Have you visited a car dealership in order to buy a new or used car and just wound up confused and agitated? You may have just needed the right piece of advice to help you navigate the process. This article helps make car purchases a snap.

Go to different dealerships before settling on one. A different dealership might be able to get you a better price on the car you want, and may be running different promotions. Try three or four in your area, and even if you have to travel a bit farther, it may be worth it.

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.

When buying a used car, a great way to tell if the car has been in an accident is to look into the door frames. Usually when a car is repainted, you will notice over spray in this area. This is not proof that a car was in an accident, but it will let you know it was repainted.

Ask to have the car looked at by your personal mechanic before you purchase it from a dealer. If the dealer vetoes this, veto them. An adequate mechanic can make an impartial opinion on any problems in the vehicle like signs of flood water submersion or car wreckage.

Think ahead when you are planning on making a car purchase. Do not make the mistake of buying a car without thinking about whether it would be practical for future use. Buying a sports car will not make much sense if you are planning to have a family anytime in the near future.

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.

Have a budget in mind before you go car shopping. This involves assessing your monthly income and bills, and having a clear understanding of how much you can really afford to add to those. Doing this will help you to stay in budget when you make your new car purchase.

Shop for a car towards the end of a month. Most salespeople have some monthly quotas to meet and they might try generating more sales during the last week of the month to meet their quotas. You might find a salesman is more willing to cut you a better deal if he is in the last week of the month and is still short of his quota.

Never settle for the price that’s set for the car when you’re shopping for one. You must be a great negotiator and try to knock a little off the price. Every car dealership knows that they’re going to have to negotiate anyway, so they make the car seem like it costs more than they’d settle for.

Although some sites suggested not test driving a vehicle because of the emotional attachment that can happen, it is never a good idea to purchase something without trying it out. Take at least a fifteen minute long test drive to really get a feel for how the car handles and how comfortable the car truly is.

If you are thinking about buying a car that is still under warranty. You need to make sure that whatever is left of the vehicle warranty is in writing. You don’t want to purchase a car only to find out that the warranty has been void, leaving you paying extra for nothing.

Stand firm on your down payment. Cars can be sold with no down payment; however, some money down will help the final cost. Be wary of sellers who ask you to increase your down payment. This extra money will typically only go into the pocket of the salesperson and dealership, and does not help your bottom line.

If you are extremely interested in a vehicle, spend time thoroughly checking it over. Look for any scratches or dented areas around the car’s exterior. Check the interior area for upholstery tears and carpet stains. You are stuck with this car once you buy it. This includes all the stains, rips, dents and scratches.

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.

Wait a bit before purchasing the newest model. You will pay a lot more to buy one shortly after it was released than you would at any other time. After a few months or even a year, the hype will subside and you can get a much better deal.

When you want a car with certain features, you may have to special order it, but you may not be able to if the car comes from overseas. That said, the dealer may be able to call other lots to find the exact model you want and have it brought over for you, so ask for that option.

When a salesman makes a show of asking their manager to approve an offer, it’s safe to say that they won’t return with the best possible number the first time. Counter that second offer, and when the salesperson returns a second time from his manager, he will have the lowest offer for you. They want to finish the deal quickly, so the price they offer at that point should be their lowest.

When you head out to buy your next new car, keep these tips in mind. Utilize this article as a guide in order to assist you in your car shopping. Read this article again if you need to.

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