1. 5 Dumb Car Buying Moves

2. Don’t Fall in Love with a Car Test drive it first!! Test drive competing models Wait for the price to drop Don’t buy it just because it’s hot - this will fade like all fashion trends

3. Don’t take a long-term loan You end up paying more in interest If you trade in the car and you haven't paid off a big chunk of your loan, you could end up owing more than the car is worth

4. Don’t negotiate trade-in and purchase at the same time "Hey, I'm getting a $42,000 car for $35,000!“ – NO!! It’s not a gift!! – You have the right to get as much as you can for your old car. Don't allow the dealer to tell you what it's worth. Negotiate the price of the new car to as low as possible first. Then negotiate your trade-in and get that as high as you can. – If you still feel like it's not enough, take the car elsewhere or sell it yourself.

5. Don’t Negotiate in Person Most dealerships negotiate this way today. Negotiating over the phone or via email keeps you in your comfort zone. Go to Websites where you can search the inventory online and request a quote. You can be sure the vehicle really has all the features you want. When the negotiation's done, ask them to fax you the deal in writing so there will be no surprises when you arrive to get your car

6. Don't: Take a 'great deal' on the outgoing model year You may be tempted by a steep discount on an outgoing 2008 model year car, but that the car will ultimately be worth less at trade-in time than a 2009. However, there is less of an issue if the 2008 model year version is unchanged from 2007.

7. Used Cars to Avoid

8. Any car without a service history Today everything is computerized A car with no service history means it’s never been serviced Most cars are beyond the skills of the home mechanic

9. Any Car with a Salvage Title This means they have taken two cars which were total wrecks and pieced them back together Salvages titles are not just for crashed cars but totaled cars

10. Anything with mismatched tires With regular rotations, most tires wear out at the same rate Beware of bargain name tires, they are usually cheap and mean more trouble for you All the tires should be the same make, model, and size

11. Any car with brushstrokes in the paint House paint is for houses and car paint is for cars Some people may use other non- sanctioned materials to repair the car. Do the magnet test on the body.

12. Any Suped-Up Car These cars have lots of problems Stiff shocks, hard springs, large impractical engines They are not comfortable nor do they block out noise The streets are not racetracks, get real!

13. Words of Advice Do your research Don’t get scammed by big talk Don’t immediately fall in love with a car Ask a mechanic to go with you Don’t make an offer right then and there….WAIT!