Getting a Good Deal on a CarBy
Gerri Willis
CNNMoney.com It's September, and if you're thinking about buying a new car -- now's the time. 2007's
car models are starting to arrive on dealers' lots... and that means this year's models are where the bargains are. In
today's Top Tips we tell you how to get the best deal. 1.
Know your stuffTo make room for next year's models, car dealers are trying to rid of the 2006 models. And guess what? They're desperate. So take advantage! There
are tons of incentives and rebates that manufacturers make available to push those vehicles off the lots. Check out what you can get before you arrive at the showroom. Go
to Edmunds.com
to get the lowdown on what incentives are available. Make sure you do your homework too. You'll also want to have three pricing numbers on your mind -- the sticker price, invoice, and what people are actually paying. Check
out the Kelley Blue Book
at kbb.com for this info. 2. Get on the NetGet
moving on the car you want, before it's nudged off the showroom floor. Check dealer inventories online at individual car makers' Web sites. Also, get in touch with Internet departments of the dealers that have the car you want. You'll get a better price AND better customer service this way, according to Phil Reed of Edmunds.com. 3.
Be an early birdThe best time to shop is early on weekday mornings -- the earlier in the week, the better. Not only will you get the full attention of a salesperson, but you'll also be in a much stronger negotiating position. Think
about it -- if you're the only customer in sight, salespeople are more likely to give you what you want. "Remember,"
Reed says, "Monday is an eternity away from the weekend for a car salesman." 4.
Negotiate aggressivelyAs we move further into autumn, discounts on 2006's will be more common, and buying becomes more of a negotiator's game. When talking price, remember that you have the upper hand. It's
also crucial that the salesperson is aware that you know your stuff. And make it clear that the price you're negotiating is for before incentives are applied. For
example, let's say the manufacturer is offering $1,000 cash back on a car. If the invoice price on a car is $15,000, and you negotiate a price of $15,200, you'll actually pay $14,200. But keep in mind the later in the year it gets, the less likely it is that leftover cars will have the bells and whistles you're looking for. That's
why now is such a good time -- the 07's are in, but there are still a lot of '06's out there for the taking. Back
to the Fall Car-Buying Guide 2006 | 
