Many people find shopping for and buying a car to be a stressful experience. Research is the key to understanding the entire car purchasing process. Going through the tips here is a great place to begin.

You should take the car-buying process very seriously. Many people are so happy about the prospect of buying a car that they do not think of the seriousness of the task. Buying a car is a serious financial investment, and you should do all you can to remain businesslike.

If you are in the market for a used car, a great way to tell if the speedometer is correct is to look at the gas and brake pedals. If someone says the car has 30,000 miles on it, and the brake and gas pedals are worn, it is a good indication the odometer was turned back.

Don’t pay the sticker price on a car. The sticker price isn’t set in stone. If you don’t know how to negotiate, bring a good negotiator along. You should be sure that you know what a fair price for the vehicle is beforehand so you know what you are willing to pay.

Do not be turned off from a car because it is used. Most people would like nothing more than to buy a brand new, shiny car. But, is this really feasible for your financial situation? Many used cars are perfectly fine and will not break your back nearly as much as a new car will.

Be flexible. While you should head to the car dealership with a good idea of what you are looking for, it can pay to have a little wiggle room. Try to have several makes or models that fit your needs, and you can choose the best deal when you find out what is available at your particular dealer

Due diligence should be exercised when planning your car budget. It is imperative that you take a full and realistic look at your budget. Not only must you consider a car payment, you must also consider insurance, gas and maintenance for the vehicle. There is nothing worse than having a vehicle that you cannot afford to drive.

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.

Watch out for dealership advertising fees. These are often tacked on to new car purchases, and you should not have to pay them. Car dealerships have to advertise as part of doing business, and many shoppers who challenge this fee will win. If your salesman will not remove this fee, ask to speak with a manager.

If you are shopping for used cars, do not sign an “as-is” warranty. It can be a very bad choice. You need to aim for at least a two or three month warranty with your purchase. If you have issues a month after the car is yours, you have to fix them.

Shopping for a car at the end of the month is ideal. Salesmen are all about the monthly quota, and your sale might just get them there. Come in a few days before the month ends so you can negotiate over time if you need to.

If you have flexibility, try to wait for a promotion with low interest. If you are really patient, you may even be able to find zero interest periods. This will make the total price you pay for your car be significantly less than you planed to pay. Keep an eye out for local dealerships running this.

Contact a dealership by phone before visiting to make sure they have the car you want. This can help to save you valuable time at the dealership. If they do not have the car you want, they can often get it within a few days from another dealership. Ask them to do so, and ask that they call you when the car is in stock.

Conduct research before heading to the dealership. Research different types of vehicle to find the best one for your needs. You’ll get approximate prices, and features which are either standard or extra. You’ll save time and money if you know all you can before going shopping.

When buying a new car, you should do a lot of studying. Before ever stepping foot on a dealership lot, you should do some research first. Figure out the specs of any car you’re thinking of getting. Think about the brand, the dealer itself, and anything else you need in a car first.

Make sure to check a car’s history before you buy it. This is particularly important if you are buying used. Make sure there were no serious accidents or structural damage. If there were, the car might be dangerous to own and have a very low resale value. Checking is easy on many online sites.

When negotiating terms of a car note, think about your budget seriously. Don’t max out your budget with a car payment or settle for what you can afford. Undershoot the payment, so you can pay more each month, saving yourself on interest and paying the car off much faster.

Talk to your insurance company before visiting the dealership. Find out how much it would cost to insure the type of vehicles you are planning on looking for. It’s important to factor insurance costs into your car-buying budget because your insurance can skyrocket when you buy a brand-new vehicle if you aren’t careful.

If you see unspecified fees on the total of the car, be sure to ask for details. Many dealerships try to sneak in things like advertising fees, which can often be challenged. If you feel you are being unfairly charged, don’t think twice about walking away from the deal.

Many people feel that it’s intimidating to purchase a vehicle. The truth is, if you prepare before setting out onto car lots, you can have an enjoyable experience. What you’ve learned here should give you great confidence.