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Okay 鈥 that old car you鈥檝e been driving for the last 17 years is finally on its last legs. This is a bad thing! You haven鈥檛 had a car payment in more than 10 years. This is a good thing!

Now, it鈥檚 time to replace that old car so you can get to work, the grocery store, drop the kids off at school, take the spouse out for a night on the town, go see Grandma 300 miles away鈥 well, you get the idea. You have to have a dependable car to accomplish these ventures. Now what?

Before You Buy, Line Up Your Ducks

First, arm yourself with the information that will keep you from making a bad deal. If you simply go to the dealer, find the car you want and pay the price on the sticker, you鈥檙e cheating yourself!

It鈥檚 going to take some time and effort, but knowing what you need to know puts you in a much better position to negotiate. Believe me, it鈥檚 a position you want to be in. You can save yourself literally thousands if you鈥檙e prepared.

Pick out the vehicle and model in which you鈥檙e interested. Better yet 鈥 pick out 2 or 3. This way you won鈥檛 just go from dealership to dealership 鈥渓ooking for the best deal鈥. You CAN get the car you want and at a price that won鈥檛 necessarily break the bank.

Now, check the Blue Book value of the car (if it鈥檚 used) or the factory invoice (if it鈥檚 new). Don鈥檛 expect to pay low Blue Book value, either. You should be prepared to pay somewhere between the loan value and the retail value. Car dealers and those that sell cars for those dealers are never 鈥 let me repeat that 鈥 NEVER going to lose money on a deal, regardless of what they tell you. It鈥檚 also important to keep in mind that dealerships are still businesses. And, as such, they are entitled to make a profit. However, because they work on commission, the more they can sell you the car for, the more they make.

Do I Need All These Extras?

Next, be aware of those 鈥渘eeded鈥 extras, many if not all of which you do not need. At least you don鈥檛 need them for the price they鈥檙e going to charge you. Once you and the salesman have agreed on the car deal, you鈥檒l be re-directed to the F & I guy. He will attempt to sell you insurance coverage, extended warranties, and finance your deal with 鈥渢he best rates available鈥. NOT!!

Get pre-approved through your own financial institution prior to car shopping. This will not only save you a lot of headaches, but money as well. YOUR hard-earned money.

It Ain鈥檛 Worth What You Paid For It Once You Drive It Away

Another important factor to keep in mind is that automobiles depreciate the minute you drive them off the lot, whether the car you buy is used or new. I have yet to see a car increase in value, unless, of course, it鈥檚 a classic and in like-new condition. Please do yourself a favor and keep this in mind at all times when car shopping.

鈥淣o鈥 May Not Be Popular, But It鈥檚 Necessary

Lastly, and this is of utmost importance, learn to say, 鈥淣o鈥! Learn to say it with conviction. Go to the mirror, look at yourself and say, 鈥淣o鈥濃 repeat鈥 repeat again for however many times it takes to convince yourself that you mean business. It鈥檚 a good word. It belongs in your vocabulary.

Cars are money pits. But, they鈥檙e absolutely necessary. Say, 鈥淣o鈥濃 until you鈥檝e made the deal YOU want.

It will make you feel as though you triumphed when purchasing your next car.

漏 Doc Phillips Productions

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About the author:

Doc Phillips is an internet entrepreneur who currently has 4 websites online which he designed, built and maintains. His latest site is called 鈥淏uying a car? Read this first!鈥 and can be found at . You may also want to see and two more of Doc鈥檚 sites. Re-print Rights: This article comes with FULL REPRINT RIGHTS which means that you're free to re-publish them on your website, newsletter or e-book. The only requirement is that you include the 'About The Author' information shown at the bottom of each article in its entirety, including the hyperlinks.