Buying a car is a process that you should invest a lot of time and patience into. Many people do not know this and they rush through the entire process. While this may get a vehicle into your possession much faster, chances are there will be a lot more headaches than smiles if you do this.

Go to different dealerships before settling on one. A different dealership might be able to get you a better price on the car you want, and may be running different promotions. Try three or four in your area, and even if you have to travel a bit farther, it may be worth it.

Know what you want before you step foot in a dealership. You are going to be dealing with professional salespeople, so have your mind made up about what you are willing to pay, what you want and what you are not interested in. That will make it less likely for them to sway you.

Most salespeople have monthly quotas they need to meet. This system works to your advantage at the end of the month. Salesmen who are missing a few sales will give you a great deal to meet the quota. This can help give you some wiggle room with your negotiating.

Bring a spare set of keys with you to the dealership. When they ask for the keys to your trade in, give them the spare. Some dealerships will use your car keys to hold you hostage if a deal is not made. You want to avoid this, so make sure you have the ability to walk out of the dealership at any time without having to ask for your keys.

Those of you who are in the market for a certified pre-owned vehicle would be wise to check the cars certification checklist. This will allow you to be sure that all components have been inspected and everything is in order allowing you to buy with a great deal of confidence.

One important thing to keep in mind is the overall average value of cars in your country. By knowing the general value, you can see if the car lot where you are shopping is overcharging or not. If you feel all their prices are too high, simply move on to the next one.

Read all the documents that are presented to you when you purchase a new car. They will usually have a large stack for you to sign. Don’t feel pressured into signing anything that you do not understand. If you do not understand something, ask about it before signing. Until you sign your name to all the paperwork, you can walk out of the dealership and not owe a dime.

A dealer with a great reputation may offer you a better deal than one which advertises great prices. You may find that a dealer who people like to buy from offers perks which aren’t available elsewhere, including reduced pressure sales tactics and lower overall price due to freebies thrown in to the sale.

Call in advance for specific makes and models. If you go there and they don’t have what you want, the salesperson will try to get you to buy a different car, even if it is not what you were looking for. You’ll just be wasting your time if they don’t have the car that you want. Always call first.

How the staff at a dealership treats you when you arrive and thereafter show a lot about how they work. If the same salesperson takes you from start to finish, you have a good lot. If they pass you off to a high pressure “closer,” you might want to head to another location.

Take the time to find the car that you want before heading to the dealership. Learn about the available options for that car. Furthermore, research to find out what other consumers are paying for that car with the options that you want. This way, you can better be prepared to get the dealer to sell you the car for what it’s worth.

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.

When searching for a good used car, look for cars that still have some of the original warranty remaining. This way you will have a little piece of mind if there are any problems after buying it. Usually a manufactures warranty will cover the car for three years or 36,000 miles.

When you want to buy a car, do your research online. You can find out about all the makes and models available on the car brand’s website. You can even find the dealer’s site and peruse the cars on the lot. Some dealers even offer specials through their site, so check those out too.

Ask the car dealer about the previous owner. The previous owner’s age alone can usually tell you a lot about how the vehicle would have been driven and cared for. For example, teenagers are notorious for not getting repairs when they are needed and usually have a small accident or two.

Did you know that the EPA levies a tax against cars which have a miles per gallon rating of less than 21.5? This could be as much as $7,700 per year for the worst offenders! Find out whether or not the car you buy will be taxed before you buy it.

Did you know that buying a hybrid car entitles you to a one-time tax deduction of $2,000? Find out if any of the cars you’re investigating are hybrids and how you can use the tax deduction yourself. Build it into your budget and enjoy the reward you get from thinking green!

As stated earlier, buying a car is not something that should be taken so lightly. This is a serious investment and there needs to be a lot of thought and care put into the process. The article here should have given you a good idea of what the best steps are to take before making a car purchase.