Home›Buying a Car
Buying a Car Edition

Buying a Car

Everything US adults need to know before purchasing a vehicle.

48 stories

Browse by Sub-Topic

Financing a Car

Financing a Car

New to car loans? Learn how auto financing works, what lenders look at, and what every term in your …

16 stories
Choosing the Right Car

Choosing the Right Car

Never bought a car before? This guide covers needs assessment, budget planning, test drives, and pap…

16 stories
Negotiating & Closing

Negotiating & Closing

Paint protection, gap insurance, nitrogen tires—each add-on a dealer offers deserves scrutiny. Here'…

16 stories
Auto Financing From the Ground Up
Featured

Auto Financing From the Ground Up

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 8 min read · Nov 28, 2025

Latest in Buying a Car

Financing a Car Before You Sign: A Car Financing Readiness Checklist

Before You Sign: A Car Financing Readiness Checklist

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Jul 2, 2024
Financing a Car Buying Cash vs. Financing: A Side-by-Side Look at the Real Trade-Offs

Buying Cash vs. Financing: A Side-by-Side Look at the Real Trade-Offs

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Jan 16, 2025
Financing a Car Dealer Financing vs. Bank or Credit Union Loans

Dealer Financing vs. Bank or Credit Union Loans

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Jul 26, 2026
Financing a Car Financing a Used Car: Where the Rules Change

Financing a Used Car: Where the Rules Change

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 8 min · Jan 16, 2025
Financing a Car GAP Insurance: What It Covers and When It's Worth Considering

GAP Insurance: What It Covers and When It's Worth Considering

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Feb 11, 2025
Financing a Car How Your Credit Score Shapes the Loan You're Offered

How Your Credit Score Shapes the Loan You're Offered

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Jul 18, 2024
Financing a Car Preapproval Before You Shop: What It Does—and Doesn't—Guarantee

Preapproval Before You Shop: What It Does—and Doesn't—Guarantee

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Jan 13, 2023
Financing a Car Rate Shopping for Auto Loans Without Hurting Your Credit

Rate Shopping for Auto Loans Without Hurting Your Credit

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Apr 18, 2024
Financing a Car Reading an Auto Loan Offer Without Missing the Fine Print

Reading an Auto Loan Offer Without Missing the Fine Print

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Dec 7, 2024
Financing a Car Refinancing an Auto Loan: When It Makes Sense and How to Approach It

Refinancing an Auto Loan: When It Makes Sense and How to Approach It

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Jul 18, 2025
Financing a Car Short Loan Terms vs. Long Loan Terms: The Real Cost Difference

Short Loan Terms vs. Long Loan Terms: The Real Cost Difference

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 5 min · Jul 4, 2025
Financing a Car The Auto Loan Terms Glossary Every Car Buyer Should Bookmark

The Auto Loan Terms Glossary Every Car Buyer Should Bookmark

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · May 1, 2026
Financing a Car The Negotiation Mistakes That Cost Car Buyers the Most

The Negotiation Mistakes That Cost Car Buyers the Most

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Apr 12, 2023
Financing a Car The Variables That Move Auto Loan Interest Rates

The Variables That Move Auto Loan Interest Rates

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Dec 9, 2025
Financing a Car What Buyers Get Wrong About 0% APR Financing

What Buyers Get Wrong About 0% APR Financing

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Aug 21, 2023
Choosing the Right Car Car Buying From Scratch: A First-Timer's Complete Walkthrough

Car Buying From Scratch: A First-Timer's Complete Walkthrough

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 9 min · Jun 13, 2025
Choosing the Right Car Every Term You'll Encounter on a Car Lot or in a Finance Office

Every Term You'll Encounter on a Car Lot or in a Finance Office

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 5 min · Jul 9, 2026
Choosing the Right Car Front-Wheel, Rear-Wheel, All-Wheel, and Four-Wheel Drive Explained

Front-Wheel, Rear-Wheel, All-Wheel, and Four-Wheel Drive Explained

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 8 min · Jul 28, 2023
Choosing the Right Car Gas, Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, or Electric: Understanding the Powertrain Spectrum

Gas, Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, or Electric: Understanding the Powertrain Spectrum

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Jul 29, 2025
Choosing the Right Car How Towing and Payload Ratings Work — and Why Getting Them Wrong Is Dangerous

How Towing and Payload Ratings Work — and Why Getting Them Wrong Is Dangerous

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 8 min · Jan 28, 2025
Choosing the Right Car How to Read a Vehicle History Report Without Missing the Red Flags

How to Read a Vehicle History Report Without Missing the Red Flags

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Mar 26, 2026
Choosing the Right Car Leasing vs. Buying: The Trade-offs Most Shoppers Overlook

Leasing vs. Buying: The Trade-offs Most Shoppers Overlook

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Jul 12, 2026
Choosing the Right Car New vs. Used vs. Certified Pre-Owned: What Each Label Really Guarantees

New vs. Used vs. Certified Pre-Owned: What Each Label Really Guarantees

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Nov 14, 2024
Choosing the Right Car Questions to Ask Yourself Before Settling on a Vehicle Class

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Settling on a Vehicle Class

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Mar 6, 2024
Choosing the Right Car Safety Ratings Decoded: NHTSA and IIHS Scores Side by Side

Safety Ratings Decoded: NHTSA and IIHS Scores Side by Side

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 5 min · Sep 18, 2023
Choosing the Right Car Sedan, SUV, Truck, or Minivan: Matching Vehicle Type to Your Daily Life

Sedan, SUV, Truck, or Minivan: Matching Vehicle Type to Your Daily Life

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · May 30, 2025
Choosing the Right Car The Assumptions That Send Car Shoppers Home with the Wrong Vehicle

The Assumptions That Send Car Shoppers Home with the Wrong Vehicle

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Sep 8, 2024
Choosing the Right Car The Real Cost of Owning a Car Beyond the Sticker Price

The Real Cost of Owning a Car Beyond the Sticker Price

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 9 min · Nov 13, 2024
Choosing the Right Car Vehicle Features That Sound Essential but Rarely Get Used

Vehicle Features That Sound Essential but Rarely Get Used

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Mar 28, 2025
Choosing the Right Car What 'Reliability' Actually Means When You're Shopping for a Car

What 'Reliability' Actually Means When You're Shopping for a Car

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 9 min · Dec 10, 2024
Choosing the Right Car Why Depreciation Should Shape Your Vehicle Decision More Than It Usually Does

Why Depreciation Should Shape Your Vehicle Decision More Than It Usually Does

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Nov 5, 2024
Negotiating & Closing Add-Ons That Inflate the Final Price and How to Evaluate Each One

Add-Ons That Inflate the Final Price and How to Evaluate Each One

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Sep 7, 2024
Negotiating & Closing Before You Walk Into a Dealership: A Preparation Checklist for Buyers

Before You Walk Into a Dealership: A Preparation Checklist for Buyers

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · May 16, 2023
Negotiating & Closing Car Negotiation from Start to Finish: A Complete Buyer's Roadmap

Car Negotiation from Start to Finish: A Complete Buyer's Roadmap

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Oct 2, 2025
Negotiating & Closing Closing the Deal: What to Review Before Signing Anything

Closing the Deal: What to Review Before Signing Anything

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Aug 31, 2025
Negotiating & Closing Concessions Buyers Give Away Without Knowing It

Concessions Buyers Give Away Without Knowing It

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Nov 9, 2024
Negotiating & Closing Dealer Financing vs. Outside Financing: The Tradeoffs Buyers Should Weigh

Dealer Financing vs. Outside Financing: The Tradeoffs Buyers Should Weigh

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Nov 5, 2023
Negotiating & Closing Dealer Tactics That Move Money Around Without Changing the Total

Dealer Tactics That Move Money Around Without Changing the Total

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 5 min · Oct 13, 2023
Negotiating & Closing Invoice Price, MSRP, and Market Value: Why They're Not the Same Number

Invoice Price, MSRP, and Market Value: Why They're Not the Same Number

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Nov 13, 2024
Negotiating & Closing MSRP vs. Invoice Price: Which Number Should You Actually Negotiate From?

MSRP vs. Invoice Price: Which Number Should You Actually Negotiate From?

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Jan 4, 2023
Negotiating & Closing Negotiating Out-of-the-Door Price vs. Monthly Payment: A Critical Distinction

Negotiating Out-of-the-Door Price vs. Monthly Payment: A Critical Distinction

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Dec 26, 2024
Negotiating & Closing Negotiating a Car Deal Entirely Online or by Phone

Negotiating a Car Deal Entirely Online or by Phone

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 6 min · Apr 17, 2025
Negotiating & Closing Negotiation Myths Car Buyers Still Believe

Negotiation Myths Car Buyers Still Believe

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 8 min · Sep 12, 2025
Negotiating & Closing Reading the Room: How to Time Your Dealership Visit for More Negotiating Leverage

Reading the Room: How to Time Your Dealership Visit for More Negotiating Leverage

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 9 min · Mar 15, 2024
Negotiating & Closing The Anatomy of a Car Deal: What Every Line on a Dealer's Worksheet Means

The Anatomy of a Car Deal: What Every Line on a Dealer's Worksheet Means

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 8 min · Jul 26, 2023
Negotiating & Closing What the Finance and Insurance Office Is Actually Selling You

What the Finance and Insurance Office Is Actually Selling You

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 8 min · Apr 8, 2025
Negotiating & Closing Why Your Trade-In and New Car Price Should Be Two Separate Conversations

Why Your Trade-In and New Car Price Should Be Two Separate Conversations

By Buying a Car Editorial Team · 7 min · Oct 28, 2023