In order to buy a car online you need first and foremost do your home work and learn all about online pricing, dealers tricks, sales strategies and more. Know how to get the best price and ensure that you are not cheated and get what you pay for. Remember knowledge is the greatest tool.

1. First and foremost determine what make of car you would like and whether or not it will fulfill your needs. Ask yourself: what am I going to use the car for; how many people will be traveling in the car; how much can I afford in terms of buying costs and running costs. Remember apart form the on road price you will need to spend for insurance, accessories, licenses, and more.

2. Once you know which model you want log on to the manufacturer's site and determine all the details of the model as well as specifications and pricing. Read as many reviews on the car you like as possible and note down what the pros and cons of the car are. Reliable reviews on the web can be found at sites like www.caranddriver.com .

3. Get quotes for the same model from more than one dealer and make a comparison of what is on offer. Websites like www.edmunds.com give MSRPs, invoice prices, true market values and more.

4. Work out in detail what the car is going to cost in totality. That is on road price, dealers charges, insurance, taxes and so on. Find out whether you can buy the car by availing a loan and how much the loan will cover. To get the best rate you must provide the lender with your credit score and history and establish your credentials. There are tools on the internet that enable quick computation of loan options and comparisons.

5. Make a list of questions you need answers for from the dealer such as warranties, delivery costs, insurance coverage, cost of filing up the tank, available discounts, and any offers that give discounts on the price or free accessories like music systems or baby seats. Ask about whether they will furnish an onsite inspection report.

6. You can opt to buy insurance either from the dealer or from insurance sites. Even while purchasing insurance you will need to do a comparison shopping. Get quotes from different auto insurance providers and make the effort to compare insurance coverage packages.

7. There are wonderful sites on the internet that provide in depth information for newbies on how to buy a car and what to look for on the World Wide Web. Be sure to read and be an informed buyer.

8. Before you make any payments you must do a background check on the seller. Find out how long they have been in operation; ask for references that you can check on personally; check online whether there are any complaints registered against them for unethical practices; and check with the local better business bureau. Always check the credentials to protect your interests.

9. Ensure that the website from where you intend to buy a car has state-of -art security systems in place and that the payment gateways are secure. You must be assured of your safety before providing personal or financial details.

10. Before finalizing the car purchase, read through the agreement carefully and when in any doubt ask for clarifications. Most online auto sales websites have 24/7 customer service or answer e-mails promptly.