Many people think that looking for, and shopping for, a car is a very annoying task. The new car will be fun, but only after a lengthy learning process. If you use the following tips, the whole process of finding a car will be fun instead of difficult.

When negotiating, overall price should be more important than monthly price. The dealer can set the monthly payments at any amount, but this will extend your terms, resulting in a very high purchase price. Negotiate the best price total you can for the car. Once you have done that, determine what the monthly payments will be.

Before you get a used car somewhere, look it over by using a third-party mechanic. If they say no, leave. Your mechanic might be able to tell you if the car is any good or not.

When buying a vehicle from a private seller, make sure a mechanic does an inspection first. When the seller says no, move on. This could mean you have to pay for problems that aren’t evident at the time. Make sure that you understand this before making a purchase.

Full Price

Don’t pay full price! Dealers do not expect to receive full price anyhow. If you are not good at negotiating bring someone with you that is. You can determine the most you’re willing to pay by researching the value of the cars you are interested in ahead of time.

If you feel like you can be talked into things easily, make sure someone goes to the dealerships with you. Bring along a friend or relative to help you negotiate prices and ask important questions. Discuss your needs and the limits of your budget with your adviser before you visit a car lot.

If you are in the market for a new car, you should call your bank before shopping and make sure you can get a loan. This is for your own good. Often times a dealership will get you a better offer than your bank, however it’s always good to have a backup plan.

Once you have an offer you like, bring up incentives, trade-ins or down payments. Smaller things like down payments, and incentives are items that should be subtracted from the bottom line. Negotiating first can get you a better price, and then you can discuss these little “extras.”

Renting cars is a great way to do your own test drives. If you really want to know how a car handles, rent it from a rental car agency and test drive it for a while. Go on a road trip or something so the car can be tested to see if it works with what you need it to work with. You can decide if you like the car on the highway and when driving long distances.

Plan on going car shopping during the last week of the month. At most dealerships, the salesmen are trying to reach a certain quota for the amount of cars they have sold. With only a few days left in the month, your salesperson might be one sale short of meeting his or her monthly quota. When this happens, you are more likely to get a good deal.

Don’t give any dealer a social security number. A lot of dealerships will ask you for this information so that they can run your credit. Having your credit checked for no reason can hurt you when it comes to getting financing. You should work out a deal before you give out personal info.

When you shop for a car, try taking a friend with you that does not wish to purchase a car. They will stop you from making an emotional based decision. They will also be able to tell you if the car has any issues that you didn’t notice.

Request that the dealer allow you to have the car inspected by a mechanic. The mechanic you use should be trustworthy. Don’t use a dealer mechanic. Your mechanic should tell you both whether the car runs well and whether it’s priced appropriately.

Don’t forget to research when purchasing used. You can even learn online about a car’s value. You can find out what a vehicle is worth by using the NADA or the Kelly Blue Book. If the dealer tries to get more than what those sources say, walk away.

When you feel like you have been intimidated or bullied, make your exit. If they attempt to make you stay, leave. Make up an excuse if necessary. Get out of there quickly! There are too many available options to stay somewhere that makes you feel hassled and uncomfortable.

When it comes to car buying, people are faced with tough decisions. You need to know about cars to make intelligent decisions about which vehicle to buy. This information should be kept at hand when you go to make your purchase.