Car shopping may seem like a fairly simple process. You will find that there are many more things to it than just that. The following helpful guide will teach you everything that is important to know. If you want to have the tools you need to get a great deal, you need to read what follows.

Never, ever skip the test drive when you are car shopping. You have to get behind the wheel of that car and see how it feels before committing to a buying it. Make sure you try a variety of driving conditions, including surface streets and interstate driving. Do not forget to try pulling it into a parking space in a shopping center.

Ask the car dealer to show you a vehicle history report. This can tell you if the vehicle has been in an accident or if it has been recalled. It can also show you what repairs have been done and when they were done so that you know exactly what you are buying.

Know what you want before you step foot in a dealership. You are going to be dealing with professional salespeople, so have your mind made up about what you are willing to pay, what you want and what you are not interested in. That will make it less likely for them to sway you.

When sitting at the bargaining table, take the time to negotiate the price of the car before talking about your trade-in. Doing this will help you get the best price on both vehicles. To do this effectively do not discuss trade-ins until after you have settled on a price of the new vehicle.

Research the value of your trade-in. Not only do you need to research the best price for the new car you would like to purchase, but you also need to know how much your trade-in is worth. Do your homework and find out the retail and wholesale values of your trade-in. Aim to get the retail value from the dealer.

If you are car shopping and want to test drive some different cars, make sure you bring your license and insurance card with you. Many dealers will want a photo copy of them before you drive. This is just to protect them in case someone steals or damages a car. If you do not have them with you, they might not let you test drive.

You should test drive the car you want with every feature you desire. For example, test driving a manual model when you want automatic won’t show you anything. If they don’t have the exact model on the lot, go to a lot which does for the test drive as you can always go back for the purchase, if you want to.

Stand firm on your down payment. Cars can be sold with no down payment; however, some money down will help the final cost. Be wary of sellers who ask you to increase your down payment. This extra money will typically only go into the pocket of the salesperson and dealership, and does not help your bottom line.

Don’t just scribble down your signature, read the fine print. Make sure that you go through every line of every contract before you sign on the dotted line. After you have signed, your legal responsibilities are set in stone. If you do not like what you see, read it over again. If they won’t let you take it with you, ask them for a copy.

Investigate cash rebates and discounts you are eligible for. Sometimes, there are discounts for veterans and students, for example. There are all kinds of discounts and rebates that are often run. Do a little research and find out if you qualify for any of the special deals that are available. That could save you some money on your car.

Understand that a lower payment does not mean the same as lowering the price of the car. It is pretty easy to get to almost any payment by reducing the interest rate and extending the terms of the loan. If you can qualify for a reduced interest rate at one price, you can certainly qualify at a lower overall price for the car. Extending your payment terms just obligates you to pay longer, and it does nothing to reduce how much you will actually end up paying out of pocket.

There is no hurry when you are buying a car. Dealers will always attempt to make you feel that you must make your purchase as soon as possible. Do not let this sway you. 90% of the time a “special promotion” will still be there when you are ready to make the purchase.

If you are shopping for a family car, test out the features that are important to a family. Try out your car seat in the car and make sure you can sit comfortably. Put the stroller in the trunk to make sure it fits. Moreover, check the ease of unlocking and opening the doors with your hands full of car seats, diaper bags, kids, etc.

Maintain flexibility when car shopping. Generally, you will find good vehicles made by big-name companies. Each of these have their own version of a compact. If you spend some time comparing prices and features, you should be able to get the best value for your dollar.

Beware low monthly payments that hide a higher total price. When attempting to find a monthly payment that suits your budget, it is not difficult to become distracted. Many car dealers will use this tactic of offering a low monthly payment in order to get away with a purchase price that is higher. Review the paperwork carefully prior to signing anything.

When you are looking for a car, don’t let the one you want get away from you. You should now know what you have to do to get the ideal car. Get started by doing some research on different kinds of car. Don’t drag it out any longer than is needed. You’re only moments away from the car of your dreams.