How do you get the best deal buying a new car?

We compared USAA with the Costco service and found Costco the best deal for our Ram Ecodiesel. Turned out the dealership was a Costco distributer. We subsequently got caught up in VW Dieselgate on our Sportwagen. We wanted an AWD and found a 16 Forester with 10,000 miles on it for $9 Grand less than the best Costco deal for a new one, so my wife drove away happy. Bottom line, do your homework and keep an eye out. Same advice you'd get since the '50s.

SSG Carlos Madden - For the best deal don't buy a new car. Consider buying a used car, a just off lease car, or a "new in stock" prior year model - with extended power train and major repairs warranty. This will get you a far better deal than buying a new car that loses half its value when first driven off the lot by a new car buyer. Consider what the trade in value will be after one, two, or more years. Consider driving the car into the ground - not just buying another new one because you feel or believe you must need one. Get some counseling to discuss why you need a new car. I have always bought used weapons, used cars, used aircraft, and used homes well below market. I can be a tough negotiator when it comes to my money.

All that said - I am a fool for new shoes, new clothes, new accessories, and new jewelry - to the point many of my colleagues suspect that I may be just a bit secretly addicted to shopping - particularly for "vintage" fashions - classic hats and pencil skirts. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

A couple things. Research. Know what you want and how much it cost. If you don't know exactly what you want then test drive till you find the one you want. Then go home and do your research. Don't bring kids with you and if your spouse can't stand spending hours looking at cars leave her at home too. Shop around and give the dealers your phone number let them know you are shopping around. You may have to block the number after you buy, but let them fight it out. If you have time take a couple days for them to see if they are really ready to sell. Some may disagree, but I always have a pre-approved loan from my bank. It is like cash. I use USAA. They want to have you use one of their banks because they get a kickback from the bank so they are going to try to beat your rate. If they offer you a lower rate call the pre-approved place back and tell them you gotr a lower rate and ask them if they can do any better on their rate. I knocked 2 points off my loan doing just that. Don't run your credit at a bunch of different places. It tanked my credit rating. They say it won't, but it happened to me. Have your price set. I mean your out the door price. Have them quote everything included. If they can't do the price you set be prepared to walk out. Remember, it is not a hostage negotiation. Explain to them that you WANT an new car, but you do not NEED a new car. If they start jacking you around leave. Dealers will hold you there as long as they can so you will give up and take what they are offering you. Last, never buy the same day you decide. I go home and sleep on it. It will save you a ton of buyers remorse. Think of this as a very expensive game of chess. Be thinking the whole time you are negotiating.