So you’re in the market for a new car? Do you know what to look for when purchasing a car? This article details how to buy a car the right way.

If you are in the market for a used car, you should always get a CarFax report. The CarFax report will let you know if the car has been in an accident. If the car has been in an accident, you probably want to keep searching and not buy that car.

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.

Know your limits. Before you start shopping for your next car or truck, decide how much you can afford to pay, and stick to it. Don’t forget to include interest in your calculations. You can expect to pay around 20 percent as a down payment as well, so be prepared.

Don’t overlook gas mileage when considering a new vehicle. As an example, you may want to buy a car with enough power to tow a boat behind it. Think about when you would actually use this and then factor in all that extra gas.

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.

Be careful about who you give your precious social security number to. Dealers run your credit as soon as they are able to. Having multiple dealerships check your credit will have a negative effect on your score. Do not give out your SSN and other personal information until you are seriously considering purchasing a vehicle.

Take your time when buying a new car and do your homework. Do not be afraid to get up and walk away from a deal. Don’t fall in love with a specific car. If the numbers the dealer is giving you are not what you want, just walk away.

Ask the dealer if you can have a mechanic go over the vehicle you would like to buy. The mechanic should be trustworthy. Never use the mechanic the dealer suggests. The mechanic should tell you whether it can be driven and if it’s a good enough deal for the price.

Find out how much it will cost to insure a specific vehicle before you purchase it. Insurers charge a lot more to insure sports cars than other vehicles. Even the color of the car can influence the insurance cost. To guarantee that you are not surprised once you have already paid for the car you must do your research.

Keep comfort in mind when purchasing a car. So many people focus on the way the car looks and what features it has rather than paying attention to the comfort. Are the seats comfy? Can the seat be adjusted to fit your body? Take these things into consideration before getting a car.

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!

If you don’t have friends or family in your area to ask for advice from, check the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out how the dealers in your area are dealing with customers. This will allow you to at least remove those with many complaints from your list of options.

How the staff at a dealership treats you when you arrive and thereafter show a lot about how they work. If the same salesperson takes you from start to finish, you have a good lot. If they pass you off to a high pressure “closer,” you might want to head to another location.

Salespeople simply want to maximize their profit. It may be obvious, but a good salesperson may hide this fact. Watch out for the add-ons and extras that might get attached to the purchase price. Even a sweet deal of a car can rise up in price fast.

The end of a month is usually the best time to go car shopping. The sales staff must meet their quotas, and selling just one additional car might make the difference for them. Come in a few days before the month ends so you can negotiate over time if you need to.

Consider what you are using the car for before buying it. If you are driving the most on freeways, choose a hybrid or other high-mileage option. By knowing where you’ll be driving the most, you can get a car that fits exactly in with your driving.

Pick out a car that is known for having repairs that are easy and don’t cost you an arm and a leg. The last thing you want is a car that is going to need hundreds of dollars in repairs every few months in order to keep running. You need to look on the Internet to find out if other owners are happy with the car.

When purchasing a new car, there are some things you need to know. The tips from this article can help you find the car of your dreams at a great price. Good luck as you search for a dependable vehicle.