Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases you are likely to make in your entire lifetime (next to becoming a homeowner). There are many factors to consider when making your decision. The following article has some helpful tips and advice that is sure to make your selection process a bit easier.

You will be wasting your money if you refrain from negotiating the price of the car. In fact, you should never purchase a car for the listed price. Dealerships inflate prices to give room for negotiations and to give you the impression you are getting a good deal even though they only give you a small discount.

Don’t forget to look into the cost of parts for a vehicle before you buy it. Some cars, especially imports, cost significantly more to maintain than others. Investigate the cost of parts that wear out frequently, such as tires, brakes, and windshield wiper blades. Research the cost of alternators, spark plugs, and other engine components, too.

Get your financing set up before you visit a dealership. You can accomplish this with a trip to your bank or nearby credit union. They will offer you lower interest rates if you show up in person, plus you can use their offers to bargain with the dealership, too.

Research both your car and your dealer before negotiations. If you already know about the trade in policies and financing types they offer, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to negotiating. Also, learn from others, by reading any rip off or scam alerts about that dealership.

Ask your friends about what they hear. Do they like the car they have? Do they wish they’d gotten another one? Do they know anything about the latest cars to hit the market? If you are getting ready to buy, this is one of the best ways to get started.

Before you begin car shopping, write out a budget. This will allow you to know how much of a payment you can afford. You should establish a monthly budget for your car payments and your insurance. You may want to go loan shopping prior to looking at cars.

Do not be so free in giving out your SSN. A lot of places can use this information and they’ll take it and use it to run your credit. Many credit report checks can be a red flag to financiers. Wait until you’re sure that a deal can happen before giving out the social security number you have.

Set a spending limit before shopping for your new car. It is easy to get swayed by pushy salesmen or a nice leather interior, but it is important that you stay within your budget. You may like the cause of spending extra, but you will not like it when it comes time to pay for it.

You must have an upper limit on your spending set before going to a dealer. Factors that should go into this number are the value of the vehicle that you are interested in, your financing options, as well as your income.

Talk to your bank or credit union before you head out to the dealership when you are in the market for a car. Find out how much of a loan you are eligible for. This way, you will know how much you can afford to spend, and you will know what kind of car to look for.

Do not get all the extras offered during the negotiation. These things include extended warranties, clear coat and fabric care options. You can generally purchase these features after you have bought the car for a fraction of the price. Also, do yo really want to be paying for these few features over the length of the loan.

Check for dealer incentives. You might want to call ahead to a few different dealerships to find out which promotions; they are running that may benefit you. Do that before going out to a million different spots. Just use the phone and ask them personally, and you may be able to save more on your car.

Watch out for dealership advertising fees. These are often tacked on to new car purchases, and you should not have to pay them. Car dealerships have to advertise as part of doing business, and many shoppers who challenge this fee will win. If your salesman will not remove this fee, ask to speak with a manager.

Spend time doing your homework on used cars before you commit. Online resources can help you determine the value of a car. In order to find out the worth of a car, feel free to use NADA or Kelly Blue Book. If a dealer is overcharging based on these sources, shop elsewhere.

Take your time when shopping for a car. It can be very tempting to purchase the first car you see because it looks nice or it has nice seating. However, there may be a car out there that is even better for you. Shop around and make comparisons before making a purchase.

If you know what kind of car, you want, and you know what dealership you want to go through, give them a call before you go. This way, the dealer can have the car ready for a test drive when you get there. It will save you and the dealer time that could be spent negotiating.

Before you make your final selection of a car, talk to your insurance agent. Some types of vehicles can cause your insurance to go up significantly. This increase in monthly insurance premiums might leave less in your budget to afford the car of your dreams. By having a clear understanding of the total cost to own the car, you can make an educated decision.

With all the different options to choose from, buying a car can seem a bit daunting at first. However, if you use the information mentioned in this article, you will learn how to make a wise selection that you can be proud of. Just remember to be patient and do your research!