There are those that have great car skills and know everything about them. Everyone else, well, they’re not exactly as astute and need some help when shopping for the right car. If the second group is where you fall, you will find help here.

Secure your financing online prior to setting foot in a dealership. This will remove the financing hassle from the process. If you have a loan when walking in, it will make the process quicker.

Prior to setting food on a car lot, figure out your financing. Start with your local bank for options. This yields better rates, and a more educated purchase.

Prior to getting a used vehicle from a dealership, be sure to ask a third party mechanic to look at it. If a dealer refuses, shop somewhere else. 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.

Bring along a friend. They can serve as a disinterested observer and can help you walk away if you are not getting a fair deal. This person can be a friend, relative or spouse.

Figure out your budget and then go to see the dealer — in that order. If you are shopping for a car, never exceed your budget. Do not let the salesperson talk you into purchasing an expensive car if you are going to spend the next years struggling to make your payments.

If you already drive a nice vehicle, avoid taking that car to the dealership with you. Once salespeople see your expensive vehicle, they will not accept any of your offers and try raising prices because they will assume you can afford to spend more on a vehicle.

Get the price settled before looking into additional incentives or trade-ins. These options should be subtracted from the lowest negotiated price. Negotiating first can get you a better price, and then you can discuss these little “extras.”

Look into auto shows to help you decide what type of car you’d like. They have all different makes and models together in one building. You can also gain insights from folks who know cars well. After spending time at the car show, you will have a clearer picture of what it is that you want.

Prior to shopping for any car, review your budgetary needs carefully. You need to know what you can, and what you can’t, buy. Find out how much you’re able to spend on car payments monthly. If you do not have the money, look into different types of loans.

Ask the dealer if you can have a mechanic go over the vehicle you would like to buy. You should pick one that is trustworthy. Stay away from the dealer’s mechanic. A good mechanic can help you determine whether or not the vehicle is priced reasonably and free of defects.

Search online for great used car deals. You really don’t have to go to a dealership anymore. You should check sites such as eBay or Craigslist. This is a good way to save money and stay away from the salespeople you will find in dealerships.

Do not buy a used car without doing some research. It is possible to utilize certain websites to find out the value of a vehicle. The Blue Book or other sources can be useful for determining a car’s value. If the car is priced higher than these sources have them priced, go somewhere else.

Service Department

Learn about the service departments of dealerships you are planning on visiting. Visit the service department and talk to some of their current customers. Test the customer service department by calling and asking them questions you already know the answers to. Stick with a dealer that has educated staff on hand.

Be sure that you find out information about all rebates before you go. Lots of car dealerships provide a rebate on their site in order to convince you to make a fast sale. In some cases, a dealer may not even make you aware of the rebate. After you have purchased the vehicle, the dealer might keep the rebate instead of passing the savings along to you.

You do not have to be scared any longer. You have the information you need to make smart choices when it comes to car buying. You can get a great deal on a fantastic automobile. Go car shopping with confidence!