Car buying guides

Start with the complete process

If you are new to car shopping, begin with the complete used car buying guide. It covers budgeting, research, vehicle history, inspection, negotiation, financing and paperwork.

Research before you shop

Decide what you need, set a realistic total budget and compare several vehicles before contacting sellers. Looking at the full cost of ownership can be more useful than comparing sticker prices alone.

Inspect before you commit

For a used vehicle, use the used car inspection checklist and arrange an independent mechanical inspection when practical.

Separate price from financing

Ask for the vehicle price and out-the-door amount before getting focused on monthly payments. Then compare financing terms using APR, loan term and total cost.