When you are trying to get an honest deal when buying a vehicle, you can often be fooled into the worst deal ever. It takes knowledge of the buying process and the techniques of the salesmen in order to get the deal you need. Don’t let them fool you! Take advantage of these helpful tips!

Before you start shopping for a new car, decide on what you need.

What is your budget? How many passengers will be in the car? What type of fuel economy are you interested in? Do you want a car with two or four doors? Make a list of everything you want, and take that list along so you can remember everything.

Do not allow yourself to buy the first car that you see, even if it seems like it would be perfect for you. There are so many vehicles out there for sale that buying the first one may cause you to lose out on making a much better deal on a car you may like a bit more.

Don’t let a salesperson talk you into buying a vehicle you can’t afford. People are often pressured into a beautiful, but expensive car by a good salesman. Remember that the goal of any salesperson is to make the highest commission, so they will benefit from selling a pricier car.

Never, ever skip the test drive when you are car shopping.

You have to get behind the wheel of that car and see how it feels before committing to a buying it. Make sure you try a variety of driving conditions, including surface streets and interstate driving. Do not forget to try pulling it into a parking space in a shopping center.

Get your car loan online before you even walk into a dealership. The length of time it takes to buy a car often hinges on whether they have to find financing for you or not. If you walk in with a loan already, the entire process will be quicker.

Do not allow anyone to intimidate you into making a purchase that may not be the right one for you. Do not fall for lines like “This will be gone if you try to buy it later.” These types of statements are usually made to sway you into make a purchase right away.

Don’t forget to calculate ownership costs when selecting a new vehicle.

That bargain priced SUV might not be such a good deal if it means you will be spending twice the amount you used to on gasoline to drive it. The same goes for sporty racing style cars or models favored by car thieves that both can come with increased insurance rates.

Have a friend or family member that sells cars come along with you as you search for a new car. Car salesmen can be very aggressive, but if they know that you are with a fellow salesman you will have an easier time getting the deal that you want and deserve.

Use the Internet to shop. Almost every make and model is available online. Before you step into a car dealership, learn as much as you are able to about the cars that you are interested in. You can look on the Internet for information like MPG, specifications, resell value, size and ratings.

If you are looking to purchase a used car, it is of the utmost importance that you get a copy of the vehicle maintenance and repair history. This will allow you to see what has been done to the car, and if it has been in any serious accidents.

You are a female shopping for a car, never agree to work with a salesman who treats you in a condescending way.

Some salesmen will try to take advantage of female shoppers and offer them unfair prices or financing terms. This is not what your car-buying experience should be like. If it is, visit a different dealership.

While purchasing a used car often is a great deal, don’t forget that it carries some real risk. While you may be happy with the $5,000, you saved, if you need to buy a new engine in 6 months, you really haven’t saved anything. Always be cautious when buying used.

If you start to feel uncomfortable or pressured by a salesman, just walk away. He may beg you to stay; leave anyway. Give any excuse you’d like, but don’t stay another minute. Take your business elsewhere. There are many other options available to you out there. It’s simply not worth being hassled.

Do you feel better about negotiating a deal on a car now? You should! Take the tips you’ve read with you, and learn more as you go along so that you won’t suffer the grasp of the salesman. It’s time you found the deal that is right for you and your family.