With Cash for Clunkers being effective right now I thought I would give some advice for the new or seasoned car buyers. Could be time to get some of the cheapest cars in a while!

Home shopping

First off do some web shopping at different car dealers near or far (great deals to be had) to see what price range and style fits you and your budget. Maybe find your credit score, which will help you a LOT when closing on a purchase. If you're looking for a budget car look for the cheapest car.

This is also a good time to look for 0 interest deals, or at least low interest. Maybe some different car insurance estimates for full coverage if you'll be getting a loan. Whatever you do, don't rush off to the new or used car lot right away, salesman sell for a living, and you don't want to end up leaving with something you can't afford and didn't want in the first place! You want to find the best options you can online and then go out to dealerships having them trying to beat your quoted price.

Check around for different online reviews, in car reviews are great to get a hands on opinion of what somebody else thinks. Look for manufacturing recalls or defects, and this is probably the best time to look through warranties and personal experiences with the warranties, down to each potential car lot. When you decide to go lot shopping and plan on trading you should stop - sell the used car yourself as you won't get anywhere near its value to you, or what a potential used car buyer would pay. This also gets you to taste for what the car sales process feels like from the other side.

At the dealership

When at the dealership check out some of the lineup, do they have a model you like? Do they have the colors you would be interested in? Check for some options you want or might not want. All of this matters at the particular location when they start talking car trades with far away dealerships - cost to perform the trade which is needless to you.

Take you're time - greet and be friendly with salespersons. Now is a good time to ask about any promotions they're running, but if you're not ready tell them you're looking at some of their models. If you get to it, take a seat in any cars that interest you and play with accessories, see what you like or don't like. Look for quality.

Now that you have looked over the lineup, you want to leave and take it all in. You want to make an assessment to decide if this is the time for you to buy a car, look as far down the road as you plan to pay, beyond that to your next largest purchase. If you have to recover from this purchase,its probably not time to shop. This step of the process should take at least a full weekend, preferably longer.

The sit down

When you have found something you like speak to a few salespersons and take a seat with one you feel comfortable with. Don't go with anyone that pushes you - you're not here to buy this individuals personal car.

Talk about pricing options and promotions if you will be getting a new or used car loan, interest and warranty. Don't get into "today only" deals on cars, because the buy isn't today only, its a commitment. If this is a dealership you had a quote from ask if they can sweeten the deal, throw in any options.

If nothing is presenting itself you should sleep on it, or travel to another dealership and look at their models. Different dealerships run all types of promotions at different times - its not manufacturer wide always.

Now would be a good time to demo. If you still aren't sure ask for one you can take home overnight to sleep on and get a real feel for. I've got a few of these, usually the vehicles are packed to the brim with gadgets so you get to see your accessory options.

Before the deal

Before closing on a purchase you should go to different banks and see if you can get a loan for the vehicle at hand - and how long you will have to pay on this loan. You really don't want to pay on a vehicle for more than 18 months, a lot can happen to the car, you or the economy in this time frame. It wouldn't be idea paying on a vehicle that is losing value beyond the means of normal car value. If it gets to this point maybe think about refinancing car payments.

While plotting the financial part of this keep your eye out on the road for the vehicle you plan on buying, question the owners and get to know their car and its particular wear and tear.

The deal

Finally you've decided to go ahead! Hopefully by now you have went to at least four dealerships or more to talk out the door price with them, maybe today they'll cut you a real deal to get your sale. Whatever happens, make sure its right for you!

If you're interested in car insurance quotes feel free to visit this hub: Auto Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes

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