If you have bought a new car before, you know how much of a hassle it can be. With so many options to choose from, and dealers being so pushy, it is easy to rush into a vehicle that you really aren’t right for. Read this article and learn some important information about buying a new vehicle.

What can you afford? You have to understand exactly how much money you have every month to not only pay for the car lease, but also insurance, licensing costs, gas, and repairs. Everything must be covered every single month or else you’ll have to reduce the amount you have to spend on the car itself.

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.

If you are getting your car from an individual, get your mechanic to see the vehicle before you purchase it. If the person doesn’t want you to do that, you need to think of that as a warning. They may be trying to hide a serious, expensive problem. Do not purchase a car without knowing about possible mechanical problems.

When you are looking for a car to purchase, make sure that any vehicle you consider is equipped with the latest safety features. It is essential to have anti-lock brakes. Air bags are also essential. Safety is important since you will be in this vehicle a lot.

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.

Once you know how much you have to spend, find out about the cars within that range. Learn about the car itself, its miles per gallon, number of doors, trunk space, driver’s reviews, safety record and how frequently it needs repairs on average. Assign each a rating and go for those at the top of the list.

Understand the financing office. Most dealerships make the bulk of their money in the financing office. Your interest rate, extended warranties and other add ons are all sold at a premium once you are in there. Understand this, and select any of those options carefully. Most are not necessary for the average car owner.

Don’t let the salesperson know you have a trade in until you have a firm sales price in hand. Some dealers will inflate the price if they think you’re trading in a car, so they can offer you a lot for the trade in, which is, then balanced by the new price they give on the car they’re selling.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding as to what it takes to purchase a car that you are happy with. Make sure you implement the tips given in the article above to make your selection a whole lot easier. With any luck, you will end up with the car of your dreams!