Want to buy a new car without the struggle typical of the purchasing process? You’re not alone! This article has been written with you in mind, including advice from people who have purchased cars before without any struggle at all. Continue reading to find out how you can buy your car in a fun and easy manner.

When you are going to buy a car, you need to know ahead of time which features are essential for you in the car. Have a clear picture of what you want, so you can search for the right price as well as the right car for your needs.

Research dealerships before making an offer. You should know about their trade-in policies and finance options. Additionally, read customer reviews to see how satisfied others have been with the car.

Take an extended test drive. Don’t just take it for a quick spin through the neighborhood by yourself. Instead, enlist everyone who will be regularly riding in the car to share their opinions. Ask the dealer for a full afternoon test drive so that you have the chance to take it on the freeway to check things like the pickup and the blind spots, and spend some time really feeling the comfort of the interior.

Never disclose the trade-in, what you have down, or what you want until you have a price ironed out. Then you can consider incentives, trade ins and down payments. You will end up with a better price if you negotiate the deal first, then discuss these “extras”.

A great tip for those looking to buy a used car would be to research what the resale value of the car is. Look at the Kelly Blue Book value and compare it to the condition that the vehicle is currently in to see whether or not the price is fair.

If you are shopping for a new car, you might want to leave your kids at home. They might have a good time going on a test drive or two, but they will usually end up being bored. This will make it difficult to focus on the task at hand and could possibly end up costing you money.

Bring a spare set of keys with you to the dealership. When they ask for the keys to your trade in, give them the spare. Some dealerships will use your car keys to hold you hostage if a deal is not made. You want to avoid this, so make sure you have the ability to walk out of the dealership at any time without having to ask for your keys.

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.

While you do have to put in some effort to make the car buying process simpler, it won’t take a lot of work. Just use these tips and do what they say and you’ll find buying a car is a piece of cake. Driving off the lot in a shiny new car is an exceptional feeling!