Buying a car is not something that you should take lightly. Car shopping can be about picking out a car that you like, of course, but keep in mind that the car you choose has to protect your family in the case of an accident, and has to be able to get you where you need to go. Here are some wise suggestions to consider when car shopping.

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.

Prior to even stepping foot in a dealership, you need to know what kind of car you want. If you have kids, maybe you should be looking for a van or large SUV. If it is just you, maybe you want something more sportier. Either way, knowing what you want will make the whole process of shopping for a car easier.

Do not allow anyone to intimidate you into making a purchase that may not be the right one for you. Do not fall for lines like “This will be gone if you try to buy it later.” These types of statements are usually made to sway you into make a purchase right away.

Never buy any car without having a test drive. Even if you once had the same exact vehicle, you have to be sure that this one works just as well. There could always be something which makes you hate driving the car.

Wait until you have a deal on the vehicle of your choice prior to discussing trade-ins, incentives or down payments. These different things should be deducted from the final price. Also, you will typically end up with a better overall price if you negotiate the deal from the onset.

If the price of a car is non-negotiable, see if you can negotiate on other terms. Some dealerships will agree to provide several months’ worth of free gasoline or a year of free oil changes, for instance. It never hurts to ask if a salesman can sweeten the deal.

Work on your credit score before you buy a car. A bad credit score means higher interest fees. That will result in a higher monthly car bill. And in some cases, that will result in higher premiums for car insurance. Get your credit in order so you aren’t locked into high fees for the life of your car loan.

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.

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.

Don’t hand over the keys to your trade in until the deal is signed. If they have your car “hostage,” they can use it to pressure you to buy the new car. Wait until the deal is done to ensure you keep control of the situation at all times during the transaction.

Don’t just scribble down your signature, read the fine print. Prior to signing your name to paperwork, you must always read things thoroughly. There is no turning back once you sign on the dotted line. If you don’t feel like reading the contract where you are, see if you can take it to your place to read over it more carefully. If you can’t, get yourself a copy to study.

Always do your research when buying a used car. There are many online sources that will inform you of what a certain car is worth. Utilize NADA or Kelly Blue Book in order to figure out the value of a car. If your dealer is offering prices higher than the blue book value, you should go to a different 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.

Research the laws in your state when it comes to purchasing a bad car. There are some states that have lemon laws. They will protect you from buying a car that isn’t in great condition and not being able to get a refund. Not every state has these laws, which is why it is important for you to do your research.

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.

Wait until the month’s end to shop for your car if you can. There are quotas each staff member must meet. Go car shopping during the last week of the month, take a couple of days to negotiate and you will get a good deal.

Your car is a big part of your life. You need a vehicle that can help you to get around, keep you safe, look good, and save you money. The choice you make will be with you for a long time, so it is important that you do what you can to make sure your choice is a good one. Use the tips here and you will be sure to make the best choice for you.