It can be a stressful experience when you are shopping for a car. Now that there are hundreds of makes and models to choose from, not to mention promotions and payment options, it’s easy to become frustrated and stressed out. The tips below will help you find your next car with minimal stress.

Do not buy a car just because it is a good deal. You have to live with this car after you take it home, so it needs to be something that you really like and that works for you and your family. You also need to make sure you can really afford it.

If you are going to be purchasing a used car, one of the top things you should be looking at is the mileage of the car. As nice as a car may be, if it has 150,000 miles on it already, you probably will not get much use out of it.

Consider the mileage a car gets before buying it. It may look like it’s great to get a V-8 that can tow, for example. However, you have to consider whether you’ll use that towing capacity and if you’ll often use the extra horsepower of a V-8.

Take an extended test drive. Don’t just take it for a quick spin through the neighborhood by yourself. Instead, enlist everyone who will be regularly riding in the car to share their opinions. Ask the dealer for a full afternoon test drive so that you have the chance to take it on the freeway to check things like the pickup and the blind spots, and spend some time really feeling the comfort of the interior.

Form a budget prior to heading out and looking at a car. Unless you know how much money you have available, you could end up in over your head. Determine the amount you are to spend every month on a car. It may be a good idea to shop for a loan before you look at any cars.

Take your time when buying a new car and do your homework. Do not be afraid to get up and walk away from a deal. Don’t fall in love with a specific car. If the numbers the dealer is giving you are not what you want, just walk away.

If you are trying to determine your trade-in value for your current vehicle, be sure to take it to a few dealers. By going to a few different dealers, you’ll be able to get a rough estimate of how much your car is actually worth. This will allow you to turn down low ball offers that someone may make for your car.

When purchasing a car, do not fall for the salesman’s ploy that you must make a deal now to get the special pricing. Instead, tell the salesman you are going to get something to eat and will return in an hour. This will allow time for your emotional attachment to lessen making you able to negotiate the best terms and price.

These tips should help you reduce your stress as you shop for a vehicle. Refer back to them as you explore your options and compare different vehicles. Find the car you really what at a price you can afford.