I'm going car shopping [at dealerships] tomorrow; Do you have any tips for me?

If this is the first day of your shopping, use the dealer visit as part of your research. Do NOT take your checkbook with you and don't fall in love with a car -- and don't let a sales guy tell you that a car you like won't be there tomorrow and that you need to leave a deposit. NEVER leave a deposit on a used car.

Do your price research before you shop, or take your phone with you and check prices as you go. Used car prices are "asking" prices. You can ALWAYS get a better price, but be smart enough to know that the price you get is a fair price for that car. You can "talk down" a dealer's price --- and still pay too much.

Have you checked the April 2015 Auto Issue of Consumer Reports magazine for their recommendations of best used cars in your $10,000 price range?

When you find a car you like, take it on a good long test drive. Have it inspected by an outside mechanic. Get a Carfax report on it. NEVER take a sales guy's word that a car "has no problems" or "runs great." The fact is that he doesn't know and he'll simply tell you what you want to hear. Take no promises that any problems will be fixed later. Make sure they have the title to the car and that the title has no "salvage", "rebuilt", or outstanding lien notices.

You're doing this all wrong.

Before you step into any car store, ever, you should do a ton of research, online, in sources such as Consumers Reports car issues and guides, and work out which cars are best for you, and why they would fit your needs. We're not talking colours or hub caps here, we're talking, what uses for a car do you have and which cars will be capable of performing the tasks you want done.

So, if it's just you and maybe one pal, and you drive around town, and take the occasional road trip, then a good small car would fit for you. If you have three kids, and you often need to bring back tons of things from CostCo, then you might need a minivan. But, those kinds of things are choices YOU need to make, based on YOUR life and needs. No one can do that for you, and especially NOT a car salesperson.

Then, when you have some candidates, start looking up what they cost, by year, and so on, and work out what your budget to buy would be, along with with getting some quotes as to insurance and working out how you'd pay for that, as well. And, talk with your bank or credit union about financing a car loan with them, if you need one. Car stores love to finance, because they make big profits from that side, as well.

Only once you've done all this, should you step into a car store.

Get the vin number and run a check to get the history of the car . On a car with over 75000 miles get a mechanics opinion . It is well worth the money . Make sure the it fits you and are comfortable driving for more than (just around the block ) . Always bargin on the price even if it s a hundred dollars .

Do research. Research cars and the dealers you go to first, then determine price values of cars in your areas by using Craigslist and looking at other trusted dealers, get a Carfax and a warranty oh and bring a mechanic.

I would suggest buying your car not a at dealer. Private sales are tremendously less in price by the thousands. buying from dealerships are bad investments since car prices drop rapidly over the years. you can always buy a new car used for much less than dealer prices again. just ensure nothing is wrong with it

Go for the car you like and here are a few other things to consider.

1. horse power [>= 150 hp]
2. fuel efficiency [>= 33 mpg]
3. tire size [>= 25"]
4. # of bolts [5/6]

Of course, you can go by your own standards.

walk round a while on your own,go on the net get the type of car sorted in your mind you want...might even mention without going over the top ,you are watching a couple of cars on e-bay ..or you are looking today but buying in a few weeks time...and if you say whats your best on this car..dont be taken into the office.. they feell right in there Sell Zone.there.... silence is a good buying tool... remember hes not your friend..

google the dealer/salesmans' reputation--bad ones show up quickly. Run away. Believe nothing other than they want your money, and will do anything dishonest to get it. Be suspicious of everyone and everything on the lot. Make sure you know more than they do about what you're looking at, and hide it from them. Examine the car completely before starting the COLD engine. Let them start it, don't help them if it won't.

Do your homework first. Do not go without knowing what you are looking for. Never ask the sales(wo)man a question you don't know the answer to (if (s)he is giving wrong answers you know (s)he is a liar and should not trust him(her) ). Always take a calculator and add everything up, no not trust him(her) with any numbers. Never fill out a credit application for a car that you do not want to buy 100%; fill out too many and it will make your credit look bad; now the sales(wo)man has all your financial and contact information to make the sale easier for him(her). Always ask for the invoice price (price the dealer paid for the car), you have the right to know. Focus on the TOTAL SELLING PRICE not only the monthly payments.

And watch the movie Suckers - https://youtu.be/hhw0fiL8Brs

Remember dealer prices are negotiable!!! If you find a car you like, make a reasonable offer even if it is lower than the price they are asking. If they do not accept or counter with good price be prepared to walk away. There are a lot of used cars for sale so you do not have to buy that one. If the dealer does not give at least a 90 day 3000 mile warranty, have the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic before completing the purchase. Good Luck