Shopping for a Car This Weekend? We Can Help


August has arrived, and with the sweltering heat nearing its end, you may think your opportunity for sweltering summer deals on a new car may also be nearing its end. Historically, that hasn’t necessarily been the case — just check 2014, when it was the single best month on the calendar year for discounts, or even 2015, when it was in the top three. If you can’t afford to wait for a sizzling end-of-summer Labor Day deal and need to get a new car now, you’re in the right place — especially if you’ve never bought one before. Check our list of links below for a starter’s guide to car shopping and much more.
Related: What’s the Best New-Car Warranty for 2018?
What car should I buy? That depends on a lot of factors, but our reviews can help. Check out our recent additions:
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Pickup trucks: Nissan Frontier
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SUVs: Jeep Cherokee, Lexus RX 350L, Maserati Levante GTS, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Subaru Ascent, Hyundai Kona, Kia Sorento, Nissan Kicks
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Sedans: Mercedes-Benz CLS450, Genesis G70, Lexus ES
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Hatchbacks: Hyundai Veloster
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Fuel sippers: Honda Insight
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Performance cars: Audi TT RS, Subaru BRZ tS
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Wagons: Buick Regal TourX, Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Should I buy new or used? Read up on the pros and cons of each. If you go used, review our used-car buyers’ checklist and consider whether you want a certified pre-owned car.
How much can I afford? Read our primer. Then use our Price Comparison Tool while you shop to find what’s right for you.
Should I finance, lease or pay cash? That depends, but this might help you decide.
How do I get the best lease rate? Bone up on common lease terminology, plus our tips.
How do I get the best financing rate? Our game plan lays out some advice. While you’re at it, here’s what you need to know about auto loans and what you’ll need to get one.
Anything I shouldn’t do when I’m at the dealer? Yep. Avoid these pitfalls.
Should I get an extended warranty? That depends. Here’s what you need to know.
How do I sell or trade in my old car? Learn how to prep your car before you sell it to a dealer, how to trade it in and how to deal with taxes and other considerations. If you still owe money on your old car, read this. Finally, if you want to sell it private party, here’s how to create the picture-perfect ad and how to seal the deal.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Patrick Masterson is Chief Copy Editor at Cars.com. He joined the automotive industry in 2016 as a lifelong car enthusiast and has achieved the rare feat of applying his journalism and media arts degrees as a writer, fact-checker, proofreader and editor his entire professional career. He lives by an in-house version of the AP stylebook and knows where semicolons can go.
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