Shopping for cars is generally a stressful experience. It does not have to be, though. With a little knowledge and determination, your car shopping experience can be devoid of stress. Use the tips that follow to make your car shopping experience one that you enjoy, with a shiny new car to show for it.

If you are in the market for a used car, a great way to tell if the speedometer is correct is to look at the gas and brake pedals. If someone says the car has 30,000 miles on it, and the brake and gas pedals are worn, it is a good indication the odometer was turned back.

Safety features and specifications are extremely important things to consider when shopping for your next vehicle. You cannot do without anti-lock brakes, also referred to as ABS. It is also important to have air bags. You are needing to use this vehicle a lot, so safety is important.

When you are considering buying a used car, always have your mechanic check it out first. You are not a qualified mechanic trained to spot problems or repairs, so you need to take it to a professional. Be prepared to pay $100 or so for this service, but it may end up saving you thousands.

You should always test drive your vehicle before buying it. It doesn’t matter that you may already have decided on the car. You should still take a test drive regardless. Being in the car and driving it gives you knowledge you can’t get otherwise. You may notice trouble with the brakes, misfiring, sticking or slipping gears, or a number of other factors that the dealer didn’t tell you about.

Here is an idea, do all your car shopping even Did you know you can actually find and purchase a car online? Most dealerships have websites where you can shop from the comfort of your computer. You do not have to deal with pushy salesmen, the weather, or even putting on decent clothes.

Test drive more than one car before you buy it. Any new car is going to feel fantastic if you’re used to driving an old one. Think seriously about how the ride feels, where the buttons are located, and how much of the road you are able to see. Test-driving more than one car will help you realize where you want to be.

If you are trying to determine your trade-in value for your current vehicle, be sure to take it to a few dealers. By going to a few different dealers, you’ll be able to get a rough estimate of how much your car is actually worth. This will allow you to turn down low ball offers that someone may make for your car.

Offer to purchase a car on the spot if the dealer will meet your price requirements. Offer a price that is reasonable, usually at or slightly above invoice. Come armed with information about how you came to this price, and ask for a commitment in writing that they agree to it.

Sit down and write a list of what you want in a vehicle. There should be a separation between things you need and things you want. If you find a car that meets all of your needs, you should not hesitate because it does not have every single thing that you want.

If you don’t have friends or family in your area to ask for advice from, check the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out how the dealers in your area are dealing with customers. This will allow you to at least remove those with many complaints from your list of options.

Ask the salesperson tough, detailed questions about the car. Make a list before you go based on internet research so that you know the answers. If they get any wrong, you know you’re dealing with an inexperienced, knowledge lacking sales force, which shows a low-quality dealership is in place.

When it comes to purchasing a car, whether new or pre-owned, you need to beef up on your negotiation skills. Cars are intentionally marked up because the sellers understand that a negotiation must take place. So make sure you NEVER pay sticker price for your vehicle and if you can’t haggle, get someone to do it for you.

Never give your trade-in’s keys to the dealer before you’ve come to an agreement. The dealer could take your keys (and thus, your car) hostage and manipulate you into an unfair deal. Always hold on to your keys and if the dealer wants to take a look inside the car, open it up for them while you hold the keys.

Never buy a car without test driving it first. That even includes brand new cars and trucks. Not only do you want to make sure the car is mechanically sound, you also want to see how the car fits you. Decide if the car “feels” right. Some cars are not designed for taller people, for instance.

Take the time to learn about the cost of ownership of the car. Research the cost of tire replacement as well as brake replacement. They are the two most common repairs that will need to be made to cars. If you cannot afford the tires, you likely cannot afford to keep the car.

Always look under the hood when searching for a new car. Even if you do not know a lot about cars, you can certainly look for certain things. There should not be rust and all of the hoses and wires should look mint. If this is not the case, do not purchase the vehicle.

Keep an eye and an ear out for discontinued models. Dealers want to get rid of this inventory, so they often tack on huge rebates to your purchase. If you don’t care about having the latest and greatest, this can be a good way to save money. The vehicle will also come with a warranty, just like any other car you buy off the lot.

You can shop for cars without going through tons of stress. While car shopping is something that many view as stressful, with some general tips, you can be driving off in your new car in no time at all. Use these tips to help you make your car shopping experience enjoyable.