The process of purchasing a car is something that strikes fear in the hearts of many. The fact is, however, that by spending the necessary time to research the process ahead of time, car buying does not have to be so daunting. Read the article that follows, and you should have the information you need to make the best choice for you and your family.

Always bring a mechanic along when shopping for a new vehicle. Car dealers are notorious for selling lemons and you do not want to be their next victim. If you can not get a mechanic to look at cars with you, at least be sure that you have him look at your final choice before you buy it.

Never buy a car on your first purchase to the showroom. Every car dealer will try to get you to walk out with a new set of keys in hand. While this may be tempting, understand that this is a big purchase. Take your time shopping around and make sure that the deal you’re being offered is really the best one for you.

Research your chosen dealership prior to offering to buy a car. Your negotiation can be maximized by being aware of the dealer’s financing options and trade-in practices. Also, learning about their customer reviews can help you avoid getting ripped off.

If you are in the market for a used car, a great way to tell if the speedometer is correct is to look at the gas and brake pedals. If someone says the car has 30,000 miles on it, and the brake and gas pedals are worn, it is a good indication the odometer was turned back.

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.

Never discuss down payment amounts, trade-ins or incentive offers until a price point has been firmly determined. Smaller things like down payments, and incentives are items that should be subtracted from the bottom line. You can get the best price this way.

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.

Know your credit score before you enter the showroom. Your credit score will help to determine your financing rate, and knowing it helps you to understand how much you will have to pay for your car. The best financing rates are often reserved for those with the best credit score. Knowing yours can help you to be realistic about your chances of getting the very best deals.

Figure out how much you can afford on a car payment before you get there. If you wait, your eyes will be big, and you will be willing to pay anything to get what you want. Start out with a firm figure and do not allow yourself to be moved by anything the salesman says.

No matter how far into the purchase you have gone, remember that you are not tied down into one-car dealership until you sign papers. Even if the salesman is very friendly, it is just business. If you find a better deal elsewhere, you have no obligation to purchase from your first dealer.

You are a female shopping for a car, never agree to work with a salesman who treats you in a condescending way. Some salesmen will try to take advantage of female shoppers and offer them unfair prices or financing terms. This is not what your car-buying experience should be like. If it is, visit a different dealership.

Always be leery of any used car dealers on the side of the road. These dealers almost always have a less than reputable reputation. The cars they sell could have flood damage, need major repairs, and are sold without warranty. Once you drive that car off the lot, any problems the car has are now your problem.

Sit down and write a list of what you want in a vehicle. There should be a separation between things you need and things you want. If you find a car that meets all of your needs, you should not hesitate because it does not have every single thing that you want.

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.

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.

Contact a dealership by phone before visiting to make sure they have the car you want. This can help to save you valuable time at the dealership. If they do not have the car you want, they can often get it within a few days from another dealership. Ask them to do so, and ask that they call you when the car is in stock.

Car shopping is not always an enjoyable experience, given the multitude of factors that must influence the final decision. Education and information are critical tools when it comes to making the right selection. Heed the tips and guidance found above, and you can have a car shopping experience that is not only stress-free, but that results in the perfect choice being made.