If you are in the market for a car, it can seem like a daunting task. After all, there are so many cars out there and choosing one can be challenging. A car is a major investment, and you’ve got able to make a good choice. Here are some smart tips to keep in mind when you are car shopping.

Go to different dealerships before settling on one. A different dealership might be able to get you a better price on the car you want, and may be running different promotions. Try three or four in your area, and even if you have to travel a bit farther, it may be worth it.

Never leave your car with the dealership overnight. Many dealerships will offer you the opportunity to take the car that you are considering home in order to test drive it longer. While this is certainly appealing, it essentially means they are given the opportunity to hold the car you own hostage. This makes it more difficult to walk away from a bad deal, and it is not to your advantage.

Don’t buy a car online from someone without going and checking it out first. If you are not mechanically inclined, bring someone that is. Also be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. People will take advantage of you if you’re not good with cars, so try to bring along someone that knows about them.

You can test out a few different vehicles by renting them. 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 trip in that car with your family to decide if it fits you well. This can help you familiarize yourself with a vehicle prior to paying lots of money for it.

Demand a safety report and vehicle history report from the dealer. Any good car dealer will have these items available for any vehicle on the lot. This is information that will tell you how safe the vehicle is as well as any major accidents or work that has been needed on the car.

Don’t fold to pressure. The salesman doesn’t want you to walk out of his dealership, so he will tell you whatever it takes to get you to sign a contract at that moment. Ignore him. Do what is best for you, and if you need to have some time to think about it, take the time you need.

Research the laws in your state when it comes to purchasing a bad car. There are some states that have lemon laws. They will protect you from buying a car that isn’t in great condition and not being able to get a refund. Not every state has these laws, which is why it is important for you to do your research.

To make your negotiations go smoothly when purchasing a new car have a minimum of a twenty percent down payment saved. By having a down payment, you will be able to lower your interest rate and payments and have leverage when discussing your trade in options. You may find that you will net more savings by not trading a car in and selling it on your own.

Do not allow yourself to be intimidated or bullied into making a purchase. Walk out and do not return. If they attempt to encourage you to change your mind, leave anyway. Tell an untruth if necessary. Just get out! Many more options await you, so staying there isn’t going to do you any good.

Do not try negotiating unless you see the car that you want is available. He might tell you that he can get it in for you, but you do not know if it will be the exact one you want. You do not want to waste your time negotiating for a car that you do not really want.

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.

When you buy a car, you will be handed a lengthy contract. Learn what it all means before you set foot on the lot. You can find information about each element on the contract online, that way you’ll know what is being offered to you and what is being asked of you as a buyer.

Break down all of your different negotiating points based on the different profit centers that the dealer has. This means you should be negotiating on price, warranties, interest rates, trade-in value and anything else that is up for negotiation. Taking this approach will get you the best overall value for the car you choose to purchase.

Decide on at least three different models that you like and shop for each one to net you the best deal. This will allow you to negotiate three deals and then choose the one that fits you best. Although this will take time, you can rest assured that you will get the best deal possible.

Do not always assume that used cars are the way to go if you want a deal. Sometimes dealerships and manufacturers offer incentives on new cars that make them the best deal, especially if you are buying last year’s model. In addition, banks will often finance at a lower interest rate if the car is new.

Car shopping is something that you should not rush with. Take your time and look at all the options available to you. That is a great way to make sure that you can get the car that you want, at the price you want. If you keep the tips in this article in mind, it will be a much easier process for you.