Shopping for a new car involves a lot of research and negotiation. Following these new car buying tips before you buy can save you time — and a few dollars.

Research Before You Look at Cars

Set your price — before you start shopping.
Decide how much money you can spend and what type of car best suits your needs before you visit a car lot. Make a list of all the makes and models that interest you and include the features and options you want. Then, do some homework on those cars. Use online sources and consumer and automotive publications to compare different vehicles, reviewing information about reliability, frequency of maintenance, trunk space, passenger comfort and other practical features. The more you know about your individual needs, the quicker you can drive the car you want off the lot.

Pick your potential cars based on more than one factor.
Research various models to determine which are the safest, most reliable and otherwise suitable to your needs. Consider a car’s safety features — more auto makers are offering side air bags in addition to driver’s side and passenger side airbags. Other optional safety features include built-in child safety seats, anti-lock brakes and traction control. Also, consider the car’s outward visibility, blind spots and instrument panel visibility.

Check out crash tests and accident data.
View crash test videos on our site to see how various models hold up in 10- and 40-mph collisions and in side impacts.

Keep more than one car in mind.
Narrow your choices to several cars, not just one. Setting your sights on only one car may reduce your bargaining power.