Have you decided that it’s time to get a new or used car? Are you not sure what you can do to make shopping for one less stressful? You are in the right place if so. Here you’ll go over a few of the things you need to think of when you go car shopping, so read along.

Do not let the car dealer talk you into buying a car that is not within your budget. Frequently, people are talked into purchasing a sports car when the salesperson tells them how good they look in it. Remember that the salesperson is trying to make a fair commission, so selling expensive vehicles can help them.

Ask the car dealer to show you a vehicle history report. This can tell you if the vehicle has been in an accident or if it has been recalled. It can also show you what repairs have been done and when they were done so that you know exactly what you are buying.

Learn about the true market value of the car before making an offer. Oftentimes, dealers will have the car marked up a certain percent over the value so they have some wiggle room. If you know the market value, you can better haggle with them about the price you will pay out the door.

Do not allow anyone to intimidate you into making a purchase that may not be the right one for you. Do not fall for lines like “This will be gone if you try to buy it later.” These types of statements are usually made to sway you into make a purchase right away.

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.

When buying a new car, check out reviews of the vehicle on the internet before going to the dealer. If people have had bad experiences with the car you are thinking of buying, you might want to choose a different one. Most new car loans are for 6 years and you do not want to have problems with the car in that time frame.

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.

Never take a car at face value. Though you may not be a mechanic, it is a good idea to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle. An important part of the inspection is a test drive. This allows you to feel the car on the road, listen for any wayward noises and possible spot issues with performance.

Once you know how much you have to spend, find out about the cars within that range. Learn about the car itself, its miles per gallon, number of doors, trunk space, driver’s reviews, safety record and how frequently it needs repairs on average. Assign each a rating and go for those at the top of the list.

Check your budget prior to embarking on an expedition to purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle. You must understand exactly how much you can afford. Determine the amount of money you can realistically spend every month on your car payment. You need to secure a loan before shopping for cars.

When you are out buying a car, take someone with you who does not care whether you buy a car or not. Your friend can advise you if you’re acting irrationally. Ask this person to point out any possible problems or disadvantages that they identify during a test drive.

Tell the dealer that you want a mechanic to take a look at a prospective car. You should pick one that is trustworthy. Never use the mechanic the dealer suggests. This person can give you a good idea of where the car stands.

Keep comfort in mind when purchasing a car. So many people focus on the way the car looks and what features it has rather than paying attention to the comfort. Are the seats comfy? Can the seat be adjusted to fit your body? Take these things into consideration before getting a car.

When purchasing a car, be wary of the age and mileage warranty of the vehicle. In most cases, you are likely to hit the mileage first so make sure you understand exactly how long you are likely to be covered before making a decision on what vehicle you will purchase.

Read before you sign. Prior to putting your signature on a contract, carefully inspect the whole thing from beginning to end. After you have signed, your legal responsibilities are set in stone. If you don’t feel okay doing all this reading at the dealership, inquire about the possibility of taking the document home so that you have time. If they won’t let you, make a copy of it that you can take with you.

How economic your car is with gas is important. Highly efficient models may be more expensive initially, but they may provide big long-term savings at the gas pump. Think about budgeting in the long term, rather than what you want to spend.

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.

This guide should have helped you learn all that there is to know about car shopping. It doesn’t have to be that a difficult task if you know exactly what you’re doing. Take the advice and you’ll be able to take most of the stress out of shopping for a car.