2007 Mazda 3: Last time I went car shopping, this is what I came home with. Not bad, huh?

TIP JAR | Lots of people love shopping and lots of people love cars, but I can’t think of anyone who loves car shopping. There are good reasons: car shopping is tedious, time-consuming and you often walk away feeling like you got ripped off… even just a little bit. The site AutoBrag.com sent me a handy list of car shopping tips to put YOU behind the wheel of the car-shopping process:

Top 10 List of Do’s and Dont’s for New Car Buyers in 2008

1. Know exactly what car you want. That means picking out the make and model of your next new car before going into the dealership to buy.
   Don’t let someone talk you into buying a car you really didn’t want.
2. Don’t buy the car right after a test drive. The dealer will try to turn this new car purchase into an emotional event. Use a cool head and negotiate with a financial frame of mind. The more emotional you get the more money you lose.
3. Make sure to check what manufacturer incentives and rebates are available on the new car you want to buy.
4. If there are incentives and rebates they are coming direct from the manufacturer. This means the dealership didn’t do anything for you so don’t let them convince you that they gave you a deal.
5. Think about the total price of the car and not monthly payments.
   Dealers will ask you what you can afford to pay on a monthly basis. Tell them that the price of the car is all that matters.
6. When you are ready to buy, make sure to know exactly how much you should pay before you go to the dealership.
7. Visit your local credit union or other source of new car financing to see what rates you are eligible for.
8. No one says you have to buy the car today. This is a big financial decision and if you don’t feel 100% comfortable than wait until the time is right.
9. Watch out for the extras that the dealership will try to sell you.
   They may include fabric protection, paint protectant, and an extended warranty. Pass on these items.
10. Always be in control. Don’t be afraid to say No and walk away.
    There are bad dealerships but also many great dealerships. Spend your hard earned money with people you enjoy doing business with.

Another good resource, and one that I read before buying a new car last year, is a book called Don’t Get Taken Everytime that gives you more info about car dealerships than you ever wanted to know, but some very handy info about how they make their money.

I’ll tell you this much: don’t feel guilty about bargaining down as much as possible, dealerships get paid no matter what. The question is, how much will money will they make off of you?