1: Don’t look for something that isn’t what you really need. Say you have a family with two kids, be practical, buying a two-seater is just not going to cut it.

2: If you’re thinking about buying brand new and have a dream car in mind remember: On average, a three hundred to four hundred and seventy-five dollar car payment stretched out over a five year period is a long time. So it is important to think about price and be realistic.

3: Find all hidden costs! Sticker Price is usually the first thing you’d go on and also your fist instinct would be to think you have some haggling room but, remember that you’ll need to know how much your finance charges, insurance, and registration expenses are going to be. Also, find out what your yearly maintenance fees would be.

4: How much will your car actually cost? Call your insurance company first and ask for an estimate on the vehicle you’re thinking about buying.

5: Safety features should be your top priority. Remember those features will also greatly affect your total price. Here’s something else to think about; According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: ( http://www.hwysafety.org/ ) "Bigger and heavier Vehicles are better." More people die each year in crashes when smaller, lighter vehicles are involved than in larger heavier cars.

6: Shop around before you buy! Don’t be sucked in by pushy sales people. Two important things to look for are, take note of how you’re being treated. It’s your money, your time and you want to be respected and not feel like you’re being made a target. Secondly: Not many people talk about this or even notice it but; when you enter a sales office or show room, take notice of one-way mirror tinted windows! Most reputable car dealers have nothing to hide hence No one-way mirror glass separating their show room from a hidden office where deals are secretly being made while studying your appearance.

7: When you find a dealer that you feel comfortable with, ask questions! Are they friendly and helpful? When your questions begin to add up while talking to a manager or sales person, do they appear to be getting frustrated, if so, then that’s not the place to be. Look around also to see how other people are being treated as well. Also, find out if they offer some kind of shuttle service or provide a loner car in the event your new ride needs servicing.

8: Always ask friends and relatives for referrals. If they’ve had a good experience at a certain dealership, go there, its a good idea to take them with you too.

9: Check with Consumer Reports and also look up recall history. Would repairs cost an arm and leg on that vehicle? Buying a Jag as opposed to a Saturn, obviously if something went wrong with the Jag it could very well put you in the poor house!

10: Always negotiate Price! Don’t give in easily to their asking price. There’s always a little room for them to come down. If you’re persistent it will work in your favor.