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.

Before going to a dealership, know what kind of vehicle you want. Do research online before you shop to find out what type of vehicle is best suited for your family and budget. Additionally, have an idea of what kind of price you want to pay.

Prior to getting a used vehicle from a dealership, be sure to ask a third party mechanic to look at it. If the dealer does not cooperate, go to another dealer. You need a mechanic to give you an objective opinion about the car’s condition and check for damages, submersion in water or other problems some dealers try to hide.

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.

If you aren’t concerned about getting the absolutely latest model, consider car shopping in November or December. During this time frame, dealerships will offer deals on the current models. They want to clear out their inventory to make way for shipments of the next year’s models. This means that you will be offered more incentives, lower sticker prices, and more room to negotiate!

When heading to a car dealership, get prepared for your bargaining side to come out. While there many be some dealers who have your best interest at heart, most just want to get as much money out of you as they can. This is why you have to be strict and never settle on a deal you are uncomfortable with.

Make sure that when you are car shopping that you know what you’re looking for first. Call around to some of the dealerships and see if they have something you’d be interested in. You may also be able to find their website and check out the vehicles before spending time going up there.

Make sure to take your time. Even if you are really excited about buying a car, don’t run out and buy it on the same day. Make sure that you have taken the time to do research on safety, repairs and other factors before doing something you might end up regretting.

Try renting cars to get a better feel for the vehicle. Renting a car from a local rental agency is a great way to get a personal feel for a specific car over a test drive of a day or more. Go on a long road trip to see how the car stands up to the abuse. This way, you’ll either rule out the car or be comfortable buying it.

Bring a spare set of keys with you to the dealership. When they ask for the keys to your trade in, give them the spare. Some dealerships will use your car keys to hold you hostage if a deal is not made. You want to avoid this, so make sure you have the ability to walk out of the dealership at any time without having to ask for your keys.

Never settle for the price that’s set for the car when you’re shopping for one. You must be a great negotiator and try to knock a little off the price. Every car dealership knows that they’re going to have to negotiate anyway, so they make the car seem like it costs more than they’d settle for.

Do not give out your SS number haphazardly. Dealers run your credit as soon as they are able to. If you do not purchase a vehicle at this dealership, then your chances of obtaining the best deal at another dealership can be damaged because the credit run will be shown. Do not give out your SSN and other personal information until you are seriously considering purchasing a vehicle.

Find out about dealers before choosing one. Start by asking your trusted friends, family, and neighbors about their positive and negative experiences with car dealers in the area. Furthermore, look up the dealers online at the Better Business Bureau website. Watch for any red flags about misleading or unfair business practices.

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.

Read all the paperwork before signing. Read the contract before you sign it. Once you’ve signed a contract, you’re legally bound to honor it. If reading this contract while at the dealership is uncomfortable for you, then ask if you can take it home with you so that you can look over it during any time that is convenient for you. If your salesman does not want to let you take the contract home, there is more than likely some hidden clause they do not want you to find out about.

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.

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.