Most folks think that car buying is not a lot of fun. Buying a new car can be exciting, but it is important that you educate and prepare yourself before you walk into a dealership. You should go over this article for some useful tips on car shopping that can make the process fun.

When you are buying a car, you are wasting your money if you don’t talk down the sticker price. A person should never end up paying the sticker price. Dealers pump these prices up so they can come down.

You want to make sure you’ve secured an automobile loan before going into the dealership. Much of the delay that arises during car shopping results from the credit checks and financing hassles that take place. If you have pre-qualified for a loan, this process will be much faster.

Do some online window shopping ahead of time. Don’t visit a dealership until you have a good idea of what you want in a vehicle, such as size, brand, and pricing. Make sure that you do your homework to get the best possible deal.

Arrange car financing prior to buying a car. This can be done at either your credit union or bank. You will more than likely get a lower interest rate than what the dealership would offer and have a better idea of how much money you can spend on your new car.

Set a budget for your new car before you head to the dealership. You should never purchase a vehicle if you cannot really afford it. Keep in mind that you will be having to pay off your car, not the dealer.

When you look for a car, check out the ones that offer you a lot of good features in the safety category. Never purchase a vehicle that does not have an anti-lock brake system, or ABS. Air bags are also important. When you think about how much time you and your family will spend in the car, it’s easy to see why safety features are so important.

Rent a car to give it a test. This will help you get a good idea of what it is like to drive. Try going on a type of road trip with your loved ones to see if it works for you. This is a great way to get comfortable with a car before making the huge commitment of a purchase.

You might not get the exact car you desire. Maybe the cars in your range don’t offer the features you want, or the cars available on the lots in your area just don’t cover your desires. The absence of heated seats will not detract from your driving experience.

Ask if you can have the car looked over by your mechanic. The mechanic you’re cool with should be fairly trustworthy. You should not use one that the dealer employs. The mechanic should tell you whether it can be driven and if it’s a good enough deal for the price.

Be sure to inspect carefully any car you are interested in buying. View the paint and look for damage. Look inside for carpet stains or damaged upholstery. Keep in mind that after you make the deal, the car belongs to you. Ownership extends to any damage, stains or blemishes in or on the vehicle.

All dealers and salespeople are not created equally. Although car salesmen are known for being bossy, this tactic is not as popular as it once was. Forward-thinking dealerships now realize that customer satisfaction is the best way to build lifelong relationships with car buyers. If your salesperson is pushy, just leave. There’s lots of nice salespeople out there that can help you.

The job of a dealer is to maximize their profits. Although this should be obvious, you can easily forget when talking to a charismatic salesman. Always be aware of any add-ons and extras, which will be added to the bottom line of the car. These extras can increase the overall sales price by thousands.

When it comes to car buying, people are faced with tough decisions. Informing yourself is the key step in getting a good car deal. This information should be kept at hand when you go to make your purchase.