Helpful hints: shopping for a car online

With a down economy and struggling domestic automakers, now may be the perfect time to consider investing in a new vehicle. Gone are the days when entire weekends were spent scouring newspaper ads, pacing through endless car lots and haggling with aggressive salesmen.

The Internet has changed the game of car sales. Now you'll find countless websites devoted to this industry where you can browse, compare prices and even purchase your vehicle. If you're new to high-speed Internet, online car shopping can be understandably overwhelming. Read below for some useful tips on where to go and what to look for when researching cars on the Internet.

Things to do before you get online:

Decide what you're looking for: Do you want a new car? Used? What color and what type of interior? Are you looking for a manual or automatic transmission? These and other similar questions are important to have in mind before you begin your research.

Pick a price point: Depending on your financial situation, it can be helpful to have a number in mind when you begin your search of how much you'll be willing to spend.

Know the deals in your area: Use traditional sources like commercials and newspaper ads to gather information about what specials you can find in your area. You can use these later to compare real-life pricing to what you find online.

When you get online:

Check online classifieds: These sites, such as Craigslist, are particularly useful when shopping for a pre-owned vehicle as they allow users to post listings (complete with photos) of their for-sale cars. Once you find one you're interested in, simply contact the seller via e-mail to make a deal or set up a viewing.

Try wholesaler sites: Retailers such as CARMAX list thousands of cars online, all of which you can easily search with your own specifications. CARMAX even offers a "buy now" option that allows customers to purchase a car online and have it transported to their location.

Browse dealer inventory: Traditional dealers have begun listing their inventory online, often adding pictures and "test drive" features. This is a great way to get information about what is physically available in your area and even set up an appointment with a sales associate.

Check Kelly Blue Book: To get accurate data about what the car you've found is really worth, go to www.kbb.com and enter in the details. It's helpful to have an objective source's appraisal in mind when making a final decision on your purchase.

If you do decide to buy online, or if you are sharing any private information through your computer, make sure your Internet connection is secure. If you live in a rural area and are using dial-up, you may want to upgrade to satellite Internet. A high-speed satellite Internet connection will give you the speed you need to "test-drive" your virtual vehicles and the security you want when purchasing online.

Buying a car is stressful, so why not use the Internet to make it simpler and more hassle-free? With the abundance of available inventory, there's no reason not to use the Web for your benefit, before, during and after you buy your vehicle. Even if you're new to the Internet you'll be amazed by the options and advantages that come with shopping for a new or used car online.

Courtesy of ARAcontent