Whether you're buying a new or used car, the Internet is a good way to start.
If you're looking for a new model, you can look up the kind of car you want, the options you need, and the price of the car.
If you do it right, you can walk into any dealer armed with lots of important information.
A good place to start searching is the manufacturers' web sites to see all the cars and the available options.
You can request quotes from local dealers or view the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
When you know what you want, you can visit other web sites like Kelly Blue Book's site for more pricing information.
Aside from researching the car you like, you can also use the Internet to determine your financing options and choose the right warranty for your car.
Sites like E-Loan and Lending Tree offer online auto loans.
Keep in mind though that warranties can be used by dealers to get more money from your bank account.
You can avoid this by knowing what kind of warranty you want and how much you're willing to pay for it.
When scouting for the perfect vehicle, don't be blinded by emotions.
This can prevent you from seeking other vehicles that may be better for your needs.
An emotional display can also leave you more susceptible to a salesperson's tactics.
To determine how good a vehicle is, set emotion aside and focus on doing your homework.
Of course, the test drive remains a vital part of the car-buying process.
A lot of vehicles may look good online but you can only see how well a vehicle delivers what it promises with a test drive.
This is your best chance to see how a vehicle measures up to expectations and how well it suits you.
If you hate surprises, never buy a car without testing it first.
A 30-minute test drive can erase all doubts and tell you if the vehicle is worth it.