The first thing that you should know when you want to buy a new car is that both you and the dealer are looking to get the better end of the deal. If you learn nothing else from this guide you will learn how to walk away from a new car deal with both sides being satisfied. A good deal is a win-win situation for both parties. Unfortunately, most of the time it is the buyer that leaves unsatisfied.

In this day and age a car is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. You will likely have to purchase a new car more than once in your life, so you might as well learn to do it in a way that will make the buying process less painful - maybe even enjoyable.

If you are looking to buy a car you should begin with these tips:

You should purchase a new car at a time when the dealer most wants to sell.The last day or two of the month is when the dealer is most concerned with meeting factory quotas and moving new cars off the lot. Winter months, specifically January, February and March are the slowest times for new car sales and gives a buyer the advantage. If you don't mind buying last year's model, you can also get a good deal during the late summer and fall when dealerships are trying to get rid of their current model year new car inventory to make way for the newest models. Last year's new car model is considered a year old as soon as next year model arrives.

Getting quotes from dealers online can be a great way to get a new car. Especially for those of us who have trouble with face to face negotiation. Request quotes on your new car from several dealers or through auto purchase web sites to maximize competition and avoid the "pitch".

Print out information from the best quotes and bring it to the dealer that you are most willing to work with. Bringing in lower quotes from another company, especially other local dealers, might be your best bet in getting a good deal.

Ask to see the invoice. Dealers make money from factory rebates, bonuses for meeting new car sales quotas, financing and service. In addition, they lose money for every day a car is on the lot due to interest and depreciation. They still make money even if you buy your new car at, or even under, the invoice price. This is a fact. Don't believe them if they tell you otherwise.

Be willing to buy a new car that is in the dealer's inventory. You will have a tough time getting a deal on a special order vehicle. This is especially the case with high demand models or brand new car designs. With some new high demand car models, dealers may only be given a small allottment from the factory and will want to get every penny out of each sale.

Bring a copy of your credit report with you.  It can lower your interest rates on your car loan. Your car dealer should not know more about you than you do. Some dealers ask for more money by saying that financing "fell through" or that you are a high risk. While this can sometimes be true, it’s another reason for you to get a copy of your credit score.

Arrange your own financing or get pre-approved. Even if you plan to use dealer or factory financing, it doesn't hurt to get finance rate quotes and even auto financing pre-approval. Car loan interest rates are often negotiable and the more research you do the better.

Don’t bring in a car for trade in if you still owe money on it.  The dealership may not pay the rest of the loan on time which can result in you having to pay late fees to the bank. If you do decide to bring a car in that you owe money on, get it in writing from the dealership that they will pay the balance on the car within 10 days.

If a deposit is necessary, pay it on a credit card. Credit cards allow you to dispute a payment and may even gain you some cash rebates. If you pay by cash or check, you have no recourse if the deal falls through.

Know the value of your trade-in vehicle. You might negotiate a great price on your new car just to get hosed on your trade-in. Your dealer will use the Kelly Blue Book to research the trade-in value of your car. Check it in advance so you know your car's value and bring a print out to the dealer.

Be willing to walk away. You can only truly negotiate if you are willing to walk away from a deal. If you have already decided you must have THAT car, then you must be willing to pay whatever it takes. If you are open to a variety of choices from a variety of dealers, you can really negotiate and find the right new car at the right price.