1. Make sure you are getting the right vehicle.
This seems obvious, but you could wind up an unhappy car owner if you haven't thought carefully about how many people, and how much luggage or gear, you need to carry.

2. Assess the worth of your old car.
Whether you plan to trade it in or sell it, your current car can be an important factor in your budget. Checking the right Web site and maybe your local newspaper will give you a realistic valuation.

3. Decide whether new or used is best for you.
Cars are better built now than in the past, so used cars make a lot of sense. But if you get a rebate or other cost break, the math may be on the side of a new vehicle.

4. Consider whether leasing or buying makes more sense.
Leasing provides lower monthly payments than buying with an auto loan. But it's not for everybody. If you don't have money for a down payment or if you trade your car every two or three years, you may be a good candidate for a lease.

5. Do your homework and set your target price.
The Internet has made it easier than ever to find out the dealer's cost for each vehicle and its options. That is the first step to getting the best possible deal.

6. Shop for money before you shop for the car.
If you plan to buy with a loan, check your credit union or local bank quotations (on Websites) to find the lowest rate. Getting a pre-approved loan will give you added confidence in negotiating a good price.

7. If you hate haggling, consider hiring help or using an Internet service.
Online auto-buying services make things easy with pretty good, no-haggle prices. But with most of them, you get quotations from only one dealer. Consumer services that shop several dealers near you may deliver even better prices.

8. Negotiate hard.
If you are doing it yourself, get bids from several dealers, keeping the focus on the dealer's invoice price, which you will know from your research. We suggest ways in which you may be able to get bids without going to showroom after showroom.

9. If you plan to lease, be sure you understand the deal.
In the complicated world of leasing, the dealer will have the upper hand unless you learn the jargon and how to negotiate the various segments of a lease deal.

10. Don't let the deal-closer close out your savings.
The finance manager isn't there just for the paperwork. He or she wants to sell you high-profit financial and mechanical add-ons. These are seldom worth the money.