Besides the obvious reason, transportation, are there any other pressing reasons for buying a car? Perhaps it is a necessity like requiring inexpensive transportation to and from work. Or, maybe you are a "stay at home" Mom or Dad and need a vehicle to haul children around to school and various other activities. Regardless of your reason, make certain that purchasing the car is for a valid purpose and not just because you want to outdo "The Joneses."

In this guide we will show you some of the pitfalls to avoid as well as information to make your selection much easier. The following are basic reasons you should consider when making that all important car purchase. Is it a good buy?

The best time period to buy that car you have always dreamed of having is later in the month. Usually, there are numerous rebate programs and bonus offered by month's end based on a dealer's monthly sales quotas. The idea is that, sometimes dealers fall short of meeting their sales objectives. If their performance is assessed by the end of the month this can prove to be good news to most car buyers since dealers now have no choice but to sell vehicles at a price that is lower than their norm. They are pressed to make more sales that will count for their monthly sales and that puts you at an advantage as a buyer.

Peace of mind

Sometimes dealers do a song and dance routine just to make that sale. The result is that often car buyers end up with car features they realize later on they do not really need and a price they actually could not afford. You can avoid this potential stress by always remembering to trust your instincts. If ever you feel in doubt, the answer -- don't -- do not let yourself be pressured to making that purchase now.

This is a common strategy of car dealers wherein they compel the customer to buy that car, now, this moment, today!

Do not forget that you should always sleep on it and then decide. This is a lot better than making your mind up now and forever holding your peace.

First Impression

To quote a common clich?, first impressions usually last. Though not always true, when buying cars, you could get many ideas just by observing how car sales people deal with you. Usually, these non-verbal signals are fairly correct enough enabling you to know what to expect from your car purchase.

If at any time you feel that the person selling you the car is not trustworthy or simply do not like him or her, always remember that you have the option to leave. It is advisable that you do not sell yourself too much. Time is precious, especially yours. So do not waste it. You are always free to politely walk away, anytime, anywhere, and in any way you like it. But if there are not many car dealers in your area, you may want to linger for a few moments more and wait until the negotiations you have with your dealer breaks down and you simply have no option but to run off.

The Invoice Price

Another thing to consider when buying a car is the invoice price. Make sure to ask that you see the invoice. If dealers are working their tails off against it, you have enough reason to believe that the car being offered is an unpleasant deal. Usually, the price on the invoice is the cost the dealer paid the manufacturer for buying the car. This is before any rebates or incentives were included. Once this is known, only then will you have an idea as to how much the dealer could profit from each vehicle sold. Knowing this information could enable one to be more confident then in negotiating the price.

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

In layman's term, this is commonly called the sticker price. This is the price one usually sees in the window of the car that is being sold.

Never ever consider paying the amount stated on the sticker price. This amount is just the starting point to your negotiations with the dealer.

Incentives

There are instances when manufacturers provide the dealers with a little something extra, like money, rebates or a bonus because they are able to sell cars that are either overstocked or undersold. Make sure that before actually purchasing a car, you were able to know if that car you are buying has some dealer incentives attached to it. If so, take off that amount from the car's purchase price and have yourself a very good deal and hopefully, a very good car as well.