I have a question about buying a vehicle...

[SheilaT]

8. I am a semi-expert, having recently purchased

or helped someone else purchase a total of eight vehicles in a three year period.

Several rules. Never buy the first time you walk on the lot. You can end up buying the first car you look at, as I did once before this eight car marathon. But look, nod sagely, and leave.

Always know how much money you can spend. Try very hard NOT to think in terms of your monthly payment, but in terms of the total cost. If possible, pay cash, although I do understand that's not practical for very many people.

Make use of the Internet. The Internet is your friend. There's a huge amount of information out there that is very easy to access.

When buying used, also go to KBB.com or www.edmunds.com to do a separate research about the value of the particular make, model, year, and mileage of the cars you're considering.

When you find a car at a dealership that you like, and hopefully you'll find several at more than one dealership, print out their information. If they do not link to the Carfax report on that specific car, ask for it at the dealership. If they're not willing to give it to you, leave. On your printout for each car, note what KBB or Edmunds says the car should be worth.

If for any other reason you feel uncomfortable at the dealership, leave. All of those eight cars I bought or helped someone buy were Honda Civics or Accords, so I got to know all the Honda dealerships in the metro area where I lived. There was one that for some reason just felt sleazy to me. I visited them at least three different times, and I'm not even sure I ever test-drove anything from them. Could never quite put my finger on it, but after a while I didn't go to them any more.

If you are sufficiently knowledgeable about cars then you can look at what I call the tertiary market, those stand-alone, usually somewhat shabby used car lots that are definitely selling older cars. Or, if you have a very good and trustworthy mechanic, then you can go there. Unless buying from a major dealer in your area (and sometimes even then) you must have the car looked at by your mechanic. Same thing applies to buying from a private party.

If you are reasonably comfortable going the private party route, or you're convinced you'll get a better buy that way, then get a 30 day thing for Carfax, and check out every single car you're serious about. And absolutely have any car you're serious about looked at by a mechanic.

Never get rushed into a decision. You really can rent a car for a week or so while car shopping. Really.

I always assume that the dealer has no more invested than the trade-in value. That's my starting point.

The last time I bought a new car this kind of information was not yet out there, the Internet having barely gotten started. But I'd do the equivalent for new. And, if buying new, hopefully you can eventually get to the specific make, model, and trim level of the car you want. Work with at least two different dealers to see which one will give you the best price.

Always buy less car than you can afford. Never max out on the monthly payment. Never put so little down, or have such a lousy trade-in that you start out owing more than it's worth. Never.

I must confess that I enjoy buying cars, and it's been several years now since I've bought one.