When shopping for cars, you need to look for value. It isn’t easy when a nagging salesman tries to get all of your money. However, it can be done, and you just have to learn what to do.

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.

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.

Prior to even stepping foot in a dealership, you need to know what kind of car you want. If you have kids, maybe you should be looking for a van or large SUV. If it is just you, maybe you want something more sportier. Either way, knowing what you want will make the whole process of shopping for a car easier.

You should never pay the full sticker price of a car. What the dealers list on the sticker is not what they actually think they will get. When you need help with negotiating, ask a loved one to come along. Make sure you research the car you are interested in first, however, so you have some idea of what to offer.

Before signing any contract take the time to read every line, including the fine print. If there is anything listed that you do not understand, do not sign until you get an answer that you understand. Unsavory salesmen can use a contract to insert many fees that were not discussed.

If you plan to purchase a new vehicle, you should speak with your bank to verify that you qualify for a loan. This is just for your own security. Sometimes you can get a better interest rate through the dealership, but it’s best to check through your bank too.

Before you even walk out the door to go to the different dealerships to search for an automobile to purchase, do your homework. If you have a specific car make and model that you are considering buying, do some background research. Have there been numerous recalls for this vehicle. What do current and former owners of this make and model say about their automobile?

Watch out for the car salesman who offers you a price on a car before he visits his sales manager. The salesman will tell you anything you want to hear, but only the manager can approve the deal. Ask to speak to the manager face to face and see the deal on paper before committing to purchase the car.

Research is the key to being a happy car owner. With a budget in mind and a list of cars you want, you can begin to delve into which vehicle is right for you. You should be aware of any negative reports on the vehicles you have in mind. Know its safety ratings and value to help you negotiate a good price.

Test drive more than one car before you buy it. Any new car is going to feel fantastic if you’re used to driving an old one. Think seriously about how the ride feels, where the buttons are located, and how much of the road you are able to see. Test-driving more than one car will help you realize where you want to be.

If you cannot find the exact car that you want, ask your dealership if they can order it for you. Most domestic cars can be custom ordered with the exact upgrades and options that you want. Even used cars are often easy for car dealerships to find and have shipped to their location. You will have to wait a bit longer for this option, but it might be worth it if you have your heart set on something specific.

Watch out for dealership advertising fees. These are often tacked on to new car purchases, and you should not have to pay them. Car dealerships have to advertise as part of doing business, and many shoppers who challenge this fee will win. If your salesman will not remove this fee, ask to speak with a manager.

Read everything before you sign it! Read the whole contract before agreeing to anything. Once your signature is on the document, it becomes a legal obligation. If you don’t feel okay doing all this reading at the dealership, inquire about the possibility of taking the document home so that you have time. If that is not realistic, get your hands on a copy.

The job of a dealer is to maximize their profits. Although this should be obvious, it can be easy to forget this fact if the salesperson is very friendly. Always be aware of any add-ons and extras, which will be added to the bottom line of the car. Even a bargain car can easily increase by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

Have car insurance in place before you go car shopping. You need to have insurance before they will let you drive the car off the lot, so make sure to shop around for the best. While there are some companies that let you sign up from the lot itself, that may not be the best insurance deal you can get.

If a car salesman tells you, a deal is only good for today, do not fall prey to this trick. Dealerships like to put a sense of urgency into the negotiation process in order to get you to make a hasty decision. This always works to their benefit, and it rarely works to yours. If a deal is offered to you today, any reputable dealership will extend it to you tomorrow.

Now you know how to get through the negotiation process. The goal here is to become knowledgeable about car shopping. The more you know about cars and dealerships, the better off you’ll be. Keep this advice handy and get to the dealership.