Everyone has to shop for a car sometime, and this can be a stressful time for many. It is hard to understand what the best car prices are, the best negotiation tactics and the amount of options that are available to you. The following tips will help make the process go more smoothly for you.

Go to different dealerships before settling on one. A different dealership might be able to get you a better price on the car you want, and may be running different promotions. Try three or four in your area, and even if you have to travel a bit farther, it may be worth it.

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.

Take a good look at the underside of the vehicle. Try to keep your eyes peeled for signs of rust and erosion. A car can look great on the outside, but be falling apart underneath. If you see rust under the vehicle move on. This could mean a lot of repairs later on.

Financing needs to be in place before you arrive on the lot. One reason car purchases take so long is because of the whole financial part. If you have pre-qualified for a loan, this process will be much faster.

If you are going to be purchasing a used car, one of the top things you should be looking at is the mileage of the car. As nice as a car may be, if it has 150,000 miles on it already, you probably will not get much use out of it.

Set a budget before visiting a dealership. When shopping, do not go above the maximum amount you can pay, no matter what the dealer tells you. You will be the one paying the payments, not them.

Research the value of your trade-in. Not only do you need to research the best price for the new car you would like to purchase, but you also need to know how much your trade-in is worth. Do your homework and find out the retail and wholesale values of your trade-in. Aim to get the retail value from the dealer.

Look online for incentives on the car you want. Many automotive manufacturers offer cash back or special financing on their vehicles. The dealership will not always tell you about these things up front. Take some time to educate yourself first so you can get the best deal once you are in the showroom.

Look on the Internet for deals. You can find nearly any car you want. Completely research any vehicle you are thinking of purchasing before you visit the car lot. You can find specifications, ratings, size, MPG, resell value and anything else that you want to know, all by looking online.

Getting the car you need at an affordable price can be tough. If you go onto the lot with information, you will get something great. Keep this information in mind as you shop. The deal you get may shock you.