While new cars are a lot of fun, everyone is not enthused about the buying process. Research is the key to understanding the entire car purchasing process. Going through the tips here is a great place to begin.

When you are buying a car, you are wasting your money if you don’t talk down the sticker price. In fact, you should never purchase a car for the listed price. Dealerships inflate prices to give room for negotiations and to give you the impression you are getting a good deal even though they only give you a small discount.

Make sure that you have your loan in place beforehand. The reason a car takes so long to get is because they need to look at your credit while securing a lender for you. If you have pre-qualified for a loan, this process will be much faster.

The Internet is a goldmine of promotions and special deals. Looking online can help you save thousands of dollars. When you see the car you want, either go to the dealership selling the car or have your own dealer get the car for you. If you can get to the dealership, make the drive to save the most money.

You should be ready with financing before going to look for a car. You can go to a bank in order to secure the funds. Doing this often nets you interest rates better than dealers would give, and you also get to shop knowing what your budget is for a new vehicle.

Before you get a used car somewhere, look it over by using a third-party mechanic. If the seller or dealer declines, take your business elsewhere. You need a mechanic to give you an objective opinion about the car’s condition and check for damages, submersion in water or other problems some dealers try to hide.

Make sure you test-drive any car before purchasing. Do not skip the test drive, even if you have already taken another car of the same model for one. This is the best way to find out about mechanical problems and get an idea of how the car handles.

Think about both fuel economy, and how much money you have to spend, when you are out looking at cars. You may feel the need to buy a V-8 that can tow things. This can help you to maximize on the features that you are presented with.

If you feel like you can be talked into things easily, make sure someone goes to the dealerships with you. Take someone you trust to help facilitate negotiations and ask key questions. Tell them exactly what you’re looking to buy and how much you have to spend before you go.

Don’t roll up to the dealership in an expensive car. Doing so causes the dealer to think you have a lot of money.

Test out specific makes and models by renting them. If you really desire to get a good feel for your potential vehicle, an extended rental is the way to go. Use the car to take your family on a road trip so you can determine if that particular model will be a good fit for your family. This is an effective way to get acquainted with that type of car before you make the commitment to purchase.

It’s hard to argue with the fact that car shopping can be intimidating. However, spending time preparing prior to going to a dealership can make it a fun experience. What you’ve learned here should give you great confidence.