Take it home or to a parking lot where you can get out, look it over thoroughly, and decide if you can picture yourself in it.

Take it to a friend or family member to get their opinion.

Whatever you do, don't make a large purchase like buying a vehicle without an extended test drive first.

 (7) Use a Lifeline Phone a Friend. On Who Wants to be a Millionaire, it's the most important lifeline. On Who Wants a Good Deal on a Car, it is possibly more important.

Have someone available by a computer to look up anything you need to know. If you've found a used vehicle you like, have someone look it up with a large search radius on Los Angeles Used Cars or other local internet dealer listings. There may be one with similar equipment and miles out there for
thousands cheaper. It could help with negotiations. There may be tons out there that are more expensive, reaffirming that you're getting a great deal.

For new cars, you should know all of the information before going to the dealership because you...

 (8) Work the Internet First Especially for new cars, it is important to get a quote online from the internet departments of good dealerships. Checking with Kelley Blue Book for new car values, then
cross referencing your results with actual dealer inventories can give you the information you need to make a decision.

In some dealerships, the internet department is made up of salespeople. In others, like Oklahoma City Ford Trucks, the departments have Customer Resource Specialists, Business Development Operators, or one of a plethora of colorfully-titled, non-commissioned representatives to do research and get you the best prices.

The first thing you should ask when starting a dialogue with an internet department is whether or not they will be the salesperson assisting you. If not, you are probably dealing with a salaried employee who makes a bonus if you buy but who doesn't make a percentage of the gross profit.

In other words, they get paid if you buy regardless of the profit, and thus will work harder to lower the price for you.

You have an opportunity to cut through much of the red tape and get straight to the price with a true internet coordinator. If they are commissioned salespeople, then you might as well refer back to "Ask the Receptionist" before deciding to work with them or not.

 (9) Trust Your Gut The human instinct is normally very trustworthy. If you feel that you have found a good car at a good price, you probably have. If you aren't sure, keep working.

If you have a strong negative feeling about the car deal, chances are you haven't found the right vehicle, haven't gotten the best deal, or didn't bring enough donuts.

 (9.5) Enjoy the Experience In Princess Bride, Billy Crystal's character says, "Have fun storming the castle!"

The line is nearly as ridiculous as someone saying, "Have fun buying a car!" Still, I will say it with feeling.

It doesn't have to be bad. The dark ages of car buying (1978-1997) are all but gone, thanks tremendously to the internet. Many of the sleazy salesmen of yore have withered to selling furniture, vacuum cleaners, or real estate. Those who are left have been reprimanded often enough by an informed public and therefore have reluctantly adapted.

There are still bad ones out there, but not nearly in the bulk that existed before. An old- line salespeople used to use when getting caught asking for full sticker on a vehicle went like
this:

"I didn't think you were a fool, but if you were, I didn't want to miss you!"

Thanks to the internet, many dealers start off discounting a car before the customer asks for it. The old line has been replaced by one that is more relevant in today's competitive car market:

"You may not have checked it out online, but if you did, I didn't want to insult you."

Special thanks goes to Al Gore for inventing the internet.

I hope it helps.

About the author:
J.D. has been in and out of the car business for 14 years. He is now a consultant for several dealerships and other automotive entities. His current focus is on changing perceptions - the dealers' perceptions of how to treat customers the customers' perceptions of the evil car dealer.