My suggestions:
1. Don't choose a vehicle or commit to a deal before sitting down with your bank or credit union and getting pre-approved financing.
2. When shopping make it very plain up front that you are pre-approved and ready to purchase when the right deal comes along; you are not there to play the tag-team game (salesman, sales manager, finance manager. You are buying the vehicle, not the payment plan.
3. Timing is important. Purchasing during the 3 or 4 months prior to introduction of the new models can usually save 15-20% off sticker prices. All the options listed on the window sticker add up to a sizable chunk of the total price, but those options cost the dealer 20% or less than the additional costs, and that is where you can save a lot by playing hardball.
4. For me, the factory warranty adds a lot of value. Basically 3 to 5 years of relatively worry free ownership, compared to a used vehicle with little or no warranty protection. The used vehicle warranties can be worth very little in the event of serious problems.
5. Honest dealers and sales personnel will tell you than less than half the people they try to get financed will qualify, and the last thing they want to do is allow a pre-approved buyer walk away.
6. More than once I have walked away, leaving my name and phone number so they can call me when they reconsider pushing for the maximum profit. CASH TALKS.