Buying a New Car: 4 Things Car Buyers Need to Know Before Heading to the Dealership by Stephanie Mallory

Purchasing a new vehicle is a huge investment of both time and money. My husband and I decided to get a new truck this summer, so he embarked on tons of internet research while I rode shotgun on a bunch of visits to dealerships and test drives. Here’s what we learned:

• Do your research. Sure, it takes time, but it really helped us know who had a good price and the truck type we were looking for. Auto dealers all have websites you can browse. You can also consult Kelly Blue Book or TRUECar for pricing help.

• Know the numbers. There are a ton of different prices out there. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. One truck we found at a good price ended up having roll-down windows. I didn’t even know they still made those!

• Ask about incentives. Whether you’re a teacher, a military veteran or first-time car buyer, there are a bunch of pricing incentives the dealers use to seal the sale. Don’t hesitate to ask if there are special deals.

• Be ready to walk away. If the deal doesn’t feel right or you aren’t getting what you want, walk away and sleep on it. You don’t want to fold under pressure and buy something you may regret.