Car shopping can be a really daunting process for anyone. This is made worse if you’re cash-strapped, are shy when it comes to negotiations and of course, if you don’t know anything about cars. While this article won’t tell you how to find your next car or what to look for it will help you keep calm during the process and hopefully have an enjoyable experience picking out your next purchase.

When you don’t know anything about cars

When you don’t know anything about cars, there’s nothing worse than car shopping. There are a few steps though to make the process easier and less stressful.

1. If you have friends or family that know about cars, get their advice about the makes and models you’re considering. Don’t simply ask them what cars they think you should buy, instead do a little research first and pick out your top must-haves in a car plus some optional extras you might like. This way they’ll be able to help you choose based on YOUR requirements, not theirs.
2. Read all the car reviews you can get your hands on about the makes and models you’re considering. Make sure the reviews are unbiased (not sponsored or advertisements) to keep things fair.
3. Go for a test drive. Go to the nearest dealer with the models you’re considering and take each one for a test drive. On your first visit you should have no intention of buying. Just take them out for a spin and decide which makes handle better.

When you’re shy

When you’re shy or even a bit of a push-over, going shopping knowing that you’ll need to negotiate and haggle for the price you want can be really scary. In this case it’s always a good idea to have a game plan before you arrive at the dealers. Here are my top tips when you’re scared to negotiate a fair price or feel like you could be taken advantage of:

• Have a game plan. Know what you’re going to say before you meet with the seller and don’t let yourself give-in too easily. Really think about your decision before agreeing to pay something you’re not comfortable with.
• Practice your game plan and negotiation skills on someone else. Yes, seriously.
• Take a friend with you for support. When you’re shy or nervous it’s always a good idea to bring a friend who can help you get through it and keep you calm. Better yet if your friend knows a thing or 2 about cars and can help you negotiate a fair deal.

When you’re cash-strapped

When you’re cash-strapped making a big purchase can be intimidating. It can have a huge impact on your life and finance, so you need to make a good decision, not just about your budget but about the car your choose so the money you fork over is well worth it. Here are my tips for when you need a new car and you’re not exactly rolling in it:

• Buy used. Purchasing a used car will cost just a fraction of the price of a new one, even one of the same model and year. Knowing that you haven’t paid top dollar, will certainly make your shopping experience a more enjoyable one.
• While it may be easier to get a loan from your usual banking institution, instead you should shop around and really look at the fine print if you know you’re not going to be able to pay it back right away.
• Set realistic expectations for yourself. Don’t expect to find the perfect car. Instead, opt for good enough and realise your car is just a means of getting from point A to point B. Don’t buy for looks or other silly wants. Only pay for the features you’ll really need over the long run so you won’t need to purchase another vehicle any time soon.