About Us

I'm the founder and owner of Before You Buy Car and the owner of Golden Wheel Driving School in New Jersey.

After teaching hundreds of new drivers and helping countless first-time car buyers over the years, I saw the same painful mistakes happen again and again:

• Overpaying by thousands of dollars
• Falling for hidden dealership fees
• Signing terrible financing deals
• Making emotional decisions on the lot

That's why I created this site.

Before You Buy Car was built to give everyday drivers the exact tools, calculators, and insider strategies they need to buy smarter — and save thousands — without getting taken advantage of.

We exist to fix a broken car-buying process.

The auto industry has relied on confusion, pressure, and hidden costs for too long. We cut through the noise with:

• Honest, data-driven car affordability calculators
• Real-world cost breakdowns (gas vs electric, depreciation, maintenance, insurance)
• Step-by-step negotiation scripts and inspection checklists
• Clear, unbiased advice that actually helps you keep more money in your pocket

Every tool and guide on this site is designed with one goal: empowering you to make confident, financially sound decisions.

• Real-world experience: I've spent years working directly with new drivers and buyers.
• No hidden agendas: We do not accept money from dealerships, manufacturers, or lenders. We never push specific brands or models.
• Data-driven: Our calculators use current interest rates, real depreciation curves, maintenance data from trusted sources, and up-to-date 2026 tax incentives.
• Independent & transparent: Everything we publish is reviewed for accuracy and usefulness.

Start with our free calculators or download our Ultimate Car Buying Checklist — no email required to begin.

Have a question, success story, or feedback? Reach out to me directly at entcho@beforeyoubuycar.com. I personally read every message.

Thank you for trusting Before You Buy Car with your car-buying journey.

— Entcho Hristov
Founder, Before You Buy Car

We also work with experienced contributors, including former auto finance professionals, to ensure every article meets the highest standards.