Buying a car is a huge investment that should not be taken lightly. Whether you are buying new or used, there are many things you should consider about your car of choice before you make the purchase. Use the tips in the following article to help you narrow down your choices and make the right decision.

Never go with the set price of a car when you’re car shopping. Usually people price things knowing that they’ll have to lower it when the buyer gets there. If you are paying with cash, it doesn’t hurt to tell them that either. People that see a lot of money are more likely to let it go for less.

When you are going to buy a car, you need to know ahead of time which features are essential for you in the car. Have a clear picture of what you want, so you can search for the right price as well as the right car for your needs.

Always bring a mechanic along when shopping for a new vehicle. Car dealers are notorious for selling lemons and you do not want to be their next victim. If you can not get a mechanic to look at cars with you, at least be sure that you have him look at your final choice before you buy it.

Know what you want before you step foot in a dealership. You are going to be dealing with professional salespeople, so have your mind made up about what you are willing to pay, what you want and what you are not interested in. That will make it less likely for them to sway you.

When you’re making a vehicle purchase, try keeping the fuel economy in mind. A powerful engine and the ability to tow heavy loads are impressive features, for example. However, you must think about when you’d actually use the feature. If you don’t use it much, it’s not worth the extra running costs.

Be flexible. While you should head to the car dealership with a good idea of what you are looking for, it can pay to have a little wiggle room. Try to have several makes or models that fit your needs, and you can choose the best deal when you find out what is available at your particular dealer

Read all of the fine print that is on the contract for the car you want to purchase. Even if you think the car salesman is being perfectly honest with you about everything involved, you need to make sure you are not signing anything that you will have regrets about later.

Do not rule a car out because it is lacking certain features you want. For instance, if you do not like the sound system of the car, it can always be changed. It is hard to find a car that has everything exactly the way you want it; just keep an open mind and remember that you can make these changes once the car is yours!

As stated in the introduction, buying a new car is a big deal. Cars are expensive, so the decision should not be taken lightly. You want to make a decision that you will be proud of. Use the advice outlined above when you go car shopping and choose a car that you will love.