issues that you need to avoid before purchase.

Carefully investigate “hidden” costs of any desired vehicle. Different cars have different costs in maintenance, fuel economy, insurance, and resale value. See how much gas you are likely to use on a regular basis, whether you need special types of oil, and research the cost of routine part replacements. All of these hidden differences can make a significant impact in the overall cost of ownership of a car.

Now that you have some terrific advice, get ready to have some fun while purchasing a vehicle. You’re on your way towards choosing that sweet ride! This will make this a great investment in regards to the work that was put into it.