Do Your HomeworkDoing your homework ahead of time is the key to finding the vehicle you want at a fair price.

Arming yourself with knowledge will give you the power to negotiate the best deal possible.

Now on to the steps…

1. Determine Your BudgetKnowing what you can afford before you start shopping

can help you ensure you stay in budget. There are no specific rules as to how

much you should allocate. Just make sure that your car payment

fits comfortably in your monthly budget.

Our auto loan calculator can help!

*http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/a-tightwad-s-10-tips-to-trim-car-costs-1.aspx

The average monthlypayment for a new car is

$479*

2. Do Your Research

*http://www.autoconnectedcar.com/2014/10/new-car-buyers-want-connected-cars-for-internet-safety-productivity-and-entertainment

Consider how often and for what purpose you'll use your vehicle. Make a list of the features you'll need and start researching the makes and models of vehicles that fall into your criteria. If you have a vehicle in mind, look into similar makes and models from competing manufacturers.

Most popular car features buyers want*: 79% say safety is most important 64% want crash notification technology 58% want internet-enabled navigation 72% stream audio regularly in their car

After you find a car that fits your budget, determine the best way to pay for it.

Some people will opt to pay cash for the full price of the vehicle.

Most people will choose to finance their car and may obtain a loan from a credit union or bank.

By not paying in cash, you have more options for cars, since you are paying less money up front.

When you finance, you will make monthly payments over a period of time for the amount you financed plus interest until the loan is paid off.

3. Consider Financing

20%

80%

About 20% of people pay for their cars with cash, which

means 80% require a financing option.*

*http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=fin&story=should-i-pay-cash&subject=loan-quick-start

When your choice is narrowed to a few vehicles, visit the dealerships and go fora test drive.

49% of buyers test-drive one (or zero)vehicle before purchasing*

On average, car buyers test-drive only 1.9 cars pre-purchase*

Only 26% test-drive three vehicles or more* 68% of car buyers visit two

dealerships or less* 15% visit four or more dealerships*

Overall, car buyers visit an average of 2.2 dealerships.*

4. Test Drive

*http://www.dmeautomotive.com/announcements/1-in-6-car-buyers-skips-test-drive-nearly-half-visit-just-one-or-no-dealership-prior-to-purchase

Negotiate a price which includes rebates or discounts, and the added costs of sales tax, title fees, vehicle registration costs, etc. If you're trading in your vehicle, be sure you know its current value.

Did You Know?You can often save between $1,000 – $2,000 by negotiating.*

5. Find Discounts

*http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/negotiating-101.html

Inspect the vehicle before driving away, sign the paperwork, and enjoy your new set of wheels!Purchasing a car can be a whirlwind, but just remember: do your research, stay grounded during the process, and never be afraid to walk away if you’re not 100 percent satisfied.

6. Inspect It