Table of contentsChapter 1: Getting startedChapter 1: Getting startedBegin with a budgetSee all stories »Chapter 2: Shop till you dropChapter 2: Shop till you dropResearching vehicles onlineSee all stories »Chapter 3: The buying experienceChapter 3: The buying experience6 car-buying mistakesSee all stories »Chapter 4: The leasing experienceChapter 4: The leasing experienceKeys to leasingSee all stories »Chapter 5: Financing the dealChapter 5: Financing the dealWhere to get the moneySee all stories »Chapter 6: Insuring your vehicleChapter 6: Insuring your vehicleABCs of auto insuranceSee all stories »
There's a wealth of information available on the Internet on every imaginable vehicle, some of it straightforward and some of it opinion. All of it can help you make an informed decision on which vehicle will suit you best.
Many of these sites also help you research a used-car purchase, as well as check out a fair trade-in or direct sale value for your current car.
For those concerned about a vehicle's environmental impact and fuel economy, the Environmental Protection Agency maintains an online database of the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicles, and the California Air Resources Board provides additional information on clean-running vehicles for that state.
Tip: The two best times of the year to purchase a car are the end of December (when dealers are competing for Christmas shoppers) and between July and October (when dealers are making room for new models).
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A little research could save you BIG on interest.