Confidence is King of the Road

Confidence is more than just sexy. It can save you a ton of money on your next car or truck.

Lots of people hate buying cars. When you get right down to it, the root Causes of this fear and loathing Are not hard to pin down.

1) Fear of the unknown.
2) Buying a car is a confrontational situation.
3) It's a huge commitment of time and money.

Well, okay, that's great, but how Does that help you? Patience, Grasshopper.

While there's no magical silver bullet to cure all of the above ills, a little confidence can go a long way. If you act uncertain and unsure, chances are you Will get taken for a ride. This APPLIES to every step of the process, not just when you're checking out cars on the showroom floor.

So what do you do? I mean, great, be confident. But what does That mean?

Be decisive. Know exactly what kind of car you want and exactly what you want to pay. Do your homework first and research everything you can find. The Internet is the most powerful research tool ever devised by man. Use it.

Show, do not tell. Print copies of everything you find. Do not just tell a dealer That you got a better price quote online. Show Them. Do not just say That you thought your credit was good enough to qualify for a better rate. Show Them.

Know thyself. Not everyone handles every situation well. If you know you're going to have a hard time Negotiating and haggling over the price (which you will) then find someone WHO can. Even if you do not have a friend or loved one skilled in the art of car buying, you can usually find the car buying services listed in the Yellow Pages of major cities than can help you out for a small fee.

A little confidence goes a long, long way.