Going to a place to get a car is a little exciting and can be intimidating as well. Research will help you end up happy after your purchase. This article contains tips that will help you make the best decision.

Always bring a mechanic along when shopping for a new vehicle. Car dealers are notorious for selling lemons and you do not want to be their next victim. If you can not get a mechanic to look at cars with you, at least be sure that you have him look at your final choice before you buy it.

Rather than buying a brand-new car, purchase a lightly used one that is only a couple of years old. Many cars come with transferable warranties that last for three years or 36,000 miles. You will save a significant amount over buying new, and the warranty will give you peace of mind for the first year or so.

If buying from a private individual, make sure your mechanic checks out the vehicle before cash trades hands. If the owners won’t allow this, that should be considered a red flag. They may be trying to hide a serious, expensive problem. It can be dangerous to buy such cars without doing your homework.

Be flexible. While you should head to the car dealership with a good idea of what you are looking for, it can pay to have a little wiggle room. Try to have several makes or models that fit your needs, and you can choose the best deal when you find out what is available at your particular dealer

Though car shopping can be enjoyable, it can also be stressful. When you know what you’re doing, you’ll find it more fun. Remember what you have learned, and you can be well prepared to make the right choice.