What Kind of Car? New or Used?

The cash for clunkers party just ended and you didn't get there in time to trade in your old clunker for a new shiny car. Are you sad? You should be. But now that you have managed to get off the couch and get motivated because someone rear-ended you last week... it is time to get serious to start shopping for cars.

The first question you need to ask yourself is "new or used"? With as many people going broke as there are in the world right now, there hasn't been a better time to get a good deal on a used car in years. If you do go with the used car route, be sure to get one that is a "certified pre owned" car so you can be certain that it wasn't in Hurricane Katrina and has flood damage or something. Also, be sure to get a carfax report.

If you are lucky enough to go with the new car route, be sure to shop for the best factory-to-dealer prices on cars so that you don't end up paying sticker price for a car that you could be buying at invoice - or even under invoice. Remember, when buying a new car, the factory gives the dealer a grundle of money that you never see called "dealer holdback" and other incentives - so if you play your cards right, you can get the dealer to pass it on to you.

No matter if you are buying a new or used car, the most important thing is that you get off the couch and start! Don't make your wife keep yelling at you.