Shopping for a new car can bring up a lot of different emotions; sadness over the loss of an old car, anticipation at the prospect of having something new, trepidation when considering the shopping and financing process. No matter what you are feeling, rest assured that you are not alone. By taking your time and making an informed decision you can feel confident in your new ride. Financing It's often the most challenging, yet arguable most important, step in the car buying process. Once you have some money saved up for a down payment, which will vary depending on how much you want to spend, it's a good idea to look for financing. Doing this before you begin shopping will give you a good benchmark on how much you can reasonably spend. Most banks and credit unions offer vehicle financing at reasonable rates; however, if your credit is less than ideal you may need to shop around so more. Many dealerships also offer financing, but again, it's a good idea to know how much you are willing to spend before you start. Shopping This is where the fun starts; even though it can be overwhelming when you consider all of the options. To help narrow down the choices it can be beneficial to create a list of wants and needs, what's negotiable and what isn't. Seating for 7 may be a requirement for the perfect family vehicle but while a panorama roof is fun it's not necessary. With a tight gas budget, fuel efficiency is a must even though the 4-wheel drive, turbo truck would be great for those occasional trips out of town. Consider your priorites and what you need in a vehicle and then really shop around. Websites like Kelley Blue Book can give you a good base price for the year and make of the vehicle you are looking for and from there you can shop different dealers. Picking the One Especially if you are considering buying from a private seller, it's a good idea to have it checked out by a certified mechanic. Everything from under the hood to the size of tires should be checked to verify their condition. Buying a car that needs some work or possibly a new set of tires from /buy-wheels-online/dub-wheels isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as you are aware of that ahead of time and pay accordingly. Considering all of your options, paying a fair amount, and making a well-informed decision can help ensure that you drive away with car of dreams and no regrets.