Car shopping may be on the horizon for you, but you might want to run the other way. Many people are scared by the process, but that doesn’t have to include you. This article has a great number of tips and tricks which will make your car shopping time pleasurable.

Shop around before you even go to the dealership. If you spend some time on local dealer’s websites, you can learn about incentives that are offered. If you know what one dealership is offering, you can use it as a negotiating point and may be able to get a better deal.

You should have a good idea of the kind of vehicle you want before going to a dealership. Check online to determine which kind of vehicle is most suitable for you and your finances. Once you know what kind of car you want, do some research on its price and do not let salespeople make you offers that do not correspond to the average price.

Consider selling your car privately, rather than trading it in for the new car you want. You will almost always get more for your car through a private sale than you would through a trade in. Even if the dealership makes it sound like they are giving you a great trade in value, they will likely raise the price somewhere else to make up for the difference.

Never take a car at face value. Though you may not be a mechanic, it is a good idea to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle. An important part of the inspection is a test drive. This allows you to feel the car on the road, listen for any wayward noises and possible spot issues with performance.

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.

Many people who have bad credit end up at a buy-here pay-here dealership. Be very careful of these types of dealers. Usually they buy cars at auction for little money and the majority of the money they make is off of the high interest rates they charge. If you have any choice, always get a loan from a bank, not the dealership.

Check for dealer incentives. You might want to call ahead to a few different dealerships to find out which promotions; they are running that may benefit you. Do that before going out to a million different spots. Just use the phone and ask them personally, and you may be able to save more on your car.

Sort through car prices online as well as your surrounding area. The price of a vehicle may vary from one zip code to the next, so you should be willing to drive further to get a good deal. If you look up prices online you might find a great deal close by.

A certified used vehicle does not guarantee that the vehicle is in good condition. This is just a new way for car dealers to trick people into thinking that they are guaranteed a high quality used vehicle. Do not fall for it. Research certified vehicles just as you would any other to fully protect yourself.

Look for an advertising fee included in the price of your car, and if you find one, have it removed. Why should you pay for their ads? If necessary, threaten to walk on the deal unless it is removed. They are sure to reconsider their refusal.

Look for potential rebates before looking for a car. Many dealers offer rebates at the lot to offer some incentive toward a quick sale. Dealers that are more shady will not offer you the rebate, but rather, keep the cash back for themselves without your knowledge.

Be responsible when buying a used car. Even if all the statistics on the brand and model you are buying are excellent, you do not know how the car was maintained. Get a qualified mechanic to check it for you. They can spot major issues that you need to avoid before purchase.

Like most things, vehicles also carry hidden costs. Different cars have different fuel costs, resale values and insurance policy prices. See how much gas you are likely to use on a regular basis, whether you need special types of oil, and research the cost of routine part replacements. All the things that are hidden in buying a car can make or break your decision to get that vehicle.

Make sure you inform yourself not only on the car industry, but also the specifics of the car dealer industry. They have some tricks they use to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. Be sure to keep an eye out for things like unneeded warranties, or insurance straight from the dealership.

Consider skipping the dealership completely and go with an auto broker. An auto broker usually works with several dealerships and acts as an intermediary to get you the best deal on the car you are looking for. They work on commission, however it can still save you time and money in the long run. Be aware though that a few states have banned auto brokers.

When shopping for a new car, keep in mind what are your needs. Seeing many new cars can be distracting for a shopping, and you don’t want to walk away with something that isn’t practical. Even though the new sports car may look and drive nicely, it wouldn’t be practical to be used as a family car.

These simple tips and tricks truly change the tide in your favor. They give you the knowledge you need to make car shopping smooth sailing. As long as you put them to use, you’ll find that you not only enjoy buying a car today, but that you never struggle with it in the future either.