Shopping for a car takes a lot of effort. You may feel like you don’t know enough about cars to make a good decision, or you may be afraid of being ripped off. When you use what you’ve learned here, you’re sure to come out a winner.

Bring a friend on your shopping trip. They can help discern the situation, and they can fill in whichever gaps aren’t your strong points. Ask your significant other, a friend, or even one of your parents.

As family and friends for opinions. Do they enjoy their cars? Are they regretting their vehicle purchase? What are they hearing in terms of cars they’d wish to have? When you’re in the market for a car, this is a good way to get some preliminary information that you can start with.

Never buy any car without having a test drive. You may have already driven the same model and make, but you should drive the exact car you plan to buy to ensure its quality. There could be something slightly different about it, or a mechanical defect that you would never be aware of without driving it.

Try your luck online. There are millions of cars being sold online. Learn all you are able to about the makes and models available that you think you might like before you ever go to an actual physical car lot. By using the Internet, it is possible to come up with ratings, specifications, MPG, size, resale value and much more.

Test out specific makes and models by renting them. If you need to know what a car really feels like, go to a rental place so you can test drive it extensively. Hit the road and really test the car to see if it is right for your needs. This is a great way to get comfortable with a car before making the huge commitment of a purchase.

Be careful about giving up your personal information. Many dealers will ask for your social security number before negotiations even start. They will use this information to pull a credit report. If you decide not to purchase there, having your credit run by multiple dealerships can hurt your chances of getting the best deal. Only give your number to the company you want to finance your purchase.

While you may know exactly what you want, you may not be able to get it. Your wishlist of options and features might not match your budget, or the vehicles currently available just don’t match your desires. Not opting for frivolous features will not impair your driving experience.

When you start shopping, it can be helpful to invite an objective friend to accompany you. They will be able to help you avoid mistakes, such as making an emotional decision. They can even go on the test drive with you to point out issues they notice.

Have a set budget before you go to the car dealership. Your budget should include the total amount you will spend and the payment amount you can afford. By having this information along with the car’s market value, you will ensure a smooth buying experience.

Ask the dealer to let you have the vehicle inspected by the mechanic you have. Be sure you can trust the mechanic. Do not use a mechanic suggested by the dealer. Your mechanic will tell you what is wrong with the car, and whether the price is right.

Keep the trade in you’re doing to yourself. Only reveal this after the negotiation process is complete. Discussing a trade-in too early works against you, as the dealer may offer you a worse deal on the new vehicle in view of the condition of the trade-in.

Do not agree to as-is warranties when it comes to used cars. You will quickly regret it. At the very least a dealer should offer you a 30-90 day warranty when you purchase any car. It is important to get this in the event of an accident in the months following your purchase.

When shopping for a car, target the end of the month. Salespeople want to meet their monthly goals by making another sale that could put them in their desired count. Allow yourself several days time at the end of a month to negotiate a deal.

Try your best to get rid of unnecessary charges such as the advertising fee. You should never pay that fee. If your dealer will not remove it, walk away from the deal. This will force them to waive the fee in the end.

You need to be aware of any rebates the dealer is offering. Lots of car dealers offer on-site rebates in order to encourage fast decisions. Dealerships that aren’t that ethical may not even tell you about this rebate and take that cash without ever telling you about it.

If possible, buy a model with few mechanical issues and affordable spare pieces. You don’t need to pay a lot every month just to keep the car running. Research dependable cars by reading reviews of different car models from a reputable source.

Research is the most important thing you can do when purchasing a car. Don’t even go to the dealership without doing your homework. Learn about the models, makers, dealerships and financing options available to you.

Before you commit to purchasing a used car, have a mechanic check it out. This will reveal any mechanical or electrical problems that will affect your car. If the mechanic finds that it has major issues, you might want to look into another vehicle. If it has minor problems, you should have the price lowered accordingly.

By now, you should feel better prepared to shop for your next car. Get rid of the effort by following these easy tips. You will be glad you did.