Buying a brand new car is one of the best feelings in the world. However, that feeling can quickly turn ugly if your car gives you a headache a few short weeks after you purchase it. Use the advice given in this article to ensure that you make a wise selection when buying your next car.

Anytime you are thinking about purchasing a car, you first need to know the true value of the car. This can be done by searching online for the MRSP and comparing it with the offers you find in your area. Be sure to check at many different sites first of all.

Always bring a mechanic along when shopping for a new vehicle. Car dealers are notorious for selling lemons and you do not want to be their next victim. If you can not get a mechanic to look at cars with you, at least be sure that you have him look at your final choice before you buy it.

Never dress up to go to a car dealership. It will be harder to make a deal and convince someone you deserve a better price on a vehicle if you are draped in expensive clothing. While you want to appear neat and clean, do not wear anything that will make you look more well off than you are.

When shopping for a car, it is wise to arrange financing in advance. Doing this helps ensure your security. Dealership finance departments typically give you better rates, but you should compare rates anyway.

Before you go in to look at a new car, make sure you have thoroughly researched the proper trade in value of your current car. In fact, why not try to sell it yourself first before you buy. Either way, you will get more from your vehicle if you know what it is really worth.

Search for your new car online before you ever visit a dealership. Searching online allows you to look at inventory from multiple dealerships, and it makes you privy to information about online only pricing. This is a great way to comparison shop and really make sure you are getting the best deal.

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.

Make sure to take your time. Even if you are really excited about buying a car, don’t run out and buy it on the same day. Make sure that you have taken the time to do research on safety, repairs and other factors before doing something you might end up regretting.

Demand a safety report and vehicle history report from the dealer. Any good car dealer will have these items available for any vehicle on the lot. This is information that will tell you how safe the vehicle is as well as any major accidents or work that has been needed on the car.

Check a vehicle’s overall consumer rating before you make a purchase. The great thing about consumer reports is that you can save yourself from making a bad purchase very easily. These reports can tell you how much you should expect to spend on repairs and how long the vehicle will last on average.

Try to avoid being taken to a “closing” room. When reaching the final stages of negotiation, many salespeople take the customer to a separate room, and sometimes even a separate “closing” salesperson. Try to avoid this if possible, staying in the open where you are less likely to be intimidated.

Hone your negotiation skills before you go to the lot. Practice with friends and family to help you prepare for the big day. Read online to find out what sort of sales tactics dealers use. This will give you the answer to any question they ask, keeping the power in your hands.

Review the car’s “hidden” costs. Different cars have different fuel costs, resale values and insurance policy prices. Find out what kind of mileage it gets, if it takes any special parts, etc. These things combined may make the car unaffordable.

Call a dealership before you visit and get set up with a salesman. Let that person know what car you are interested in seeing and make sure it is ready for the day you will test drive it. This can save you a lot of time and hassle when you are actually out shopping.

Decide on at least three different models that you like and shop for each one to net you the best deal. This will allow you to negotiate three deals and then choose the one that fits you best. Although this will take time, you can rest assured that you will get the best deal possible.

Always look under the hood when searching for a new car. Even if you do not know a lot about cars, you can certainly look for certain things. There should not be rust and all of the hoses and wires should look mint. If this is not the case, do not purchase the vehicle.

Do some research when buying a vehicle. Really, you shouldn’t choose to go to a lot before doing the proper research. Learn about the cars and the dealers so you are knowledgeable.

Fuel economy is one of the most important things to look for when buying a car. Try test driving it on the highway and in the city too. See if it takes a lot of gas. You could also find lists of cars and their fuel economies online if you need to.

You should now have a better idea of what it takes to buy a car that you can be happy with for years to come. Make sure to implement the advice given so that you don’t end up making a purchase you regret. With a little patience and information, you can end up with a wonderful car!