Buying a car can be tedious, miserable work. You have to find a car you like, then ensure you can afford it, and then deal with the salesperson! Make this situation less of a chore by reading this article and absorbing the great knowledge it has to offer you today.

Have a clear understanding of what those upgrades will cost you. Purchasing the fancy stereo, leather seats and DVD player might be appealing, but those options can add a significant amount to the price of your car. Take some time to think about how much you really need the upgrades, and only purchase the ones you will use the most.

Rather than buying a brand-new car, purchase a lightly used one that is only a couple of years old. Many cars come with transferable warranties that last for three years or 36,000 miles. You will save a significant amount over buying new, and the warranty will give you peace of mind for the first year or so.

Never leave your car with the dealership overnight. Many dealerships will offer you the opportunity to take the car that you are considering home in order to test drive it longer. While this is certainly appealing, it essentially means they are given the opportunity to hold the car you own hostage. This makes it more difficult to walk away from a bad deal, and it is not to your advantage.

Find out about the different warranties that are available. You do not want to spend a couple thousand dollars on a warranty that is not going to cover the repairs that commonly occur. Instead, shop outside of the dealership to find one that will cover the repairs at a better price.

Before signing any contract take the time to read every line, including the fine print. If there is anything listed that you do not understand, do not sign until you get an answer that you understand. Unsavory salesmen can use a contract to insert many fees that were not discussed.

Don’t overlook gas mileage when considering a new vehicle. A V8, with the power to tow your boat, may seem quite attractive. That said, if you only tow a boat once a year, you’ll be paying through the nose for gas unnecessarily the other 364 days.

Take a look at owner reviews before selecting the car you want to buy. These can be found online, at many different websites. Owner reviews give you a good idea about how much others enjoy the car, and if they would recommend it to friends and family. They offer a different perspective than professional reviews, and they are very informative for anyone who is car shopping.

Watch out for the car salesman who offers you a price on a car before he visits his sales manager. The salesman will tell you anything you want to hear, but only the manager can approve the deal. Ask to speak to the manager face to face and see the deal on paper before committing to purchase the car.

If you are looking for a car, you should take your buddy along to help you out. This friend can stop you from making mistakes like allowing your emotions to get involved. Also, they can point out the deficiencies of the car.

Even before you go to a dealership, have a certain number in your mind. Choose a number that takes into consideration the amount you are capable of spending, as well as the value of the vehicle itself.

Decide whether you want a used car or a new one. A new car has the obvious advantages, but used cars can be a pretty good deal as well. There are many certified used cars now that have been found to perform well, and cost substantially less than new cars do.

Don’t let the salesperson know you have a trade in until you have a firm sales price in hand. Some dealers will inflate the price if they think you’re trading in a car, so they can offer you a lot for the trade in, which is, then balanced by the new price they give on the car they’re selling.

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.

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.

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.

Not all dealerships and salespeople are identical. Although car salesmen are known for being bossy, this tactic is not as popular as it once was. If you are more careful with a buyer this time, they are likely to come back and buy again. If the salesperson is too aggressive, you should not hesitate to leave. Your business is up for grabs to any salesman in town, and they would all be delighted to work with you.

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.

Now that you have the knowledge from this article, you should be fully prepared to go out there and make that salesperson work for you. You’ll get a great price, find an amazing car and do it all in record time. You’ll wow friends and family who will want you to help them next time they need a car!