Research Models

• Think about what you are looking for in a car and then research different car models that meet that criteria. Whether you're looking for a car with a high safety rating, one that can hold your family of eight, or a car that gets high gas mileage, the more research you do into different models, the less likely you will be to make a purchase and then realize it's not really your dream car. Once you find a car you are interested in, search online for consumer rating information about the car and to learn about any problems that others who have purchased the vehicle have run into.
  
  

Get Pre-Approved Financing

• Most car dealerships offer on-lot financing for their vehicles. Unless you have perfect credit, most on-lot financing ends up being a good deal for the car dealership and a very bad deal for the person making the purchase. Check with your local bank or credit union to see if they can pre-approve you for a loan. A pre-approved car loan from your bank will typically have a lower interest rate than a loan you might get on the lot, and being pre-approved will give you an idea of how much money you have to spend on a car when you start shopping.
  
  

Compare Prices

• Never buy a car you see on the lot without first looking around at other dealerships for a better price. Chances are there are several cars for sale in your area that are exceptionally similar. If you find a similar car you like at another lot, mention it to both dealers and see if one can offer you a better price on the vehicle. The Internet can also be a useful tool in determining what a "fair" price for a particular vehicle might be.
  
  

Think On It

• Never buy a car the same day you see it on the lot. A car dealer is interested in one thing: selling you a car. Most car dealers will say and do anything once you're on their lot to make sure you leave that same day driving one of their cars. Even if the dealer claims several other people are considering purchasing the car that day as well, chances are they're not and the car will be there in the morning. If a dealer offers you a price and says it's for "Today Only" they also will more than likely able offer you the exact same price the next day. Walking off the lot that first day can give you time to look for any other comparable (and possibly less expensive) cars at other dealerships, and can let you do a little research to make sure the car you're looking at is in fact the car you want to purchase.
  
  

Shop at the End of the Month

• Shop for your car at the end of the month in order to get the best deal. Most car dealerships have monthly quotas of the amount of cars they need to sell each month. If it is the end of the month and a car dealership hasn't made their numbers, they will be more than likely be more inclined to give you a special deal in order to get the car off the lot.