Many people look at searching for a car as a frustrating task. Though driving a new car is great fun, the choice to buy must be based on sound research. If you use the following tips, the whole process of finding a car will be fun instead of difficult.

Establish a budget before you go car shopping so you have a great idea of what is in your price range. Try your best to stay within your budget. If you must go over, the amount that you go over should not be so significant that it puts you in a financial bind.

As you shop for a vehicle, make certain you find one with high safety ratings and options. You cannot do without anti-lock brakes, also referred to as ABS. Air bags are also important. Safety is important since you will be in the car alot.

Never dress up to go to a car dealership. It will be harder to make a deal and convince someone you deserve a better price on a vehicle if you are draped in expensive clothing. While you want to appear neat and clean, do not wear anything that will make you look more well off than you are.

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.

Many salesmen have monthly quotas. Use this system to your advantage by shopping for a car at the end of the month. Salespeople who have not yet made their quota will be more willing to negotiate in order to seal the deal. This will give you more flexibility when it comes to negotiating a price.

Bring a spare set of keys with you to the dealership. When they ask for the keys to your trade in, give them the spare. Some dealerships will use your car keys to hold you hostage if a deal is not made. You want to avoid this, so make sure you have the ability to walk out of the dealership at any time without having to ask for your keys.

Never take a car at face value. Though you may not be a mechanic, it is a good idea to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle. An important part of the inspection is a test drive. This allows you to feel the car on the road, listen for any wayward noises and possible spot issues with performance.

If you are car shopping and want to test drive some different cars, make sure you bring your license and insurance card with you. Many dealers will want a photo copy of them before you drive. This is just to protect them in case someone steals or damages a car. If you do not have them with you, they might not let you test drive.

When it comes to car buying, people are faced with tough decisions. Knowing all you can is key to a great shopping experience. Keep the tips you’ve learned here in mind and you’ll be armed and ready to walk into the dealership and score a great deal on the car of your dreams.