How to Find the Best Car Dealerships

When shopping for a new vehicle, finding the right automotive retailer can make all the difference. Before you settle on a dealer, it's important to do some research to ensure that your experience will be pleasant, hassle-free, and as affordable as possible. Here are some key tactics to keep in mind as you're gathering information about car dealerships in your area.

1. If you've already decided on the type of vehicle you'd like to buy, you can usually find reputable car dealerships through the manufacturer's website. Most manufacturers will have a search function that provides you with a list of relevant businesses in your area, and they'll most likely make note of which ones offer the best service to customers. Even if there are a number of local dealers to choose from, you should be able to see which ones are considered the very best.

2. AutoTrader.com has a "Find Your Dealer" tool that allows you to find local sellers based on a unique set of criteria. If you're searching for a very specific type of vehicle-for example, a used conversion van from the nineties-you can tailor your search to only include car dealerships that have your desired vehicle in their inventory. AutoTrader's search utility also allows you to find current special offers, such as manufacturer rebates and incentives. You can also narrow your search to include only businesses that offer certain financing options.