If you are thinking about shopping for a car, there is a lot you’ve got to know. There are a lot of car salesmen out there waiting to do their best to sell you their cars, but they may not be the right care for you. Take a look at these car shopping tips to get a better idea of what you must think about.

Establish a budget before you go car shopping so you have a great idea of what is in your price range. Try your best to stay within your budget. If you must go over, the amount that you go over should not be so significant that it puts you in a financial bind.

Before you go out and look at cars, line up your financing. Talk to either a bank or a credit union about it. You may even get a lower interest rate and you will know what you can afford.

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.

Take an extended test drive. Don’t just take it for a quick spin through the neighborhood by yourself. Instead, enlist everyone who will be regularly riding in the car to share their opinions. Ask the dealer for a full afternoon test drive so that you have the chance to take it on the freeway to check things like the pickup and the blind spots, and spend some time really feeling the comfort of the interior.

Due diligence should be exercised when planning your car budget. It is imperative that you take a full and realistic look at your budget. Not only must you consider a car payment, you must also consider insurance, gas and maintenance for the vehicle. There is nothing worse than having a vehicle that you cannot afford to drive.

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.

Buying a new car is an exciting, but challenging, experience. You can comparison shop online in order to save yourself both money and time. There are many sites that allow you to comparison shop across a variety of makes and models. Doing so reduces viable options, saving you money and time.

Is there a specific feature you really want? Is it, heated seats or a sunroof? Before you even approach the lot, find out which cars in your price range actually offer this feature. This will reduce the time spent on the lot looking at cars you don’t want as the feature isn’t available.

Never agree to pay the asking price! There are few cars for sale out there that do not have some room for negotiation in the price. When you have researched the vehicle, inspected it and given it your approval, negotiate the final price based off your findings. Do not settle on a price until you are happy with your investment.

Research through the web and magazines for information when buying a car used. The Internet is replete with useful resources about a car’s value. The NADA or the Kelly Blue Book can help you determine the value. If the car is priced higher than these sources have them priced, go somewhere else.

Don’t sign any as-is warranty for a used car. This is a decision that you will regret. There should at least be a warranty for 30-90 days when purchasing a used car. It is important to get this in the event of an accident in the months following your purchase.

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.

Never give your trade-in’s keys to the dealer before you’ve come to an agreement. The dealer could take your keys (and thus, your car) hostage and manipulate you into an unfair deal. Always hold on to your keys and if the dealer wants to take a look inside the car, open it up for them while you hold the keys.

It can really work out for you to buy your car later in the month. Dealers have to meet their quotas for the month. These deals can save you a lot of money on your purchase. You can get a better price this way.

You can buy a car online, skipping the dealership and allowing you to avoid high-pressure sales tactics. This is even possible for new cars on some lots, so do your research and find the car you want. Obviously, you won’t get to take a test drive if you never go to the lot, though.

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.

Buying a car is something that you should take your time with. They cost a lot of money and you need them to do a lot of things for you. That’s why you should use the tips laid out here to help you figure out which is the best car for you.