Shopping around is always a great way to start, don't listen to the sales men/women who will push to have you buy on the spot and don't ever let them pressure you to sign when you are not ready.
Buying a car is not something as simple as buying a dress or shoes where if you are not happy with it, you can simply return it for your money back.
Here are great tips I found which will help you as they helped me make a good decision when it comes to buying my first car.
Tips for First-Time Car Buyers:
1. Slow Down!
Approach the car buying business like you approach a very appealing new date. You know how careful, even hesitant you can be when you see a fascinating stranger? That attitude works really well when it comes to the car business!
2. Don't depend on the seller of a vehicle or vehicle financing to "educate" you about their business.
Lots of car people are going to want to spend time with you the moment they think you have money, or have a parent who will help you get your first car. But even the most honest seller can't really help you. So what's the message? Don't even go near a car lot until you've done your homework!
3. Don't think you have to spend a fortune to get a good car.
You don't. Many times, the best car can cost a couple of thousand or less. But there are two rules in the car business that make it very hard to buy a good, cheap car:
Most cheap cars are junk, especially if you buy them from a dealer. The dealers who exclusively sell "cheap" cars are often a lot less reputable than other used-car outlets. Plus, these sellers usually try to make too much money on their customers.
Looks don't tell you anything about the reliability of a vehicle. This is true about all vehicles, but it's more real if you're looking for a really inexpensive car.
So, how do you buy a cheap car the right way?
First, you buy it from an individual, if at all possible. (And not one selling on the curb of a vacant lot—usually a con.)
Second, you buy the simplest car you can find. For instance, if you're buying a fifteen-year-old car, don't buy one with lots of options that can break, like power windows.
4. Never buy a vehicle without checking out the cost of collision and liability insurance before you buy it.
Did you know that in many states it can cost you five times as much to insure an eight-cylinder 2-door sports car than it can to insure an identical car with a four-cylinder engine? Sellers of cars generally don't tell you things like that. FoolProof can tell you what affects the cost of insurance.
5. If your first car is going to also be your first major credit experience, don't blow it!
How you pay your first loan—even if that loan is in your parent's name or guaranteed by your parents—will affect your ability to get credit for decades. Do this right, and you'll never regret it. "Right" means never financing without comparing the dealer's contract to this credit union's contract. We'll tell you how to do that in a minute.
6. Never buy your car on your first visit. All dealerships want to sell you the first time you visit them.
Why? They make a lot more money if you don't have time to compare their deal.
7. Never fall for "spot" delivery.
When dealers are making a lot of money on you, they just love to send you home with the car the minute you sign the paperwork. Don't fall for it! Spot delivery means your emotions, not your wallet, are ruling the transaction.
8. Never buy a used car without having it checked out by a mechanic.
Most first-time car buyers spend all their money on a car, then don't have repair money for the almost inevitable problems any used car will have. Don't be that dumb: find out what's wrong with the vehicle before you buy, then budget the money you'll need to put it in good working order.
9. If you're buying used, never automatically finance with the dealer.
Here's a way to always know who is cheaper: Insist that the dealer gives you a copy of their finance contract and bring it to this credit union. If our contract isn't cheaper, we'll tell you.
10. Remember that the price of the car isn't where most sellers make their profit.
The profit is made on add-on charges. Everybody will sell you a car cheap, new or used, if you know how to ask. But those same sellers can make thousands on you in other charges. We won't let that happen.
11. Talk to us before you shop.
The minute you start thinking about new wheels, stop by one of our branches. We'll help you plan your auto attack.
12. Research your options.
See if there's more sources you need before you can buy yourself that car, don't rely on just one.
more here http://cuhq.foolproofonline.info/bayportcu/cars/12tips/
As you can see there are many things to consider when you want to buy your first car and most importantly it's to protect yourself from the hawks in dealership as well other places that wish to take advantage of you and take your money.
Hope you find this helpful
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