Whereas some individuals relish the thought of heading to a dealership to select a new vehicle, others find the process to be extraordinarily daunting and stressful. In order to get the best experience possible when looking for a car, it is advisable to conduct a bit of early research on the subject. Keep reading for some terrific advice.

When you are going to buy a car, you need to know ahead of time which features are essential for you in the car. Have a clear picture of what you want, so you can search for the right price as well as the right car for your needs.

Watch out for the up sells in the financing office. When you reach the financing office, you will always be offered an extended warranty, interior protection, gap insurance and other such add ons. Make sure that you understand these well before making a decision to purchase them. Most are not worth the money you will spend, and you’re better off saving each month in the event that you need a repair or your interior gets a stain.

Know your limits. Before you start shopping for your next car or truck, decide how much you can afford to pay, and stick to it. Don’t forget to include interest in your calculations. You can expect to pay around 20 percent as a down payment as well, so be prepared.

When buying a used car, a great way to tell if the car has been in an accident is to look into the door frames. Usually when a car is repainted, you will notice over spray in this area. This is not proof that a car was in an accident, but it will let you know it was repainted.

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.

As you shop for your car, think about fuel economy. For instance, you may think it is wise to buy a vehicle with a V-8 engine and towing capability. You should keep in mind that you may not need the towing feature that frequently, and you may not need a vehicle that makes that much power.

If you are wanting to buy a new car, you should ask your bank for financing before you go to the dealership. Doing so is in your best interest. Normally a dealership can give you a better interest rate than a bank.

Once you know how much you have to spend, find out about the cars within that range. Learn about the car itself, its miles per gallon, number of doors, trunk space, driver’s reviews, safety record and how frequently it needs repairs on average. Assign each a rating and go for those at the top of the list.

Visit auto shows so you have a better idea of what interests you most. Auto shows are the best place to directly make vehicle comparisons. You will also get the opportunity to talk to a lot of car experts all in the same place. It should be possible for you to leave an auto show knowing which cars you want to investigate further.

Whenever shopping for a used car, it would be wise to stick with certified pre-owned vehicles as this greatly reduces the likelihood that you’ll end up with a car that is in poor condition. Just make sure that the certification if offered by the car manufacturer rather than the dealer.

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.

Do not buy used cars without doing research first. There are sources on the Internet that will tell you what a car is worth. Blue book websites are great for finding out about a car’s value. If this dealership is selling you a car for much more than these two sources state, go to another dealership.

You should never even consider purchasing a car before you test drive it. In fact, before giving a test drive and general overview of the car, you need to assume it is horrible. The car needs to prove itself to you, so don’t fall in love with a specific car and then try to justify its value.

A certified used vehicle does not guarantee that the vehicle is in good condition. This is just a new way for car dealers to trick people into thinking that they are guaranteed a high quality used vehicle. Do not fall for it. Research certified vehicles just as you would any other to fully protect yourself.

New car buying has an element of excitement to it, but it can also be characterized by nervousness and uncertainty. Conquering the doubt the process can engender simply requires some education and knowledge. With any luck, the tips above have left you feeling prepared and confident about your next visit to the car dealership.