Car shopping is time consuming. There are many cars and items to look at. That is why you need to have reliable information on hand to help make this process a smoother one. Keep reading for some smart advice about shopping for a brand-new or new-to-you car.

Do not allow yourself to buy the first car that you see, even if it seems like it would be perfect for you. There are so many vehicles out there for sale that buying the first one may cause you to lose out on making a much better deal on a car you may like a bit more.

If you are going to be purchasing a used car, one of the top things you should be looking at is the mileage of the car. As nice as a car may be, if it has 150,000 miles on it already, you probably will not get much use out of it.

Do not wait until you go car shopping to think about how you are going to finance your car. You need to arrive at the dealership with your car loan pre-qualified at a decent interest rate. You are almost always going to be able to get a better deal than the dealership would provide for you.

When buying a used car, be very careful about how clean the car is. Many car salespeople have professional cleaners who can make a piece of junk look brand new. Always get the car checked by a mechanic. Even if it looks fantastic, a mechanic will be able to spot any major issues.

Be wary of any dealer who is not willing to give you an extended test drive. Asking for a full afternoon to test out the car is a perfectly reasonable request. If the dealer refuses and will not accommodate the request, you should take your business elsewhere. A car is a big purchase and a big commitment, a dealer should understand that and let you get completely comfortable with the car before purchasing.

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!

Do not rule a car out because it is lacking certain features you want. For instance, if you do not like the sound system of the car, it can always be changed. It is hard to find a car that has everything exactly the way you want it; just keep an open mind and remember that you can make these changes once the car is yours!

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.

Being a car dealer means trying to make quotas. Keep this in mind, and try to head out at the end of each month. Salesmen who have yet to make their expected number of sales will be eager to close another sale. This will let you have more control over price negotiations.

Try the Internet when looking for a used car. You often do not even need to set foot on a dealership’s lot. Sites like Craigslist, eBay and online classifieds make finding a vehicle easy. By using these sites, you can find the lowest price while protecting yourself from high-pressure salespeople.

Before you start researching what kind of car you should purchase, you need to look into your current situation. Don’t decide your budget based on the car, but decide the car you will purchase based on a realistic budget for you and your family. Doing so will save you financial headaches.

Wait until a new model isn’t so new, if you really want it. There’s no point in being the first person with the latest car, if you have to pay more for it. Usually, prices go down after the initial launch. So, if you can hold off your excitement for a few weeks or more, you may get a better deal.

If you know what kind of car, you want, and you know what dealership you want to go through, give them a call before you go. This way, the dealer can have the car ready for a test drive when you get there. It will save you and the dealer time that could be spent negotiating.

Make sure you know what you are signing. Later on, you may be hit with fees you weren’t expecting, but were spelled out in the contract. By the time you start signing papers you are ready to be out on the road, but take the time to read the paperwork that you are signing before you leave.

If you have a few cars in mind that you’d like to look at, be sure to check out the insurance cost first. People tend to forget about the cost of insurance until after they’ve made a purchase. This can lead to having a larger monthly bill than you expected, which may make the car too expensive for your price range.

Ask the car dealer about the previous owner. The previous owner’s age alone can usually tell you a lot about how the vehicle would have been driven and cared for. For example, teenagers are notorious for not getting repairs when they are needed and usually have a small accident or two.

When trading in your car for a new car, find out how much it is worth before going to the dealer. Usually the dealer will go way low on your trade. Do not fall for this trick. Have proof from NADA and Kelly Blue Book about how much your car is worth and do not accept less.

When shopping for a vehicle, it’s imperative that you think through your decision. The tips here are a great start. They should make buying a car a process you can enjoy.