If buying a new car is on your To Do list then there are many things you need to be aware of before you step on to the car lot. You probably have an idea of what you would like to purchase, but do you have any idea on how to go about getting the best price and protect your interest? If you have been buying/trading vehicles for years this may not seem such a daunting task, but if the lingo used by those in the auto transportation industry seems to be a foreign language, then the tips below will come in handy.

1. Never let “Dealer Adam” locate your new car from “Dealer Bob”. Instead of paying additional fees for the first dealer to located and have the vehicle brought to their lot, ask where to find the other dealer and go buy the car from them. When the vehicle is brought over from another location you risk paying for towing/transportation, finder’s fees, and not getting the car that was promised.

2. The best time to buy a car is from July to October when the dealerships are making room for new inventory or in December when the dealerships are trying to boost year-end sales. Often, there are huge factory and dealer incentives that can save you as much as $6,000.

3. Go prepared. Today’s car buyers have the advantage of the computer-use it! When you walk onto the car lot with a folder where you have collected new car prices from sites such as Invoice Dealers, Edmunds, or My Ride you have already shown that you aren’t going to be “taken in” by a sticker price. In addition, you should know your credit score. Typically, the better your score, the lower your interest rate will be.

4. Don’t wait until your car is ready to die to buy a new one. For most people, it takes at least 2 months to research, shop for and buy a car. If you wait until your car is dying, you may be forced into rushing this process and spending more than was necessary. Protect your interest- never let the dealer know that you are desperate for a car.

5. Never give the dealer your driver’s license or social security number before a test drive. Contrary to what is often said, this is not necessary. Bring along a photo copy of your driver’s license with a note printed on the page stating that they may not run a credit check on you. You may want to include the reminder that the FTC charges $2500 for unauthorized credit checks. Give them the copy, and be sure to get it back when you leave. If a dealership asks for this information as a prerequisite to your test drive, and will only accept the original, leave! A credit check/personal information is not necessary until you have signed the buyer’s order and are doing the financing.

By using the tips, you can protect yourself and ensure that you car buying experience is virtually painless. So, do your homework and then go get your new car!

A leading Auto Transport company has provided the information in this article. For more on this and other Car Shipping nation wide, visit them today.