Buying a brand new car can be quite the hassle if you don’t know what your doing. You may be tempted to buy the first car you like, but this is a mistake! Read through this article and learn some useful information for anyone in the market for a new vehicle.

Get your car loan online before you even walk into a dealership. Not having this information can cost you a lot of time and energy. If you already have a loan when you walk through the door, you will have a much faster transaction.

Make sure that you bring your automobile into the mechanic before you purchase it. If the owners won’t allow this, that should be considered a red flag. There may be extensive problems the owner is trying to hide. You need to know what you are getting into.

Bring along a friend. He or she can give you another perspective on a vehicle, and may be more willing to leave if you are not offered a good deal. This person could be a spouse, parent, or even a friend.

Before signing any contract take the time to read every line, including the fine print. If there is anything listed that you do not understand, do not sign until you get an answer that you understand. Unsavory salesmen can use a contract to insert many fees that were not discussed.

Once you have found the perfect car, ask for a vehicle history report. A vehicle history report will list any instances that the vehicle has been involved in. If your dealer does not offer this service, you can purchase one yourself online for a nominal fee. This report will help you avoid purchasing a car that has been in a wreck.

If you are trading your car in, take it to a detail shop and have the upholstery and carpets cleaned along with a wash and wax. Doing this one thing can usually net you several hundred dollars or more in trade-in value compared to a car that isn’t clean.

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.

You should only provide a social security number if you are seriously considering making a purchase from that dealership. Dealers will use it to check your credit report when you give it to them. Remember that each time you have your credit run hurts your score. First have an ironclad deal before giving your SS number.

Make sure that your dealer lets you take the car to your own mechanic. This should be someone you trust. Do not agree to use the mechanic provided by the dealership. A good mechanic can help you determine whether or not the vehicle is priced reasonably and free of defects.

If you’re worried about your credit score, you can check your credit report before you go to the dealership. It’s free to check your credit report once a year, so take advantage of that. By knowing your credit before you go to the dealership, you’ll be able to determine if you’d be able to qualify for any low interest financing offers.

When purchasing a car, be wary of the age and mileage warranty of the vehicle. In most cases, you are likely to hit the mileage first so make sure you understand exactly how long you are likely to be covered before making a decision on what vehicle you will purchase.

Don’t forget to research when purchasing used. You can even learn online about a car’s value. Find out the value of your car from the KBB or the NADA book. If this dealership is selling you a car for much more than these two sources state, go to another dealership.

Take fuel economy into account when calculating the cost of a vehicle. When you are determining your monthly car payments, figure out how much you’ll end up paying for gas each month based on the fuel economy of the car. A more expensive fuel-efficient car and a less-expensive gas guzzler may end up costing you the same amount out of pocket each month after you’ve figured in the amount you’ll spend on gas.

When you are looking for a used vehicle, you should avoid any cars with high mileage. People will tell you that they drove on the highway or that they drove responsibly, but you really don’t know. Even if you like the car, avoid buying it if the mileage is too high.

When looking at specific used cars, know about the blue book values. If you have to, leave and come back, having researched the resale value, life, and blue book value of the car you’re interested in purchasing. This will help guide you towards what you know that you should be paying.

Try to avoid overdressing when visiting a dealership. The more bling you have, the less likely a good interest rate is headed your way.

Talk with an insurance company and have them on standby for your purchase. You can’t drive an uninsured car off the lot and you do not want the insurance that the dealerships offer. Instead, when they propose their insurance, simply hand them your provider’s card and ask them to call.

Watch out for monthly payments that are too low. Getting distracted by a lower monthly payment is easy to do. There are salesmen who will definitely take full advantage of this and give you lower rates if you sign for a higher price tag. Before agreeing, read every detail of your contract.

As was stated in the beginning of this article, buying a new car can be quite the hassle if you don’t know what you are doing. Use the tips mentioned in the article above so that you end up with a car you can be proud of. Just make sure you take your time and you are sure to have a successful experience.