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What You Need to Know Before Car Shopping Today: 8/26/17

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CARS.COM — As the heat ebbs, school starts and what’s left of summer begins to dwindle, the urge to find a deal on a new car may be on the rise — and with old model years being flushed out for new ones ahead of a big Labor Day weekend push, the time has rarely been better. But if you’re not sure where to start, we can help — check out our links below.

Related: More Car-Buying News

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

Anything I should wait for? The redesigned 2018 Toyota Camry is currently hitting dealers, and Ford has some updates on the F-150 coming this fall.

Which cars have the best deals right now? Check out our top deals for August, and get ahead of the crowds with our best deals for Labor Day weekend, too. As always, your discounts may vary, so check with 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.

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.

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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