Choosing the Car

Hooray! You've got your finances set, and you've made some decisions: how to finance, new or used, and buy or lease. If you think that you're ready to head to the showroom to sample the latest and greatest four-wheeled wonders, think again. Put the brakes on that notion-there are a few more things to do to make your shopping experience more efficient and effective.

1. Research, research, research!

Now that you know how much you can spend, you should also know what car will suit you best. It's time to do some heavy-duty research, and there are plenty of resources for you to tap. A simple web search will turn up reviews and objective car ratings. Two good sites are cars.com and Edmunds.com. The Kelley Blue Book, a long-standing benchmark for shoppers, features prices for all makes and models at its kbb.com website.

If you prefer the printed page, Consumer Reports and Car and Driver are great resources for comparison-shopping. (Both magazines have complementary websites-consumerreports.org and caranddriver.com.) Don't be shy about checking out an auto manufacturer's website. They'll have plenty of in-depth information on each car, including intangibles such as colors and options.

Doing upfront research on a car-especially used models-will give you added insight into how the car really performs. A little background about the vehicle will help you learn exactly what you're getting into.

2. The price is right

Now that you've put the Internet to work for you in picking out a make and model, use it to find the right price. A variety of sites will enable you to purchase a car right over the Internet. Many local dealers now list their prices in cyberspace. Use these to comparison shop. It will give you a good idea of what the market is offering.

Researching a price over the Internet doesn't mean you need to buy a car online. If you feel more comfortable visiting a showroom, use web pricing as a negotiating tool. It sends a clear signal to a salesman that you know your stuff, and will probably get you a better price right off the bat.

Green light means "go shopping!"

Congratulations. You've done quite a bit of upfront work. By determining your price range and researching some of the top car choices, you can save yourself hours otherwise spent strolling through parking lots. You've also determined which cars would be a good value, and which should be avoided. The light is green-it's time to buy a car.

Enjoy the ride!