How to Buy the Best Car for Your Money is an article that is timely in a tough time such as this. The economy is in a crisis and most people are out of work. The unemployment rate is now up to 8.9% up from the 7.6% at the beginning of the recession in December of 2007.

Buying a car is not an easy thing to do because the state of the economy has been expressed over and over again by the president as needing a recovery. But if you have been laid off of work as 54 million Americans have; then you know that there are salemen out there who is waiting to take advantage of the recently unemployed. There laid off people are living on severance, unemployment checks or 401K. Save money on car protection is the second consideration because protection is required to drive a privately owned car in the United States. Buying car insurance is your concern after buying the best car for your money.

So how do you buy the best car for your money knowing the state of the nation's economy. The state of your personal finances and the lending sharks that are waiting to take advantage of your needy situation are out there and you must be prepared to get your best used car deal. You are going to have to be smart and not desperate if your old reliable car conks out on you and you need transportation to get around to look for employment.

The first thing that you have to do is your research online about the Kelly Book Value of the car you are interested in. You can find a copy of car price quotations online. After you do your research and find the best value on line, then you have to make sure that the finances that you have is viable enough to sustain a monthly car payment. If you are really strapped for cash you may have to play the odds on taking a chance on a cash and carry car. Many cars are available for less that $1000 buy there is an automatic buyer beware that comes with such a purchase. Although this is not the right route to take and it is not recommended, you need to do what is best for your situation. A cash and carry car will get you to the employment office to look for a job. If you are out of work, then you need a job.

If you were smart and thrifty enough to save a decent savings account and have saved up at least $2,000; guess what? You are in the market for a new car because $2,000 is the down payment and asking price of most used cars. When it comes to selecting a car salesman, it is best to choose a dealership that you have used in the past. If you did not fall far or a long way off of the corporate ladder, then you can afford to be more selective. Because of the state of the economy, the former scenario is going to have to suffice. If you do not know of a used car salesman, then check with your family and friends for a reputable used car dealership.

Once you have located a reputable used car salesman with a dealership and have checked with the Better Business Bureau in your area, then you are ready to get the best car for your money. Do not concern yourself with the how to save money on car insurance at this point. Your main focus is to get transportation so that you can get to work. With your $2000.00 in hand and on your way to the car dealership, follow a few simple rules to get the best car for the money.

Do not ever tell the car salesman the monthly payment you would like to have. That is one of the major reasons that people go to used car dealership because they think that they can name their monthly payment. They think that agreement is mandatory on asking for a monthly payment as long as you get a car, right. Wrong. The minute you tell the salesman the  monthly payment you want, you may pay for the car twice over. Use the negotiated price of the vehicle and then figure the monthly payment just like on any other installment loan. You would not call your credit card company and then tell them what you would like your monthly payment to be. Your monthly payment is determined by  the purchase value of the automobile. So rule number one is to not tell the used car salesman the  monthly payment you would  like to pay. Use the price of the automobile based on negotiation in accordance with the Kelly Blue Book and the condition of the used car.

Also, the condition of the car is paramount to the value of the car. Make sure that you show the car salesman any flaws and because of the flaws no matter how minor, adds to your negotiation of the price of the automobile. What ever you do, do not act anxious or desperate that you need a car. Desperation throws all negotiation out of a rational way of dealing with the salesman. If you have a car to trade in, keep that price out of the negotiated price until you have met with the manager and is about to close the deal. The saleman may add to the cost of the automobile the value of your trade in and then you would have given the trade in away.

Rule number three is to get an automobile that has the thirty day warranty. Though a thirty day notice is not much when you plan on driving the car longer than thirty ; it is the best deal that use car salesman can give. The only other option is purchasing a car "as is" and that purchase would not be sensible. Most people would not buy used "as is" appliances at a used store so you know that you should not buy a car that has on the white tag, "as is."

As a precaution, you have the option of taking the used car for an engine analysis which is highly recommended. The engine analysis cost less than $100 and is well worth checking on the car that you are going to be making monthly payments on. The yellow pages also have companies that's main job is to check to see if you are about to buy a lemon. Use the company to check on the durability of the used car.

Buying a car with no money down is a thing of the past. Carry your downpayment in hand prepared with your new found knowledge  that you are versed on finding the best car for your money.