When you buy a car, do you just go to a lot and pray? That isn’t much of a strategy, is it? Instead, give yourself the power to get what you deserve by reading this article and taking in the expert advice provided, allowing you to take over the negotiation process.

Before going to a dealership, know what kind of vehicle you want. Read up online ahead of time to make an informed decision. You can also get a good idea of the expected price range of your desired car, so you won’t be caught unawares by a slick salesperson.

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.

Get recommendations from family and friends with regard to their vehicles. How do they like the cars they own? Do they regret buying the one they have? What kind of information have they heard with regard to various cars that are available? Talking with friends and acquaintances is a thing to do when shopping for a new car.

Do not pay for lots of extras when you are buying a car. Sure, it would be nice to have a lot of fun features in your new car, but do you really need them? Every toy or gadget you add jacks up the price of the car considerably. Figure out what you really need, and just stick to that.

Get the cost on the car in stone before you discuss trade-ins, or any other monetary exchanges. Smaller things like down payments, and incentives are items that should be subtracted from the bottom line. You will end up with a better price if you negotiate the deal first, then discuss these “extras”.

Once you have found the perfect car, ask for a vehicle history report. A vehicle history report will list any instances that the vehicle has been involved in. If your dealer does not offer this service, you can purchase one yourself online for a nominal fee. This report will help you avoid purchasing a car that has been in a wreck.

While you may want to buy a car today, buying off the lot may mean that they don’t have a car with the features you desire. You can always ask them to call affiliated dealerships to see if they have the car on the lot, but don’t sound desperate or they’ll raise the price.

Take your time when shopping for a car. It can be very tempting to purchase the first car you see because it looks nice or it has nice seating. However, there may be a car out there that is even better for you. Shop around and make comparisons before making a purchase.

If you see two price stickers on a car in a lot, you might want to head to a different location. This is a sign of a high pressure sales force who wants you to buy all the bells and whistles. If you think you can withstand their tactics, you can stay, but you may not get the best deal there.

If you’re buying a used vehicle, you need to make sure you get a record of any accidents it may have had with previous owners. Just because a car looks good doesn’t mean that it’s in tip-top shape. The dealerships have a nasty habit of making things look better than they really are.

While the dealership that you buy your vehicle through will offer financing, check into your options. Get a loan quote from your bank or a credit union. Oftentimes, they will offer better rates than the dealership. This will allow you to bring those quote to the dealership’s financial officer and negotiate a lower rate.

Before you make your final selection of a car, talk to your insurance agent. Some types of vehicles can cause your insurance to go up significantly. This increase in monthly insurance premiums might leave less in your budget to afford the car of your dreams. By having a clear understanding of the total cost to own the car, you can make an educated decision.

If you currently have a car that you want to sell, consider options other than trade ins. If you have a high-demand car, you may be able to sell it on the side and receive a much higher down payment than you would if you simply traded your car in.

Check your credit score before you head to the dealership to make a car purchase. Even if you are doing well financially at this time, you may not be able to afford the high finance charges that are associated with less than stellar credit. It would be difficult to go to a dealer, fall in love with a car and then fond out you cannot afford the finance charges.

Be wary of financing if you plan to get another car soon. If you want to get a car without putting any money down, and plan to get a new car in a year or two, you’re setting yourself up to carry balances from car to car. You’ll end up paying more than the car is worth.

Do you know which rebates are offered? Many dealers offer rebates at the lot to offer some incentive toward a quick sale. Dishonest dealerships may not even discuss a rebate. As a result, they’ll take your car back and you won’t even know.

There are many options other than going to a dealership to buy a car. For example, auto brokers or buyers’ agents are available to help you through the process. This lets you sit back and have them do the work, while it will cost you a bit extra for the service.

When you know what you want and how to get it, you can’t do anything but achieve your goals. This article has provided you the ability to do just that. It’s up to you to use what you’ve learned here to buy the best car, but I know that you can do it!