For most people, a vehicle is often their first major purchase. Though car buying can be exciting, when it comes to dealing with auto loans, credit, and other financial aspects, it can be quite intimidating. Fear not — as long as you’re realistic with budgeting and are planning carefully, you should be fine and end up acquiring a great first vehicle.

Used car sales have been on the rise for seven consecutive years. Across the country, used car dealerships are advertising, offering, and selling plenty of high-quality, affordable, pre-owned vehicles to individual and families alike.

Pre owned cars actually make up approximately 75% of all automotive sales in the United States. New cars are great, but not everyone can shell out upwards of $30,000 for a new ride — that’s where pre owned vehicles come into play.

Finding the perfect car can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. There are so many options to choose from and no matter how many used cars you see, there will be pros and cons to each model. Though used car dealers are there to help make the buying process as simple as possible, you still need to be prepared before you head to the lot. Here are a few of the most important things to do before you start working with an auto sales expert.

The average age of a vehicle currently on the road in the United States is about 11.6 years. Though buying new cars is certainly a good option if you can afford it, you should never feel bad about purchasing or owning a used vehicle. They are quality automobiles, too.

Owning pre owned vehicles is a great way to have multiple reliable cars while saving money. Unfortunately, since most used cars have had an average of three owners, you need to focus even more on vehicle maintenance in order to get the most out of your car.

When it comes to car shopping, it’s best to visit reputable new and used car dealerships for the best new or pre owned vehicles on the market. There are plenty of backend ways to find vehicles, but you could end up spending a lot of money on an automobile that won’t last very long. Working with professional auto dealers will help you better understand the auto sales market, leading you to drive off the lot in a high-quality vehicle instead of a total lemon.

If you’re thinking about buying a new car this year, don’t make the mistake of shelling out a significant amount of money for a vehicle that you could acquire for a lot less. Your best bet, especially if you’re looking for a winter vehicle, is to check out used car dealerships and inquire about the used car sales on the lot.

Buying a car can be a little intimidating if you’re not working with a reputable new or used car dealership. Luckily, there are plenty of great options on the market that you and your family will love. Especially for used cars, since these vehicles are extremely affordable and rarely sacrifice any quality since automakers have been utilizing top-of-the-line auto technology for the past decade or so.

Though used vehicles sales have been on the rise for the last seven consecutive years, the auto market, in general, has seen a recent dip.