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To make sure you get the best deal on your car, you should research it beforehand, take it for a thorough test drive, and negotiate a lower price.

Buying a new car can get a bit overwhelming at times—and there’s no better way to overcome a challenge than by putting together a killer checklist.

Car insurance

shopping super app

Jerry

is here with just that. From picking the perfect make and model to signing on the dotted line, this is your go-to car buying checklist.

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Step 1: Research your perfect car

The secret to getting a great deal on the car of your dreams is to prepare before heading into the dealership. We’ll walk you through the key steps:

Choose a make and model. Need something reliable and affordable for your whole family? Check out the

Mazda CX-5

. Looking for a speedy EV? The

Tesla Model 3

might be calling your name.

Decide on a price. Arm yourself with a budget before you enter the dealership. Give a few thousand dollars of wiggle room on both sides so that you’ve got extra flexibility!

Check your credit. Though a score of 660+ should get you a loan, aim for a good credit score of over 700 to get the best terms on financing.

Figure out the financing. It’s time to crunch some numbers! A dealership might give you a special deal, but a direct lender will likely offer a lower interest rate. Don’t forget to factor in long-term costs like gas, maintenance, and insurance.

Get ready for the dealership. Put together a little picnic basket of the essentials: your driver’s license, payment method, proof of income,

proof of insurance

, and your printed-out budget.

MORE:

How to buy a new car

Step 2: Take it for a test drive

Once you’ve assembled your car-buying playbook, it’s time for the fun part:

the test drive

. Here are a few expert tips to take your drive to the next level.

Plan your route. Don’t just hop into the car, roll off the lot, and let your mood guide you! Map a useful course with the salesperson before you leave. Make sure there’s a little bit of everything—highways, hills, open roads, and neighborhoods.

Examine the car, inside and out. Start by checking for any scrapes, bumps, or bruises to the exterior of the car. When you get behind the wheel, pretend you own the car—ask yourself if the seats, steering wheel, and

new car smell

are all up to snuff!

Get a feel for how the car drives. Familiarize yourself with the vehicle as you go, with a special focus on handling, accelerating, braking, visibility, and the features that come with the car.

Key Takeaway For a successful test drive, inspect the car thoroughly, then imagine that you own the car when you get behind the wheel.

Step 3: Negotiate the best price

If your test drive was top-notch and you’re ready to take the car home, you might have to negotiate with a salesperson. We know that negotiation can be stressful, but don’t panic just yet!

Come prepared. Nothing takes the stress out of a negotiation like knowing the fair market value of your car. If you’ve shopped around and you’ve got a great idea of what the car should be worth, you can negotiate confidently and make the conversation productive and—dare we say—even pleasant.

Make the first offer. A

recent study from Harvard

describes the “anchoring effect”—the tendency of a person to cling to the first piece of information they hear. Offer a reasonable price that’s a bit below fair market value, and you’ll have a leg up on the negotiation.

Be ready for a counter-offer. Now, the pendulum is swinging! After a little back-and-forth, you should aim to settle on a price that is at or just below

market value

Reach an agreement. Of course, if you’d rather avoid the hassle of negotiation, you can simply agree to the salesperson’s price. Whichever path you take, be sure to read the fine print of the agreement before you sign.

Don’t get upsold! At the end of the deal, the salesperson will probably try to sell you upgrades and bonus features that you don’t really need. Stick to your budget and politely decline.

MORE:

Can you negotiate car insurance prices?

How to get affordable insurance for your new car

Phew, you made it! After all that work to get an awesome deal on your new car, we’re sure that the last thing you want to do is comb through the internet for the right insurance. Why not take that weight off your shoulders by letting

Jerry

do it for you?

Jerry is a

licensed broker

and shopping app that will get you the best rates in the blink of an eye. After downloading the app and signing up (it only takes 45 seconds!), just tap your top policy and we’ll help you switch—no long forms or pushy salesmen.

Here’s the icing on the cake: the average Jerry user saves $887 on car insurance!

“I would 11/10 recommend
Jerry
. I was originally quoted $700+ for insurance for my new car, but by using Jerry I got my payments down to $320 a month. They also have a great support team ready to answer any questions!” —Tobias F.

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FAQs

What’s a good credit score for buying a car?

Though a score that’s over 660 will get you solid terms on a new car loan, you should aim for a score that’s above 700 to get the best interest rate.

How do I make the most of a test drive?

Here are the three steps for maximizing your test drive: carefully plan your route, inspect the interior and exterior of the car, and imagine you own the car while driving.