Shopping for cars is generally a stressful experience. It does not have to be, though. With a little knowledge and determination, your car shopping experience can be devoid of stress. Use the tips that follow to make your car shopping experience one that you enjoy, with a shiny new car to show for it.

Take another person car shopping with you. Since they aren’t the one making the final decision, they may be able to help you steer clear of a deal that isn’t the greatest for you. This person can be a friend, relative or spouse.

Talk to friends and family about what they have heard. What are their recommendations? Do they feel they paid a fair price? Have they heard of any other vehicles that might be better? When you are looking for a new vehicle, keeping your ear to the ground is a great way to do some starting research in your hunt.

You should drive the car you want to buy. It doesn’t matter if you have driven an identical vehicle. You should still ensure that this car is operating well. There could always be an issue with that specific car, and you will never know unless you drive it.

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.

Set a spending limit before shopping for your new car. It is easy to get swayed by pushy salesmen or a nice leather interior, but it is important that you stay within your budget. You may like the cause of spending extra, but you will not like it when it comes time to pay for it.

If you are trying to determine your trade-in value for your current vehicle, be sure to take it to a few dealers. By going to a few different dealers, you’ll be able to get a rough estimate of how much your car is actually worth. This will allow you to turn down low ball offers that someone may make for your car.

Read all the documents that are presented to you when you purchase a new car. They will usually have a large stack for you to sign. Don’t feel pressured into signing anything that you do not understand. If you do not understand something, ask about it before signing. Until you sign your name to all the paperwork, you can walk out of the dealership and not owe a dime.

While you may want to buy a car today, buying off the lot may mean that they don’t have a car with the features you desire. You can always ask them to call affiliated dealerships to see if they have the car on the lot, but don’t sound desperate or they’ll raise the price.

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.

A dealer with a great reputation may offer you a better deal than one which advertises great prices. You may find that a dealer who people like to buy from offers perks which aren’t available elsewhere, including reduced pressure sales tactics and lower overall price due to freebies thrown in to the sale.

Consider skipping the dealership entirely. An auto broker will work with multiple dealerships to find you the best deal on the car you want. You can usually find these online, and the dealerships will pay the fees for their use. This is a good way to comparison shop without having to visit multiple dealerships.

Research the laws in your state when it comes to purchasing a bad car. There are some states that have lemon laws. They will protect you from buying a car that isn’t in great condition and not being able to get a refund. Not every state has these laws, which is why it is important for you to do your research.

When purchasing a car, you don’t want to tie yourself down to one specific model. Give yourself some flexibility in color and even in the car itself. If you do this, you will be able to pick up a great deal, even if it was not the first car you considered.

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.

Ask people you know about where they bought their vehicle and their experience. You can learn a lot from other people’s experience, which can save you a lot of time and money. Do not be shy about it. People usually enjoy sharing their experiences with others, whether they be good or bad.

Think about what you will be using the car for. If you will be doing interstate driving, you need better mileage, for example. When you determine how your new car will be used, you’ll be able to choose one that fits your driving needs.

Your first offer should be at or very close to the invoice price of the vehicle. This likely be rejected, but will start the negotiation process in your favor. At some point, the salesperson will likely step out to speak to a manager. When they return, if the price is within your price range, accept. If not, continue negotiations. If you have not reached an agreement within 2 or 3 tries, it may be time to cut your losses and try another dealer.

You can shop for cars without going through tons of stress. While car shopping is something that many view as stressful, with some general tips, you can be driving off in your new car in no time at all. Use these tips to help you make your car shopping experience enjoyable.