by Jennifer Walker

Created on: December 21, 2008   Last Updated: January 21, 2009

Before the Internet, shopping for cars was far less convenient than it is today. Shoppers had to pore through newspaper ads and drive from dealership to dealership to see all the cars that were available in their price range, then test drive them and go through the lengthy credit process. If they did not have the time or patience for that, they simply went to whichever dealership they trusted and bought what the salesman told them to. Today, buyers have the option of shopping for cars online to get the most car for their moneywith the least amount of effort.

Shopping for cars online is not difficult, even for the most basic of Internet users. This guide will help you with the process of researching your next auto purchase on the Internet to make sure you find all the information you need before you buy.

Before You Buy

Before you buy a car, figure out what your budget ishow much you can afford to put down and how much you can comfortably afford for payments. Some financers will help you out by allowing you to pay your down payment in two portions within a couple of weeks. If you have the money to pay for the car, tax, license and dock fees in cash, you will save yourself a lot of money.

If you have a car to trade in, this can serve as part of your down payment as well. You can determine your car's trade-in value by consulting the Kelly Blue Book. This book is available at the library, the bookstore, or to determine your car's value for free, head to www.kbb.com.

You also need to obtain financing. If you belong to a credit union, they usually give the best rates on loans. If you do not, check with your bank. The dealer will have their own finance companies they work with, but they do not usually give the best rate unless you have sterling credit. You can often submit a credit application on the dealer's website and obtain approval before you even go to the lot.

Comparison Shopping

Comparisons between all the major manufacturers' automobiles are available on ConsumerReports.org, and it is arguably the most comprehensive site for shopping for cars online available. The site offers a New Car Buying Kit that includes:

Unlimited New Car Price reports - get the Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price, the price where you should start negotiating Side by side comparisons of the makes and models you choose - sort by ratings, price range or vehicle type Expert Technical Reports - see our Test Driver's reports behind each rating Fully printable New Car Price reports and reviews Save

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