If you would like to buy a new car, but aren't sure if you have enough money, then you aren't alone. Many people today are in dire economic straights, so it's not surprising that shopping for something big like a car causes so much fear and trepidation among many people just like you. However, there are some ways that you can save a lot of money on either new car or a used car. That way you can get what you need without going broke or going into debt. And that is exactly what you are going to learn in this article.

The first thing you need to do is decide what kind of car you want before you even leave your house. This is the biggest mistake most people make. If you walk onto a car lot with only a vague idea of what you want, you'll likely spend way too much money. However, if you have an exact idea of the car you want, then you won't spend one dime too much.

Of course, this requires you decide on whether you want a new car or a used car. Since you are primarily concerned with saving money, buying a used car would probably be the best choice. If you are buying a used car then, you've got to decide if you are going to buy it from a dealer, or buy it from a private party. Both have their advantages.

If you buy from a dealer, then you will likely get some kind of warranty. Of course, the drawback is that you will have to pay a little bit more. Buying from a dealer means they've put some money into the car, from which they hope to get paid back for. But if you are worried about the car's future, then buying from a dealer may be your best bet.

On the other hand, if you are buying a car that has a good track record for lasting a long time, then buying from a dealer may not be necessary. So long as you find a trustworthy private party, that has all the service history of the car in question, you might be in pretty good shape.

Buying from a private party will take some work on your part. You're going to have to figure out exactly what kind of car you want, and what kind of history is acceptable. No accidents, a maximum number of miles per year, as well as a good history of maintenance. An oil change every three to five thousand miles, and no more than fifteen thousand miles a year would be a good start. You should also require that the seller can document all of this.

When these things in mind, it's now time to start making some phone calls. Just keep in mind that you aren't the only one looking for a car. So if you find one you want, you'd better be prepared to buy it, before somebody else does. Happy shopping.