1) Figure out the car you want to buy. Go test drive vehicles at the dealerships
2) Figure out what the ‘market value’ of the vehicle is–Edmunds, NADA, KBB, Manheim pricing
3) Buy private party. You get service records and you get to suss out the owner.
4) Get a vehicle pre-purchase inspection before you actually buy
5) Cash is king so bargain hard enough you feel you got a fair deal in a recession economy.
Dealerships are a waste of time unless you absolutely need a new vehicle or a lease