Does car shopping make your head spin? With some carefully chosen words of wisdom, however, you may find that the process isn’t so difficult to survive. Using the advice in the following piece will help make purchasing a car a cinch.

Have an understanding of what you want in a car when you go out to buy one. How much money are you willing to spend? How many people need to fit into the car? Is fuel economy a particular concern? Do you want a two door or a sedan? You should make a list of all the features you are looking for, and bring it with you when you go shopping for a new car.

Speak with knowledgeable people before you go car shopping. They will help you stay grounded about the offers and also help you find any problems in the car. You may want to bring a friend, parent or partner.

If you already have a pretty expensive car, do not drive that to the car dealership to make a purchase. You might not get a good deal if they see a nice car that they know is expensive.

Exhaust all your sources, you can buy online and hire auto shipping services to deliver your car at your doorstep. 

You should shop for a car online. No matter what make or model you desire, you can be certain that you’ll find it online. While online, learn everything about the car of your choice before visiting a dealer. If you can find out how the car works, the miles per gallon, what kind of engine it has, etc. you will be ahead before you make it to the lot.

A good way to figure out what kind of car is ideal for you is by attending an auto show. Auto shows are great places to compare different cars to each other. It will also allow you to speak to lots of people who know a great deal about cars. It should be possible for you to leave an auto show knowing which cars you want to investigate further.

Ask if you can have an independent mechanic do an inspection. Choose a mechanic that you trust. Never use the mechanic the dealer suggests. Your mechanic can tell you if it is safe and if the car is worth your dollar.

When you are shopping for a car, don’t let the dealer know up front that you have a trade in. Do not disclose to others of your trade-in vehicle until an actual price has been negotiated for the car you are buying. If you wait until after the price negotiations, you will actually get the value of your trade-in.

Never sign unless you read first. You should actually read everything before you sign anything. Once you sign, you are legally bound by the entire document. Take a copy of the contract home or have a professional look over it with you if you’re having difficulties. You might be able to ask them for a photocopy of the contract.

Always make an effort to do research before getting a used car. There are many online sources that will inform you of what a certain car is worth. Use NADA or Kelly Blue Book to find out what the vehicle is worth. If a car is selling at the dealership for much more than the price that these resources suggest, you should go somewhere else.

If you know what kind of car you want, call the lot and ask if they have it. Otherwise, the salesman will try to get you to buy something you may not want. If the dealer does not have a car that meets your needs, your trip will be a waste. Give them a ring and see what’s available.

AS-is warranties should always be avoided. You will end up regretting this decision. You should get at least 30 days of warranty with your purchase. Be aware that if the engine or transmission breaks once you drive away, you will end up having to pay for the repairs.

Head out to buy a car in the last few days of the month. Salesmen are all about the monthly quota, and your sale might just get them there. Wait a couple of days to deal with them; when the month comes to an end, you are more likely to come away with the best deal.

When you next go to buy yourself a used or new vehicle, simply keep the above information in mind. With this advice in hand, car shopping will be an easier experience. Just print this out, and take it along to keep you on track.