With the right advice, you can have a much better experience when it comes to buying cars. Everyone has had a less than stellar experience. Flip everything on the salesman, and learn to stand on your own two feet. You can take control, and you can get the deal that you’ve been looking for.

When you shop for a car, you need to figure out what you’re looking for first. You need to know your budget. How many people do you have to have fit inside your car? What kind of gas mileage do you want? Do you want a two-door car or a four-door car? You should make a list of all the features you are looking for, and bring it with you when you go shopping for a new car.

Don’t be persuaded to sign for a car that your budget cannot afford. A lot of current sports car owners were smoothly talked into one by a salesman who convinced them that they would look great driving it. Know that the person selling you the car is interested in commission, so when they sell a pricy car, they get paid more.

Do not get your heart set on a particular model of car when you are car shopping. You need to leave your options open so that you can get the best deal possible. The exact car you have decided you want may not be the best available option at the time you are ready to buy.

Do not wait until you go car shopping to think about how you are going to finance your car. You need to arrive at the dealership with your car loan pre-qualified at a decent interest rate. You are almost always going to be able to get a better deal than the dealership would provide for you.

Understand how many miles per gallon your automobile gets. For instance, you may think it is wise to buy a vehicle with a V-8 engine and towing capability. However, are they features that you will frequently need or use? If so, are they useful enough to offset the lower fuel economy?

Never show up at the dealership driving a luxury vehicle. Once they see what you are driving, they will be less likely to make any deals with you.

Never turn over your trade-in keys to the salesperson before the deal is finalized. Some pushy salespeople will hang onto them in an effort to pressure you into hearing them out, even after you have turned down a deal. Keep the keys in your possession and only hand them over when the deal is done.

Be fully aware of the quota system most car dealers work on in order to make a living. Use this against them by shopping at month end. The sales staff will want to sell you a car to meet their goals. This can help give you some wiggle room with your negotiating.

Although some sites suggested not test driving a vehicle because of the emotional attachment that can happen, it is never a good idea to purchase something without trying it out. Take at least a fifteen minute long test drive to really get a feel for how the car handles and how comfortable the car truly is.

It can take a lot of time and effort to buy a new car. That said, you can at least comparison shop online. Lots of Internet sites give you comparison information in one easy place. This helps you narrow down your choices, which can save you both time and money.

If you are looking to purchase a used car, it is of the utmost importance that you get a copy of the vehicle maintenance and repair history. This will allow you to see what has been done to the car, and if it has been in any serious accidents.

If you cannot find the exact car that you want, ask your dealership if they can order it for you. Most domestic cars can be custom ordered with the exact upgrades and options that you want. Even used cars are often easy for car dealerships to find and have shipped to their location. You will have to wait a bit longer for this option, but it might be worth it if you have your heart set on something specific.

Always be leery of any used car dealers on the side of the road. These dealers almost always have a less than reputable reputation. The cars they sell could have flood damage, need major repairs, and are sold without warranty. Once you drive that car off the lot, any problems the car has are now your problem.

If you see two price stickers on a car in a lot, you might want to head to a different location. This is a sign of a high pressure sales force who wants you to buy all the bells and whistles. If you think you can withstand their tactics, you can stay, but you may not get the best deal there.

When a salesman says he is going to present your offer to the manager, do not accept the offer. Make another offer and once they give the manager this, he will make the lowest available offer. They don’t want the process to take too long, so at this point they will offer the lowest price.

Since purchasing a vehicle, new or used, is a significant investment, it is important that you explore your options thoroughly. A good starting point is determining what your budget is for this purchase and how you will finance this purchase if you do not have enough money saved to make full payment up front. By knowing how much you can afford to pay each month, you can narrow down your choices when you start actually shopping for your next automobile.

You should now know more about what to do when you visit a dealership. Whether you’re buying used or new cars, it’s time to saddle up and take care of business. No one is actually stopping you from that deal but yourself. Be well-informed, and take that information to the bank!