New cars aren’t the greatest investments. In fact, they lose 60% of their value in the first four years of ownership, yet many people continue to still buy them without thinking a thing of it. If you do decide to buy a new car, you shouldn’t just head down to the local dealer and declare “I want that one!” Instead, follow these tips to make sure you’re getting the right new car and that you are getting it at the best price.

If you’re going to finance your purchase, setup the financing ahead of time. Head down to your local bank or credit union and get a loan setup. You will almost always get a better interest rate than if you were to visit a dealer. Your pre-setup financing will tell you how much of a car you can afford, and what monthly payment you’ll have to budget from.

When you’re out looking for a car, go to car lots and dealerships after their business hours. This way you’ll be able to look around without being given high-pressure sales techniques. Choose two or three different models of vehicle that you would be interested in, and then compare and contrast the features, reliability, cost of insurance, and the price of the vehicle. When you want to test-drive a vehicle, just go rent a car of the same model for a couple of days. It’ll be very inexpensive to do, and give you plenty of time to try out the model of car that you’re interested in.

In order to find a good dealer to buy a new car from, use the internet to see which dealer in your area will likely give you the best deal. Almost all auto dealers have their inventory online. When you do settle on a dealer, make sure you’re going to a no-haggle dealership. In almost every case, you’ll save money and the process of buying a new vehicle will be a lot faster and a lot easier.

When you go into the dealer to sign the paperwork, read the entire purchase agreement front-to-back. If it is not what you agreed to previously by phone or in person do not go through with the deal. If they’re messing you on the paperwork, they don’t deserve your business.

Finally, remember that the best way to protect yourself in a dealership is be willing to walk out. If they’re being unreasonable, just leave. There are dozens of other dealerships in your area that will probably provide you a better experience and give you a better deal.