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The joys of buying a new car are endless, but unfortunately they are equally matched with stress and the unknown. There's not much that you can do to avoid the frustration of buying a new car, like the application process and the inevitable price shock, but there are ways to prepare to make sure you are getting the best deal with the most reliable company. This way you eliminate unwanted anxiety, which will make the process of buying such an important item a smoother one. It's important to be prepared and to be aware of what to expect when buying a car, in order to avoid buying a lemon or paying too much for your new vehicle.

Prior to you researching dealerships, car makes and models, and pricing, you need to prepare your budget to understand what you can afford. Make a list of your bills, from utilities to groceries, and calculate the extras you spend each week on activities. Subtract that from what you make each month to see what is left over. Keep in mind you don't want to spend all of the remainder, as you will need extra for savings, emergencies and other expenses. You never want to spend more than what you have nor everything you make.

Next, you will want to decide what kind of vehicle you need. Crossover vehicles give the space of an SUV on a car frame for easy maneuvering and are best for those who have more may want children. Trucks are ideal for those with a penchant for outdoor activities or who have manual labor jobs. If you have kids, you want to find a larger model vehicle like a mini-van or SUV to ensure there's plenty of room for bags, toys and the like. You should also keep in mind that larger vehicles generally have a larger insurance rate and lower gas mileage, which will mean more money out of your budget. The best way to avoid this is to buy a smaller vehicle or spend a little extra on a hybrid model. Look into the invoice price of a vehicle model to see the true cost, which will help you to understand and negotiate prices at the dealership. If you are aware of what your dealer paid, you can be prepared to talk about the price of the vehicle.

You also want to research the trade-in value of your current vehicle to see how much money you may be entitled to receive, which will help when you go to a dealership to get back the actual worth of your car. Check the blue book value for your car online to get a range of its value.

Research the dealerships before you head to any of the lots. The dealer you choose should be experienced and highly reviewed. A simple search online can reveal a list of dealerships in your area. Look through each to find reviews from happy (or unhappy) customers, which will reveal their reliability and helpfulness. Try not to be dissuaded by advertisements that boast the best prices, the right dealership will let their happy customers speak for them. You also want to compare the interests rates from different dealerships, which can definitely alter the price of a vehicle. If a dealership has a lower cost vehicle, but with a high interest rate, you may actually spend more on the car or truck in the long run. Looking into these details before you by will help you avoid overpaying for your new or used vehicle. You also want to select a car from one of the Cincinnati car dealerships that are equipped with the best financing. Financing directly through the dealership ensures you are getting the best price and the lowest rate possible.

Your last step before you head to a lot is to look into the reliability of a vehicle. Advertisements from these different car companies make a lot of bold statements in regard to power, reliability and mileage, but they are just advertisements. You need to actually look into the value of the car. The only responsibility of Consumer Reports is to check the validity of these claims. How does the car hold up in a accident? Do certain parts continually short out or break? They check all of the common issues of vehicles and provide a list of the most reliable vehicles on the market. It's the only way to find out information on prospective makes and models of cars. There's no other way to tell if a certain car type is known to break down after a certain amount of miles. Having this information can give you the opportunity to make a smart investment at the dealership.

About the Author: Toby B. Jackson is a contributing author who specializes in cars and trucks. He recently purchased a new car from 9857 Kings Auto Road in Cincinnati.