Order from the Factory Directly - If You Can’t Find A Great Deal at the Dealership

Some dealers will suggest that there is no way a factory can (or will) beat an outlet. But provided that you give the factory enough lead time, you could easily squeak out a deal.

Use a Budget to Shop Prices

Remember that your car payment is just one line item in your overall monthly budget. Figure out "how much car" you can comfortably afford per month before investigating options or even searching for makes and models.

Go to the Dealer Prepared

Look up quotes for car prices online and pre-finance through websites. Check out model specifications and use objective consumer sites to compare. Narrow your choices down to a handful of top candidate autos before you show up. This way, you won't waste time test driving cars that are out of your price range or otherwise undesirable.

Negotiate. Negotiate. Negotiate.

The more educated you are about pricing and options, the more formidable you will be at the negotiating table. Know the online consensus price for the car you want. Know what extras you would like, what extras you could do without, and what extras are "crucial." Opt out of the dealer's extended warranty plan and instead look for a cheaper warranty online. Finally, do not make ridiculous demands. Use numbers and counter offers to back up your negotiations, and don’t be rude to the sales people. Never lie about your credit rating, the value of your trade-in car, or your amount of debt or income. Not only will these tactics waste everyone's time, but they also won't likely get you a better deal.

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