Many people find car shopping the most dreaded activity they must do. New cars are fun only after you get them home. By following this information, you will make the best decision possible.

Car shopping will take many hours. You don’t want to feel like you’re rushed when trying to get comfortable about a deal. Take the whole afternoon. If you are pressed for time, you should leave and return the following day.

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.

When you are looking for a car, be sure to look at the safety features that are the most important. You must make sure you have ABS or antilock brakes. You should also get as many airbags as possible. You are sure to spend lots of time driving, and therefore safety should be a top priority.

Do not pay for lots of extras when you are buying a car. Sure, it would be nice to have a lot of fun features in your new car, but do you really need them? Every toy or gadget you add jacks up the price of the car considerably. Figure out what you really need, and just stick to that.

Research is the key to being a happy car owner. With a budget in mind and a list of cars you want, you can begin to delve into which vehicle is right for you. You should be aware of any negative reports on the vehicles you have in mind. Know its safety ratings and value to help you negotiate a good price.

Have a friend or family member that sells cars come along with you as you search for a new car. Car salesmen can be very aggressive, but if they know that you are with a fellow salesman you will have an easier time getting the deal that you want and deserve.

When negotiating a deal on your new car, have online information in hand. There are many sites that will provide you with things like invoice pricing and incentives, and this information can prove valuable as you negotiate your price. Print it out and bring it to the car dealership, so there is no question about the accuracy of what you are saying.

Try planning car shopping trips near the end of a month. Salesmen at most dealerships try to reach a quota for the month, and will want to sell as many cars as they can. If you’re shopping near month’s end, you may find some fantastic deals. If the dealer has to make his or her numbers, you might be able to sneak out of there with a superb deal.

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.

It is a good idea to do plenty of research on cars before you ever go to a dealership. The more you know about a particular model, the better you can judge whether it is right for you. There are many online resources that let you compare different brands and models.

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.

Find out all you can about rebates. You can either get a cash rebate, low loan interest rate or the dealer themselves gets the rebate in cash. It is the manufacturer who offers these rebates, not the dealership. This will only be available on cars available on the lot, of course.

Watch out for dealership advertising fees. These are often tacked on to new car purchases, and you should not have to pay them. Car dealerships have to advertise as part of doing business, and many shoppers who challenge this fee will win. If your salesman will not remove this fee, ask to speak with a manager.

Ask the salesperson tough, detailed questions about the car. Make a list before you go based on internet research so that you know the answers. If they get any wrong, you know you’re dealing with an inexperienced, knowledge lacking sales force, which shows a low-quality dealership is in place.

Go online and check prices of cars locally and in cities nearby. People from different zip codes may have prices that are different, and it could be cheaper to go to a city that’s nearby. Researching prices online can help you figure out where to get the lowest price.

Wait a bit before purchasing the newest model. Otherwise you will pay a very high price for the car. In a few months the hype will have died down, and you can find one at a much better price.

When you are looking for a used vehicle, you should avoid any cars with high mileage. People will tell you that they drove on the highway or that they drove responsibly, but you really don’t know. Even if you like the car, avoid buying it if the mileage is too high.

Getting into a new or used car is something that causes quite a bit of stress. The truth is that you must be armed with knowledge so that you can make the best decision when you get to the car dealership. Use the information shared in this article and you’ll be ready to purchase your next new vehicle.