Take the Mystery Out of Car Buying

Purchasing a new car is an exciting experience. It also can be a mysterious journey through a maze of pressure tactics and impulse buying. And it's a huge investment for most of us. You need to be prepared.

There are a few tips that can help make car buying easier. First, try to start the shopping process early so you're less likely to be pressured into a car you're not comfortable with. When you don't need a car, you have more bargaining power because you can walk away from a deal that's not right for you. Also, the key to getting the best deal and still getting the vehicle you want is research. Thanks to the Internet, information is readily available. Take advantage of your computer and make it your secret weapon in smart car shopping.

Of course, the Internet can be overwhelming to some. If you want assistance in making your task more manageable, you can turn to AAA. The Automotive page of AAA's extensive Web site — AAA.com/auto — has everything you need to prepare yourself for an enjoyable car buying experience. At AAA.com, you can use online tools to check automotive reviews, access loan calculators, compare makes and models, check out safety and crash-test ratings, and get insider information on dealer invoice prices, trade-in values, rebates, and more.

These easy-to-use tools make it easy for you to research, build, compare, and purchase your perfect vehicle, helping you save money and even avoid some costly mistakes.

The tools on AAA.com/auto can help you determine how much you can afford for a down payment and a monthly payment. Get tips on when you should buy, when you should lease, whether you should purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle, and much more so you can walk into any dealership armed with the information you need.

If you decide a pre-owned vehicle is for you, make sure to protect yourself against unforeseen repairs by having the vehicle inspected by a AAA Approved Repair technician before you purchase it. To locate a shop, use the Shop Locator tool on AAA.com/auto.

Another step you can take to ensure you're making a good investment is to order a detailed vehicle history report from CARFAX. The comprehensive title history included in a vehicle history report can alert prospective buyers to the fact that a vehicle has been salvaged, rebuilt, had flood damage, or been classified as a "lemon" under state law. Odometer tampering or fraud also can be indicated in a report. The VIN is checked against the database to determine if any reported odometer reading is less than a previous reading.

To obtain a report, you must know the VIN of the prospective vehicle. The VIN is a 17-character identification composed of letters and digits. It is usually located on the front left corner of the dashboard as you sit in the car. Every car manufactured since 1981 has a unique 17-character VIN. AAA members receive a discount on CARFAX reports purchased through AAA.com.

What about your trade-in vehicle? Access AAA.com/auto to find Kelley Blue Book and NADA Guide information that will help you determine how much you can expect to receive for your car both as a trade-in or if you decide to sell it privately. Then search for the make and model of the car you're thinking of buying and see what you should expect to pay for it.

If you prefer getting information from a person rather than a portal, you can always contact your local AAA club for help. Let AAA put the excitement back into your auto buying experience. AAA can help make finding your dream car a painless, haggle-free experience — at a price you'll like.