Some people don’t know when to trust a dealership or when they are being duped. It’s not easy to tell, and the salesmen don’t just out themselves. You have to know what you’re doing, and you need to be prepared. Consider the helpful tips you’re about to read in order to get you better prepared for next time.

Get a car loan online prior to going to a dealership. It often takes longer otherwise, because they need to check up on your credit. If you have a loan in-hand when you visit the dealership, the purchasing process will be streamlined.

Find out about the different warranties that are available. You do not want to spend a couple thousand dollars on a warranty that is not going to cover the repairs that commonly occur. Instead, shop outside of the dealership to find one that will cover the repairs at a better price.

If you are in the market for a used car, a great way to tell if the speedometer is correct is to look at the gas and brake pedals. If someone says the car has 30,000 miles on it, and the brake and gas pedals are worn, it is a good indication the odometer was turned back.

Do not wait until you go car shopping to think about how you are going to finance your car. You need to arrive at the dealership with your car loan pre-qualified at a decent interest rate. You are almost always going to be able to get a better deal than the dealership would provide for you.

Research trade-in prices before turning over your older vehicle. If you are planning on trading in your current vehicle to go towards the purchase price of your new one, be armed with the proper value ahead of time. Checking prices online or using the Kelley Blue Book. Just make sure you are checking the wholesale price, not retail.

If you are interested in a particular car, rent it first. If you really want to know how a car handles, rent it from a rental car agency and test drive it for a while. Take your family on a road trip, and you’ll see if the car is a fit for you. This is an excellent method of getting comfortable with the car prior to making the decision to buy it.

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 looking to purchase a used car, it is of the utmost importance that you get a copy of the vehicle maintenance and repair history. This will allow you to see what has been done to the car, and if it has been in any serious accidents.

No matter how far into the purchase you have gone, remember that you are not tied down into one-car dealership until you sign papers. Even if the salesman is very friendly, it is just business. If you find a better deal elsewhere, you have no obligation to purchase from your first dealer.

Ask your local dealer if they have a particular model, if you have one in mind, before you visit their showrrom If you go without calling, the salesperson may try to sell you a car that you don’t want. If you are truly interested in a particular model that they do not have, it is a waste of time to go there. Calling in advance can save you a lot of time and hassle.

Understand that introductory terms are just that, introductory. Therefore, know what to expect afterwards, and assess your budget to make sure that it accommodates it nicely. If you don’t, you could find yourself getting duped by one of the oldest tricks in the book. Don’t let that happen to you!

It’s a wonderful thing to know what you’re doing when you go to buy a car at a dealership. Now that you know more of what to look for and do, you will be much better prepared the next time around. Put everything you’ve learned together, and make sure you are one step ahead next time.