Confused By Car Shopping? Help Is Here!

By Ivan Carney

Visiting a car dealership to purchase a vehicle is both exciting as well as intimidating for many. Spending a few hours to research your options protects you and your loved ones from making unwise decisions. Check out these no-nonsense tips for ideas and inspiration that will enable you to make a responsible choice.

Don't let a salesperson talk you into buying a vehicle you can't afford. A lot of current sports car owners were smoothly talked into one by a salesman who convinced them that they would look great driving it. Salesmen earn money on commission, and some salesmen put their own financial gain before your best interests.

You should never pay a car's sticker price. No sane dealer believes he or she will get full sticker price. If negotiating is not your strong suit, take a skilled negotiator with you. You should be sure that you know what a fair price for the vehicle with turbo kits is beforehand so you know what you are willing to pay.

Bring someone along on your car shopping day. This person can act as another set of ears, and they might be more reasonable about walking away from a deal if it isn't in your best interest to accept it. You can take your significant other with you, your mom or dad, or a friend.

Figure out your budget and then go to see the dealer -- in that order. When shopping, do not go above the maximum amount you can pay, no matter what the dealer tells you. They are not going to be stuck with the car payments for the next several years.

Look for safety features when you are purchasing a new car. Anti-lock braking systems, or ABS, are a top priority. The more air bags the car has, the better. You're going to be spending lots of time inside this vehicle, so be sure that it is safe.

If you are insecure about your ability to avoid sales pitches by high-pressure salesmen, do not go car shopping alone. It could be a friend or a family member, as long as whoever you take has some knowledge of the process and isn't a "pushover." Inform this person of your budget and what you need prior to entering the dealership.

If you already have a pretty expensive car, do not drive that to the car dealership to make a purchase. Once they see what you are driving, they will be less likely to make any deals with you.

Look at your budget before you start shopping. You must know exactly what your maximum is. Find out how much you're able to spend on car payments monthly. Try to find your loan before finding a car.

Before you buy anything, have a conversation with an insurance agent. They can give you an estimated cost for coverage. While it may seem realistic to keep up on car payments, the added cost of insurance might put you over budget. Take into account both the sticker price of the car and the insurance rate when you are determining the actual cost of the car.

For lots of people, buying a car is exciting but also quite stressful. But if you take the time to do some research, you can actually find the process enjoyable and wind up with the most suitable vehicle for your situation. You can have the best experience possible by applying what you've learned here.

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If you have car problems, we have basic car repair guides and articles at Tyler Mackrell.