Whenever you are in the market for a new vehicle, it can be a bit daunting going through all the different selections available to you. However, fear not, for this article is here to help you make the right choice. Use these helpful hints and tips to make selecting your next car much easier.

When you shop for a car, you need to figure out what you’re looking for first. For example, you will need to know your budget. How big does your car need to be for the amount of people you need to transport? What sort of fuel economy are you looking for? Do you want two or four doors? Make a list of everything you want, and take it with you so nothing is forgotten.

Find out the vehicle’s mileage before you agree to purchase it. Even if you know a particular car should get a certain gas mileage, be sure that it still does. A car can lose its efficiency overtime, which can mean a large expense in getting to the places you need to go.

Demand a safety report and vehicle history report from the dealer. Any good car dealer will have these items available for any vehicle on the lot. This is information that will tell you how safe the vehicle is as well as any major accidents or work that has been needed on the car.

Ask the dealer to let your mechanic examine the car. Find your own reputable mechanic, and don’t settle for one the dealership offers. Don’t use the mechanic that the dealer suggests. Having a mechanic there isn’t to drive the price down or to intimidate the dealer. It’s only to ensure that the car is worth buying.

You are a female shopping for a car, never agree to work with a salesman who treats you in a condescending way. Some salesmen will try to take advantage of female shoppers and offer them unfair prices or financing terms. This is not what your car-buying experience should be like. If it is, visit a different dealership.

Never shop for a car based on what you want to pay monthly. Most car sellers will try to help you shop around a monthly payment. This means they can put you in a car that is not what you want by telling you it is what you can afford. The only one who wins is the dealership.

Speak with the car dealer about his return policy. You may even want to get the policy in writing. Even if you have test driven the car and everything seems fine, you never know what could happen later that day or week. It’s important that you know what the dealer’s policy is on returning it in case something should happen.

Have you read what you’re signing? You should not just sign the contract without reading. Ensure you read it from top to bottom. Once you sign these things, you legally have an obligation to follow whatever the documents say. If you do not want to read it when you’re in the dealership, ask them if you can bring it home to read it. If you can’t take the contract home with you, request a copy of it or a purchase agreement that you can read over.

Research is key to a used car purchase. There are sources on the Internet that will tell you what a car is worth. NADA and Kelly Blue Book are great resources for finding out the value of a car. If the dealer sells for too much, try to find an alternative dealership.

When buying a car, think about fuel economy. A car with better fuel economy may cost a little more in the beginning, but it will save you a ton of money on gas. Think about the long-term when deciding which car to buy.

When you are looking for a used vehicle, you should avoid any cars with high mileage. People will tell you that they drove on the highway or that they drove responsibly, but you really don’t know. Even if you like the car, avoid buying it if the mileage is too high.

Have car insurance in place before you go car shopping. You need to have insurance before they will let you drive the car off the lot, so make sure to shop around for the best. While there are some companies that let you sign up from the lot itself, that may not be the best insurance deal you can get.

Try to avoid being taken to a “closing” room. When reaching the final stages of negotiation, many salespeople take the customer to a separate room, and sometimes even a separate “closing” salesperson. Try to avoid this if possible, staying in the open where you are less likely to be intimidated.

If a car salesman tells you, a deal is only good for today, do not fall prey to this trick. Dealerships like to put a sense of urgency into the negotiation process in order to get you to make a hasty decision. This always works to their benefit, and it rarely works to yours. If a deal is offered to you today, any reputable dealership will extend it to you tomorrow.

If a dealer offers to give you, a used car that is similar to the new car you are interested in, make sure to check the value of that car first. Go home and take a look at some online pricing guides to help. Sometimes these really are great deals, but sometimes it is a bait and switch practice used to get used cars off the lot.

While it is a good idea to look your best when you are visiting a car dealership, do not overdress. Don’t wear your diamond tiara and mink coat when you go car shopping. It will be very difficult to barter in that outfit!

As you now know, there are many things to consider when buying a car, whether it is old or new. Just remember to use the information provided int he article above and you are sure to make a wise selection. Before long, you will be driving in the car of your dreams.