Car Buying Checklist

Stay focused and organized with the NewCars.com Car Buying Checklist. Keep track of everything you need to know when buying your new car.

• Get your current car's trade-in value with our Black Book widget.
• If you opt to sell your old car yourself, find out its Private Party price and list it on Cars.com.
• Get a free credit report so you'll know if you qualify for lower-interest financing.
• Check with your bank or credit union for their best loan rates so you can compare them with the dealer's best rate.
• Calculate the monthly payment you can afford — 20% of your monthly income is a good starting point.
• Figure out how much cash you can put into a down payment — remember, larger the down payment, the lower your monthly payments will be.
• Use our Affordability Calculator to determine the price range of new car you can afford, based on all of the above data.
• Explore the vehicles in your price range using our fun and interactive Car Chooser.
• Search our Rebate Center to discover available rebates or financing and leasing deals on the cars you like.
• Check whether you'll save more money with a rebate or low finance offer using our Cash Back vs. Low APR Calculator.
• Once you have settled on a car or two, go for a test drive to make sure they're right for you. But remember, DO NOT start negotiating yet.
• Get dealers to compete for your business by requesting free Internet Price Quotes. Often, you can complete your negotiations from the comfort of your home without even stepping onto a lot.
• Visit the dealership, sign the papers, and drive home in your new car!

 Download the Car Buying Checklist