WTAE Call 4 Action reporter Susan Koeppen recently spoke with Craig Kimmel, a consumer advocate and Lemon Law attorney, to get some advice on what to do before making a deal.

1. Stick to what you need.

If it's a sport utility vehicle, then don't look at sports cars.

"You don't want to get lured into appearance and the seductiveness of seeing a car that looks sporty and fun when you really need a commuter car," said Kimmel. "You need to stick to what you really, really need."

2. Research, research, research.

Find out as much as you can about the cars you like. A lot of good information is available from ThePittsburghChannel.com's automotive content partner, Edmunds.com, which shows interior features, outside photos and side-by-side comparisons of different models.

You can look for your preferred models at our Auto page, ThePittsburghChannel.com/automotive. Scroll down until you find the "Showroom" section with the Edmunds search tool.

3. Try before you buy.

You may find after trying the features in the car that it isn't the model for you. Maybe the radio is too far away, or you need cupholders.

4. Check the car's warranty.

If you get a car and underestimate the warranty, you are making a huge mistake. One repair can cost thousands of dollars. If you're not under warranty, you're not protected.

5. Know your rights.

That means brushing up on the Pennsylvania Lemon Law.

"If the consumer is not the problem, the car is replaced if not fixed in a reasonable amount of time," Kimmel said. "Thirty days out of service or three repair attempts is a general rule."

Visit www.lemonlaw.com for more information.