Are you looking for advice on shopping for a car? If so, then you have come to the right place. The goal of this guide is to make you into a master at shopping for a car. All you have to do is read the advice below and follow it!

Anytime you are thinking about purchasing a car, you first need to know the true value of the car. This can be done by searching online for the MRSP and comparing it with the offers you find in your area. Be sure to check at many different sites first of all.

Take a good look at the underside of the vehicle. Try to keep your eyes peeled for signs of rust and erosion. A car can look great on the outside, but be falling apart underneath. If you see rust under the vehicle move on. This could mean a lot of repairs later on.

Before you set foot into a dealership, do some research online. Check nearby dealership’s websites and record their listed price on the vehicle you want, as well as any special deals they might be offering. Having this information at your disposal will be a valuable asset when it comes time to negotiate with a salesman.

Arranging financing prior to actually shopping for a vehicle is a great idea. You can accomplish this with a trip to your bank or nearby credit union. They will offer you lower interest rates if you show up in person, plus you can use their offers to bargain with the dealership, too.

Research the value of your trade-in. Not only do you need to research the best price for the new car you would like to purchase, but you also need to know how much your trade-in is worth. Do your homework and find out the retail and wholesale values of your trade-in. Aim to get the retail value from the dealer.

Think about whether the fuel economy of your car will make it more or less affordable for you. As an example, you may want to buy a car with enough power to tow a boat behind it. However, when you think about how often you’d really use it to tow things, you may decide that you really don’t need that gas-guzzler.

Buy your car at month’s end. Many salesmen have to meet a quota at this time so they are much more likely to give you a better deal. As month’s end approaches, salespeople who have not yet met their quotas may be more amenable to giving you a better deal in order to increase their numbers.

No matter how far into the purchase you have gone, remember that you are not tied down into one-car dealership until you sign papers. Even if the salesman is very friendly, it is just business. If you find a better deal elsewhere, you have no obligation to purchase from your first dealer.

If you’re worried about your credit score, you can check your credit report before you go to the dealership. It’s free to check your credit report once a year, so take advantage of that. By knowing your credit before you go to the dealership, you’ll be able to determine if you’d be able to qualify for any low interest financing offers.

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.

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.

Have you read what you’re signing? Prior to putting your signature on a contract, carefully inspect the whole thing from beginning to end. Once you sign these things, you legally have an obligation to follow whatever the documents say. You can even ask to take the contract home to look over it some more. Check the purchase agreement with others who are knowledgeable if you are unsure of what to do.

If you are considering trading your car in when purchasing a car, you should take your car into a neutral place to get it appraised. You want to be sure that you are getting a fair value for your car when trading it in. Be sure to include an adjustment for what you will be saving regarding taxes.

If you see two price stickers on a car in a lot, you might want to head to a different location. This is a sign of a high pressure sales force who wants you to buy all the bells and whistles. If you think you can withstand their tactics, you can stay, but you may not get the best deal there.

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.

Never buy a car without test driving it first. That even includes brand new cars and trucks. Not only do you want to make sure the car is mechanically sound, you also want to see how the car fits you. Decide if the car “feels” right. Some cars are not designed for taller people, for instance.

Now that you know more on the subject of car shopping, you can put the advice into practice. Don’t allow yourself to go shopping for a car without first considering the advice you read. Who knows, you may just find the car you have always wanted now. Get out there and start car shopping!