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Want to Buy a Car This Weekend? Read Here First

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The middle of September hits this weekend, and if you decided mid-month that the time to buy a new car is now, we’re here to help you avoid waiting another week. Below is a roundup of stories on how to decide what kind of car you want to buy, how to get a deal on that car, and reviews and videos of some of the latest cars to hit the market. Wait no further: Your car-shopping answers are below.

Related: Which Dealerships Do It Right? Car Brands Ranked for Customer Service

What car should I buy? That depends on a lot of factors, and our reviews can help. Check out our recent additions:

Pickup trucks: Ram 3500 Tradesman, GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax, GMC Sierra 2500 AT4, Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, Ford F-250 Super Duty FX4 Off-Road
SUVs: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Ford Edge, Volvo XC60, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Volvo XC90, Lincoln Aviator Plug-In Hybrid, Lincoln Aviator, Land Rover Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid, Mazda CX-9, Audi Q3, Cadillac XT6, BMW X4
Sedans: Kia Optima, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Versa
Hatchback: Kia Soul
Hybrid: Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Wagons: Subaru Outback, Volvo V60 Cross Country
Electric:
Nissan Leaf
Performance:
BMW 850i, Lexus RC F Track Edition, Lexus RC 300 F Sport

Which cars have the best deals right now? Check out our top deals for September. As always, your discounts may vary, so see your dealer for specifics.

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.

Chief Copy Editor
Patrick Masterson

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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