Avoid being taking for a ride

BEFORE you go out shopping, take the time to do your homework. Decide how much you can afford to spend and that will tell you which cars will fall within your budget. From there you can research each of the cars by reading about them, talking to mechanics, friends, relatives or anyone you know who has experience with any of the cars you're considering. That should give you enough information to be confident when you go shopping. When you do take to the road, take a friend along for support. Don't rush in, shop around and compare cars, prices and the service you get from sales people. Never buy a car without driving it. Make sure the radio is turned off while you're driving it so you can listen for noises. And ask for a service record. Ask plenty of questions, and if the sales person is treating you like a fool, walk away and refuse to deal with them. Remember, you are in the driving seat.