5 Smart Car Buying Tips for 2025

By Ridewise — September 2025

Practical, simple advice to help you buy smarter and avoid costly mistakes

An image of a Nissan car dealership in California, Maryland

Image Credit: By Harrison Keely, via Wikimedia Commons Licensed under (CC BY 4.0.)

Buying a car can feel stressful but with the right plan, you can make steady and confident choices. These car buying tips are very practical, simple and is a well compiled guide for your next / first car purchase. Whether you’re buying new or used, from a dealer or a private seller. Read through the five steps, use the quick checklist, and you’ll leave this post ready to act.

1. Set a realistic budget first

Start with a honest number. That means the monthly payment (if financing) and the total cost of ownership: insurance, fuel, maintenance, and taxes. A quick way to think about it:

Price or monthly payment you can comfortably afford
Insurance estimate (get a quote before you buy)
Fuel and routine maintenance (check the car’s MPG and typical service costs)
Expect depreciation — newer cars lose value faster

If you want a tool to estimate these costs, sites like Consumer Reports have useful ownership-cost guides.

2. Compare rivals — research beats impulse

Don’t fall in love with the first model you see. Compare at least two or three rivals in the same class (e.g., compact sedan, small SUV). Pay attention to:

Real-world reviews and long-term reliability reports
Standard features vs. optional extras
Price ranges and typical discounts or incentives

Helpful sources for comparisons include Edmunds and CarandDriver.

3. Test-drive more than one model

Specs on a page don’t tell you about visibility, seat comfort, or how the brakes feel in day-to-day driving. Bring a list of what you care about (seat height, visibility, road noise, ergonomics) and drive each candidate for at least 20– 30 minutes on roads you know.

Quick checklist for test drives:

Ease of entry and exit
Comfort for driver and regular passengers
Visibility in traffic and when parking
Responsiveness of brakes and steering

4. Check total ownership costs

When buying a car, make to check for expected maintenance intervals, common repairs for the model year, the fuel consumption, and insurance group. Fuel-efficient cars can save thousands over several years, while reliable models can have lower repair bills.

If buying used, run a vehicle history check and pay attention to service records. A clean maintenance history often matters more than a slightly lower sticker price.

5. Negotiate smartly — know the numbers

Understand invoice vs. MSRP, and know the fair market value before you start bargaining. Tips that help:

Shop end-of-month or end-of-quarter for dealer incentives
Be ready to walk away — the best leverage is having options
Negotiate the purchase price first, then discuss trade-in or financing

For negotiation tactics and step-by-step tactics, read guides from trusted car sites or local consumer organizations.

Quick FAQs

How do I negotiate the best deal?: Know the market price, be calm, and get quotes from multiple dealers. Negotiate price before trade-in or financing.
Should I buy new or used?: If you were to buy a new car, you will be getting warranty and latest tech. But if you were to buy a used car you will most certainly be getting lower price, and of cause slower immediate depreciation. So choose based on your budget and how long you’ll keep the car.