Cars come in many varieties. There are new cars, used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. Buying just one of these kinds of vehicles warrants good decision making, as the car is a life long investment. You can make wiser purchasing decisions by reading this article, as it contains advice that can be applied to car shopping.

There are several things that you should have in mind before going car shopping. Do you know what you can afford? How many people do you have to have fit inside your car? What mileage are you looking for? Do you want two or more doors? Make some notes about the things you really want the car to have, and take the list along.

Have a clear understanding of what those upgrades will cost you. Purchasing the fancy stereo, leather seats and DVD player might be appealing, but those options can add a significant amount to the price of your car. Take some time to think about how much you really need the upgrades, and only purchase the ones you will use the most.

Set up financing for your vehicle prior to visiting the dealership. In order to do this, go to your local credit union or bank. This will generally help you get the lowest possible interest rate, and you will go into the car buying process with your eyes wide open with respect to your budget.

Check out the maker’s site if you want to customize your car. While the cars on the dealership lot may be the kind of car, you want, a number of car manufacturers give you the opportunity to customize the car a bit with color and features. You may have to wait a few weeks more to get your car, but it might be worth it.

Before signing any contract take the time to read every line, including the fine print. If there is anything listed that you do not understand, do not sign until you get an answer that you understand. Unsavory salesmen can use a contract to insert many fees that were not discussed.

As you shop for your car, think about fuel economy. It may look like it’s great to get a V-8 that can tow, for example. However, you should think about how much you will truly use that extra power.

Research trade-in prices before turning over your older vehicle. If you are planning on trading in your current vehicle to go towards the purchase price of your new one, be armed with the proper value ahead of time. Checking prices online or using the Kelley Blue Book. Just make sure you are checking the wholesale price, not retail.

Look online for incentives on the car you want. Many automotive manufacturers offer cash back or special financing on their vehicles. The dealership will not always tell you about these things up front. Take some time to educate yourself first so you can get the best deal once you are in the showroom.

Don’t fold to pressure. The salesman doesn’t want you to walk out of his dealership, so he will tell you whatever it takes to get you to sign a contract at that moment. Ignore him. Do what is best for you, and if you need to have some time to think about it, take the time you need.

Most of us are looking for the best possible deal when shopping for our next vehicle. One way you can get a great deal is by utilizing the time of the month to your advantage. At the first of each month, auto dealerships must pay for each of the cars they have on their showroom floor. So, at the end of each month, these dealers are more apt to negotiate so they can get rid of some of these vehicles. If you shop during the last week of the month, you can get the best deals!

Find out all you can about rebates. You can either get a cash rebate, low loan interest rate or the dealer themselves gets the rebate in cash. It is the manufacturer who offers these rebates, not the dealership. This will only be available on cars available on the lot, of course.

While purchasing a used car often is a great deal, don’t forget that it carries some real risk. While you may be happy with the $5,000, you saved, if you need to buy a new engine in 6 months, you really haven’t saved anything. Always be cautious when buying used.

Avoid the warranty options offered by car dealers on used cars. They are almost always overpriced and usually do not cover the more expensive repairs that you would want to have done Instead, purchase your warranty separately from a trusted warranty company that you find on your own. If you do not know of any, ask a friend or family member for advice.

Make sure you know what you are signing. Later on, you may be hit with fees you weren’t expecting, but were spelled out in the contract. By the time you start signing papers you are ready to be out on the road, but take the time to read the paperwork that you are signing before you leave.

Do not allow a dealer to pressure you into making an immediate purchase. The truth is that there may be a similar car in another car lot that is has a better price. Let the dealer know you are interested, but make it clear that you want to consider other dealers before making a final purchase.

To ensure that you get fair value for your trade-in, do your research. This gives you a better idea of what sort of offer you should be getting.

Remember, many kinds of cars exist, and you have to think carefully before you buy any type of car. The car you choose should last you for many years, therefore you have to make the right choice about the kind of car you want to buy. Keep the featured car shopping advice in mind and you’ll get the car you need.