<SMALL>By Gerri Willis
CNNMoney.com</SMALL> It's September, and if you're thinking about buying a new car -- now's the time.
2007's car models are starting to arrive on dealers' lots... and that means this year's models are where the bargains are.
In today's Top Tips we tell you how to get the best deal.
1. Know your stuff To make room for next year's models, car dealers are trying to rid of the 2006 models. And guess what? They're desperate. So take advantage!
There are tons of incentives and rebates that manufacturers make available to push those vehicles off the lots. Check out what you can get before you arrive at the showroom.
Go to Edmunds.com to get the lowdown on what incentives are available. Make sure you do your homework too. You'll also want to have three pricing numbers on your mind -- the sticker price, invoice, and what people are actually paying.
Check out the Kelley Blue Book at kbb.com for this info.
2. Get on the Net Get moving on the car you want, before it's nudged off the showroom floor. Check dealer inventories online at individual car makers' Web sites. Also, get in touch with Internet departments of the dealers that have the car you want. You'll get a better price AND better customer service this way, according to Phil Reed of Edmunds.com.
3. Be an early bird The best time to shop is early on weekday mornings -- the earlier in the week, the better. Not only will you get the full attention of a salesperson, but you'll also be in a much stronger negotiating position.
Think about it -- if you're the only customer in sight, salespeople are more likely to give you what you want.
"Remember," Reed says, "Monday is an eternity away from the weekend for a car salesman."
4. Negotiate aggressively As we move further into autumn, discounts on 2006's will be more common, and buying becomes more of a negotiator's game. When talking price, remember that you have the upper hand.
It's also crucial that the salesperson is aware that you know your stuff. And make it clear that the price you're negotiating is for before incentives are applied.
For example, let's say the manufacturer is offering $1,000 cash back on a car. If the invoice price on a car is $15,000, and you negotiate a price of $15,200, you'll actually pay $14,200. But keep in mind the later in the year it gets, the less likely it is that leftover cars will have the bells and whistles you're looking for.
That's why now is such a good time -- the 07's are in, but there are still a lot of '06's out there for the taking.

 

Can I ask what I might expect to get out the door for a 2006 at this point? Looking to surprise my sister on her birthday.

 

We just bought our 2007 HHR. Picked it up Friday night.

I love it.

Got an excellent deal.

 

Also think about the difference in warranty.

06-36,000 bumper to bumper

07-36,000 bumper to bumper
100,000 driveline

 

Yeah, that's why we went with the 2007. We weren't going to be able to save THAT much money that it would justify the lesser powertrain warranty... especially not with the two transmissions we had to replace in the Dodge Truck we traded in on the HHR.

 

i just bought a 2007 2lt. chrome package and leather. summit white. paid $21,200 out the door. dealer invoice was 22,845. didn't pay dealer prep (600). i guess i got about 2,300 off . pretty good deal i guess. you never know.

 

Oh ya?.what u pay?

 

What parts of Florida are you in?

Ronzo hasn't been to the site in over 2 months.

 

to the site!!!