Buying a car is a huge investment that should not be taken lightly. Whether you are buying new or used, there are many things you should consider about your car of choice before you make the purchase. Use the tips in the following article to help you narrow down your choices and make the right decision.

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.

Go into the dealership with a bottom line price in mind. The salesman might try to focus on the monthly payments or financing terms, but your goal should be to get the price you want on the car you want. You can always negotiate the financing terms later, or even finance with your own bank outside of the dealership.

Rather than buying a brand-new car, purchase a lightly used one that is only a couple of years old. Many cars come with transferable warranties that last for three years or 36,000 miles. You will save a significant amount over buying new, and the warranty will give you peace of mind for the first year or so.

Take time to look over the dealer prior to making buying offers. When you know what they typically offer, you can use it to your advantage. Keep in mind that you can also protect yourself by reviewing previous customer reviews.

When buying a vehicle from a private seller, make sure a mechanic does an inspection first. If the owners prevent this, you may want to look elsewhere. There may be extensive problems the owner is trying to hide. You should not buy it without knowing more.

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.

Make sure you’re able to be inside the dealership for hours when you’re car shopping. It is a bad idea to be in a rush, because it might cause you to make a poor deal. Allowing for an entire afternoon is best. If you don’t have that much time, simply plan to return if need be.

Never show up at the dealership driving a luxury vehicle. You might not get a good deal if they see a nice car that they know is expensive.

As stated in the introduction, buying a new car is a big deal. Cars are expensive, so the decision should not be taken lightly. You want to make a decision that you will be proud of. Use the advice outlined above when you go car shopping and choose a car that you will love.