There is very little legal protection available for a consumer buying a car, except in the case of outright fraud by the seller, so it's important to be cautious. It's also important to learn as much as you can about the car you want to buy before you sit down with a seller. Preparing in advance can literally save you thousands of dollars on your car purchase. You can use the Internet and other resources to gather details about vehicles you're interested in purchasing.

And remember to take your time! One of the best ways to get a less than optimal deal on a car is to buy on impulse. There are over 15 million new vehicles sold each year, so don't buy a car that is "almost" right. You're probably going to spend at least $10,000, if not $20,000 or more, so get something that suits you perfectly.

Essentially, there are two strategies for buying a car: one is negotiating; the other is paying a set price.  You can use  www.Edmunds.com to get  Edmunds' True Market Value (TMV) pricing, which offers a wealth of information about the car of your choice, including the price the auto dealer paid for it. Use the TMV data to negotiate your best price.
Buying a new car?  Do not forget to buy an Emergency Car Kit.