If you are thinking about purchasing a new car or truck, then you may be worried about getting ripped off. Everyone has heard stories about car dealerships, but if you are prepared with research and information, you can feel confident about the decisions you make. Read through this article to get that information.

When buying a used car, a great way to tell if the car has been in an accident is to look into the door frames. Usually when a car is repainted, you will notice over spray in this area. This is not proof that a car was in an accident, but it will let you know it was repainted.

You want to stay focused on the total price, not monthly payments. Dealers are able to get any car into a particular monthly payment level, but the terms of the financing end up making the overall cost quite a bit higher than you may have thought. Negotiate the best overall deal for the course of your lease. Use that number, then calculate the optimal monthly payment amount.

If you’re purchasing your next vehicle via private party, make sure to bring a mechanic to examine the car. If the current owner declines to let you do this, take that warning sign to heart. This typically means that there are issues they are trying to cover up. Investing in a car isn’t worth it when it’s a lemon.

If you aren’t confident you can resist high-pressure sale pitches, do not go car shopping alone. Take someone you trust to help facilitate negotiations and ask key questions. Discuss your needs and the limits of your budget with your adviser before you visit a car lot.

Take a look at owner reviews before selecting the car you want to buy. These can be found online, at many different websites. Owner reviews give you a good idea about how much others enjoy the car, and if they would recommend it to friends and family. They offer a different perspective than professional reviews, and they are very informative for anyone who is car shopping.

Look on the Internet for deals. There are millions of cars being sold online. Before you step into a car dealership, learn as much as you are able to about the cars that you are interested in. By researching online, you can find specs, gas mileage data, resell value, ratings and almost any other information that you desire.

A great tip for those looking to buy a used car would be to research what the resale value of the car is. Look at the Kelly Blue Book value and compare it to the condition that the vehicle is currently in to see whether or not the price is fair.

Now that you are prepared and informed, you are ready to go out and find the right car at the perfect price point. Don’t forget these tips, and if you feel you are being pressured, step back and go through the article again. It is here for you whenever you need it!

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