Struggling to get your car paid off? Are you mad about the last deal you got? Perhaps you’re looking for an automobile now, and you’re not sure what to do differently. You’re in the same boat with many other people. Keep reading to find out information regarding what to do next time you enter a dealership.

Always bring a mechanic along when shopping for a new vehicle. Car dealers are notorious for selling lemons and you do not want to be their next victim. If you can not get a mechanic to look at cars with you, at least be sure that you have him look at your final choice before you buy it.

When shopping for a new vehicle, consider all of your options. There are many used cars that have extremely low miles and rock bottom prices. The ones to look for are the ones that have been leased and returned. These cars have been serviced at the dealership and usually have plenty of factory warranty protection left.

Shop around before you even go to the dealership. If you spend some time on local dealer’s websites, you can learn about incentives that are offered. If you know what one dealership is offering, you can use it as a negotiating point and may be able to get a better deal.

Consider selling your car privately, rather than trading it in for the new car you want. You will almost always get more for your car through a private sale than you would through a trade in. Even if the dealership makes it sound like they are giving you a great trade in value, they will likely raise the price somewhere else to make up for the difference.

Shopping for a new car can seem complicated when it comes to pricing. Take your iPad or phone with you to the dealer. You can search the Internet and find car payment calculators that will let you know what your payment is going to be without having to rely on the dealer.

Search for your new car online before you ever visit a dealership. Searching online allows you to look at inventory from multiple dealerships, and it makes you privy to information about online only pricing. This is a great way to comparison shop and really make sure you are getting the best deal.

When heading to a car dealership, get prepared for your bargaining side to come out. While there many be some dealers who have your best interest at heart, most just want to get as much money out of you as they can. This is why you have to be strict and never settle on a deal you are uncomfortable with.

Make sure that when you are car shopping that you know what you’re looking for first. Call around to some of the dealerships and see if they have something you’d be interested in. You may also be able to find their website and check out the vehicles before spending time going up there.

Plan on going car shopping during the last week of the month. Most salespeople have some monthly quotas to meet and they might try generating more sales during the last week of the month to meet their quotas. When the month is coming to an end, the person that’s selling cars may not have met their quota quite yet. This means they may be willing to give you a better deal in the end.

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.

Be on the lookout for year end specials. These specials generally start in the fourth quarter of each year and feature manufacturer set deals that remain unrivaled when compared to other deals in the year. These deals exist due to the new year and new model year, which means newer cars taking the place of older ones.

When shopping for a car, it is important that you keep safety in mind. “Passive Safety” involves the features the car has to keep everyone in it safe. This includes reliable seat belts, air bags, energy-absorbing crumple zones and head protecting advice. Look for these features when searching for a car.

If you are planning on using your current car as a trade in, don’t let the dealer know right away. Your first goal is to negotiate down the price of the car you wish to purchase. Information like trade-in value is valuable to the salesman, so keep it to yourself until the right moment!

Be wary of financing if you plan to get another car soon. If you want to get a car without putting any money down, and plan to get a new car in a year or two, you’re setting yourself up to carry balances from car to car. You’ll end up paying more than the car is worth.

Ensure you are aware of rebates in advance. Some dealerships offer rebates in order to sell a car quickly. Unethical dealerships may fail to mention a rebate if you do not bring it up, and you will never know that you could have saved money on the deal.

Even if you have had your heart set on buying a particular vehicle, try to keep an open mind. There are many people who get so fixated on one car that they allow better deals to slip through their fingers. Look at other cars that are similar to the one you want since they may be a better fit for you.

Do you feel better equipped now to get the terms that you’ve been searching for? It’s not made easy, but with the information you’ve just read, you should be able to handle yourself much better. It’s time to walk out of the dealership with your head held high, knowing you secured a great deal.