Have you ever gone to a dealership to buy a car and felt like you were just totally not being treated fairly? Pretty much everyone has been in that situation, and there is no need to settle for this. Keep reading to find out more about how you can better take control in finding the deal for you.

What do you want out of your new car? How much money are you willing to spend? How many people need to fit into the car? What gas mileage are you looking for? Do you want a sedan or minivan? Jot down all the things you want, and take the list along so you are not likely to forget any.

Rather than buying a brand-new car, purchase a lightly used one that is only a couple of years old. Many cars come with transferable warranties that last for three years or 36,000 miles. You will save a significant amount over buying new, and the warranty will give you peace of mind for the first year or so.

Have a few certain models in mind before you head out to a car dealer. Do your homework to find the best car for your needs. Do your research to find out how much you ought to be paying for a potential car.

Make it a policy to always pay less than the sticker price. Sticker price is an over-inflated amount they don’t think anyone will pay. Bring a haggler with you if it’s not your forte. You must know what the fair market value of the vehicle you want is before you set foot in the dealership.

Shopping for a new car can seem complicated when it comes to pricing. Take your iPad or phone with you to the dealer. You can search the Internet and find car payment calculators that will let you know what your payment is going to be without having to rely on the dealer.

When you are considering buying a used car, always have your mechanic check it out first. You are not a qualified mechanic trained to spot problems or repairs, so you need to take it to a professional. Be prepared to pay $100 or so for this service, but it may end up saving you thousands.

Before you even walk out the door to go to the different dealerships to search for an automobile to purchase, do your homework. If you have a specific car make and model that you are considering buying, do some background research. Have there been numerous recalls for this vehicle. What do current and former owners of this make and model say about their automobile?

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.

Talk to your bank or credit union before you head out to the dealership when you are in the market for a car. Find out how much of a loan you are eligible for. This way, you will know how much you can afford to spend, and you will know what kind of car to look for.

It is a good idea to do plenty of research on cars before you ever go to a dealership. The more you know about a particular model, the better you can judge whether it is right for you. There are many online resources that let you compare different brands and models.

Many people who have bad credit end up at a buy-here pay-here dealership. Be very careful of these types of dealers. Usually they buy cars at auction for little money and the majority of the money they make is off of the high interest rates they charge. If you have any choice, always get a loan from a bank, not the dealership.

Speak with the car dealer about his return policy. You may even want to get the policy in writing. Even if you have test driven the car and everything seems fine, you never know what could happen later that day or week. It’s important that you know what the dealer’s policy is on returning it in case something should happen.

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.

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.

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.

A certified used vehicle does not guarantee that the vehicle is in good condition. This is just a new way for car dealers to trick people into thinking that they are guaranteed a high quality used vehicle. Do not fall for it. Research certified vehicles just as you would any other to fully protect yourself.

You should now not ever feel like you’re walking into a bad deal when at a dealership. You know plenty more information now that will cause red flags if you hear something that isn’t right. Utilize the advice you’ve read, and get started finding the right automobile and the right terms for you.