Buying a car can be an expensive undertaking, but there are some ways to save money when shopping for a car.

1. Rebates and Incentives – Always look for manufacturer rebates and incentives and make sure you take advantage of them. Manufacturers often offer incentives to move cars faster, but not all rebates and incentives are common knowledge, so make sure you do diligent research on the car you're interested in buying.

2. Comparison shop for the best Financing – Financing is one of the biggest factors when it comes to the cost of your car and interest rates make a significant difference in what you will pay over the course of time. To get the best interest rate you want to check around. If you have a credit union, start there first then check your bank and other financial institutions. You can also check with the dealership to determine their interest rates as well, but remember the dealership is not the only source you have for financing.

3. Trade-In – If you have a trade-in, try selling it on your own first. If you don't have the time or just don't want to be bothered and you do work with the dealership, make sure you mention your trade-in after you've discussed and negotiated the price of the car. This way you'll get the best offer for your trade-in, which can be applied towards the price of the car, separately.

4. Low Demand Vehicles – Vehicle pricing is based on a number of factors, the manufacturers suggested retail price, auto popularity, and what the consumer is willing to pay. High demand cars that are moving off the lot quickly offer less room for negotiation if the dealership knows they can sell the car easily. Instead, consider lower demand cars.

5. Negotiate Pricing and Auto Terms – By negotiating the price of the car as well as your payment terms you can save hundreds and even thousands over life of your loan. When buying your car focus on the cost of the car and the length of your loan versus the monthly payments.