 TITLE: 10 Things First-Time Car Buyers Need to Know CONTENT: 8\\. Negotiate the Price\n-----------------------\nBoth dealerships and private sellers expect you to haggle over the price of the car. You'll have more wiggle room with a used car, since it doesn't have a set MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price). Even with a new car, you can generally negotiate your way to a significant savings off the sticker price.\nTo drive a hard bargain, find out how much the car is worth by researching its value on automotive websites. Be sure to take into consideration any \"extras\" the car has, such as leather seats or a top-of-the-line entertainment system. When you arrive at an estimated average price, take 10% to 20% off that figure and make the seller an offer. You'll have more leverage if you are preapproved for a loan or if you're paying in cash.\nTiming can help you get a better deal too. If you're buying new and don't need the car right away, try waiting until the last few months of the year to go shopping. That's when dealerships typically offer special incentives such as cash back or promotional 0% APR financing so they can clear cars off the lot to make way for next year's models. Can't wait that long? If you can hold out until the end of the month, salespeople eager to make their monthly sales quotas are often quite willing to bargain. END