Purchasing a car, whether new or used, is a big decision for most people. You will likely live with (and pay for) the choice you make for at least the next few years, so do not make snap decisions.



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Start by following the 3 Steps listed below. They will help you sort through the sometimes overwhelming array of choices you must deal with just to select the right vehicle for you.



1. Think About Buying a Car

• Should I keep my old car or buy a new one?
  
  If the body of your current car is in reasonably good shape and the car suits your needs, take it to your mechanic and find out how much it would cost to bring it into mechanically good condition. You may find that even if it needs transmission or engine work and new tires and shocks, these repairs may cost less than the sales tax on a new car! Check out Car Repair for advice on checking out your present vehicle, then decide.


• Should I buy a USED or NEW car?
  
  A two-year-old used car will cost significantly less than a new car; yet, in many cases, it will look exactly the same. Today, body styles change only once every four to six years so, unless you are a car fanatic, you won't be able to distinguish a three year old car from a new one. On the other hand, there is the concern about buying someone else's headache. A good mechanic should be able to tell whether the used car you are considering is in good shape and has not been in a major accident, but first check the reliability rating for the car you are looking at in an unbiased publication such as Consumer Reports or Edmund's. The thing to remember is that a properly selected and well maintained 3 or 4 year old used car kept for five years will give you just as good service as a new car for about half the price.


• What about a high mileage car?
  
  There are many good used cars available that have clocked over 100,000 miles. While these cars must be thoroughly checked by a mechanic (preferably one who is experienced with the specific model) some cars have much more usable life left in them, and the price will be right!


• Should I buy from a private party or a dealer?
  
  Buying a car from a private party can sometimes get you a great deal. BUT once you hand this person your money, you own the car. If anything goes wrong with it, it's YOUR headache. Buying from a dealer will get you some sort of warranty, even if it is the minimum required by state law. In either case, make sure you have it checked by a mechanic that you trust and that you get a free and clear title.


• Should I buy from used car dealers that are open to the public?
  
  While you can get a great deal, leave this method of buying a car to the experts. Auctions give you little time to inspect the car and will rarely let you drive it. Cars are sold as-is-where-is with little or no recourse.


• How can I verify that I am getting the right deal?
  
  One way to ensure that you get a good deal on your next vehicle is to arm yourself with information. The links you see below contain a wealth of information on buying a car including wholesale and retail pricing and ratings on just about any car or light truck you might consider ENew Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing - Edmunds.com and Kelly Blue Book

2. Decide In Advance Which Qualities Are Most Important To You

Examine your priorities before you go car shopping. By being methodical, you can avoid impulse buying, which salespeople love, but which you may later regret.

• Reliabilty - A reliable car is one that keeps running well without requiring unscheduled repairs. The most reliable cars today seem to be coming out of Japanese companies, such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, &[COLOR=#006200 ! important][COLOR=#006200 ! important][/color] Mazda. Some people object to buying products from foreign companies, but if this is any consolation, many of these cars are manufactured in factories in the USA and they are just as reliable as the ones manufactured in Japan. Also, in today's climate of mega mergers, you really don't know which country your money will wind up.[/color]For instance, Ford Motor Company now owns Aston Martin, Volvo and a good portion of Mazda and Tata Motors an Indian company now owns RangeRover and Jaguar(earlier was owned by Ford Motor Company), while Chrysler and Mercedes have joined forces with Mercedes having the larger share of the combined company. If you must buy American, then you will be glad to know that the reliability and quality of American cars is steadily improving.Remember, a reliable car will only stay that way as long as you properly maintain it and drive it sensibly. A neglected car, no matter how good it is, will eventually give you problems.


• Safety - One of the most important safety items on a car is the tires. A good set of tires can make a big difference in the way a car responds to emergency maneuvers. Tire quality also makes a big difference in the way a car handles. For instance, a touring tire has much more grip than an economy priced tire and will probably wear longer. Look for a car with anti-lock brakes if possible. More and more new cars have them as standard equipment.
  
  Above all, drive sensibly.


• Price - Sure, you may find that bargain from a person who must sell by tomorrow, but in most cases someone he/she knows would have grabbed it before you ever heard about it if it really were a good deal. When a car is priced much less than its current book value, there is usually a reason why. It may have high mileage or problems that are not worth fixing.
  
  Have your mechanic check out any "bargains" thoroughly before you proceed. Anything the mechanic finds will become points to negotiate if you still want the vehicle. If the car is old or has high mileage, you should also factor in something for unexpected problems.
  
  If you are considering a NEWcar, here are a few ways to save money.
  • Buy a leftover new car from the previous year. Once the new model year car is in the showroom, any stock from the previous year is usually heavily discounted. The best time to buy is around January or February.
  
  
  • Look for cars that have manufacturers rebates. Manufacturers must predict the sales volume for each model long before the first car is built so that they can outfit the factories and order the materials needed to produce them. When they overestimate the demand for a model, they often offer incentives in the form of rebates in order to clear the backlog. Some rebates can be thousands of dollars!
  
  


• Fuel Efficiency - Mileage figures are listed on the window stickers of all new cars. Generally, the smaller, lighter, more aerodynamic, later model cars get the best gas mileage. If you are looking at a car because it gets great mileage even though you would prefer another model, try this little experiment. Figure how many miles you drive per year. Divide that figure by the km/miles per liter/gallon, then multiply the result (gallons per year) by the price you pay per liter/gallon. Do this for each car you are considering.