Buying a car can be overwhelming. The sheer number of options, from models and brands to features and colors, can bring your search to a standstill.

But there are smart ways to narrow your car choices. By determining your budget, getting a handle on your needs, doing substantial research and taking advantage of opportunities in the marketplace, you can filter through hundreds of options and make informed decisions.

It requires some work. And patience. And—perhaps most important—the ability to be honest with yourself. But buyers who are willing to persevere can move efficiently through the process and make a solid choice. Here are some steps you can take to make your process more manageable.

Get Pre-Qualified and Set Your Budget

Determining how much you can spend on your next car is the single quickest way to narrow down your car choices.

Looking at cars that you cannot afford is a waste of time. It can lead to frustration or, worse, bad decisions. A car that strains your budget will cause problems down the line, making other financial decisions more difficult. An affordable car can have the opposite effect, giving you more options.

One quick way to start is to get pre-qualified for auto financing with Credit Acceptance. There is no impact to your credit score to see how much you’re prequalified for, and will help you build a vehicle budget that makes sense for you.

With the information you obtain from pre-qualification, along with information on your income and expenses, your budget should come into focus. Determine how much you may be able to spend on the car overall and how much you might spend on a monthly payment. Our Monthly Car Payment Calculator can help.

The answers will determine whether you can afford a new vehicle or whether it is more prudent to shop in the used market. But there is more work ahead to truly narrow down your choices.

Determine Your Needs

The car market is massive and you need to know where to focus. The best way to do this is to ask yourself a question and demand an honest answer: How will you use your next car?

The answer to that question—the honest answer—is a powerful step toward narrowing down choices.

If you are a commuter, you’ll want a car that gets excellent gas mileage, perhaps even a hybrid or electric vehicle. If you have a large family, perhaps it's an SUV or a minivan. None of these may be the ride you envision when you think about your dream car. But being realistic about your needs can give your search much-needed direction.

Knowing that you need a cost-effective car or a larger vehicle will automatically steer your search to the right segment of the market for you. You can further narrow choices by getting more specific about your needs. Do you have a specific number for gas mileage in mind? Do you need to carry a certain number of passengers? Do you need a traditional trunk, or can you drive a hatchback?

The more you know, the more you can narrow your choices. Your research will then refine that search even further, directing you to specific brands and models—and ultimately your next car.

Do Serious Research

If you know the type of car that you need and how much you may be able to spend, you can begin to do research on which brands and models may be the right fit.

Take this part of the job seriously. Reading reviews, comparisons and recommendations will give you a good sense of what’s available. Looking at what local dealerships and internet sites have listed for sale, and the prices they are asking, will give you a sense of what your budget could buy.

For example, if you know you want a used pickup truck with four doors and four-wheel drive, you are likely to find that the Ford F150 and the Dodge Ram 1500 are both popular models. You can then get a sense of what these may cost and know whether that fits your budget. If so, you can start looking in earnest. If not, you can research less expensive options, such as an older model or a truck without four-wheel drive.

The more you read and shop, the more you know. That knowledge will narrow down choices and shape your decision. It will also make you more confident when you negotiate a purchase.

Take Advantage of Opportunities

When you have one or two models that meet your needs, you can start shopping in earnest, focusing on specific cars that you might actually purchase. You can look online and visit dealerships. This is where patience comes in.

If you have done your research correctly, you will know what a good, realistic deal looks like. By monitoring the market closely over time, you can find the car that matches those numbers. You can also expand your search area, to increase your chances.

If you are ready to get started, fill out the form to get gre-qualified with Credit Acceptance. It will help you establish a budget, narrow down choices and begin your search right now.