You’re thinking about buying a new car or truck, but you want to try and keep your costs down.  How do you go about doing so?

• First, consider buying a vehicle left over on a dealer’s lot from last year, or buying a demo or slightly used car – one with anywhere from 1000 to 7000 to 8000 miles on it.  Any of these vehicles will cost you – if you negotiate properly – hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars less. 
  
• Next, before you negotiate for the vehicle you want, check that model’s wholesale and retail cost, including options, so you know how much negotiating room you’ll have.  The best resources are the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book guides – available at most libraries, and online (see below for websites.)  While you’re at it, be sure to check the trade-in value of your current vehicle.

• National Automobile Dealers Association new and used car pricing and information guide: www.nadaguides.com/ 
• Edmunds new and used car pricing and information guide:
  www.edmunds.com/ 
• Kelley Blue Book new and used car pricing and information guide:
  www.kbb.com 
• Year One – A company that provides information about and sells parts to “muscle car” restoration enthusiasts: www.yearone.com
• SkidSchool Student Driving Program – This program is sponsored by the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation. It is: “A half-day program designed to give student drivers the coaching and practice in the critical skills necessary for accident avoidance and emergency situations…[Students are taught] how to make emergency lane changes[;] how to use anti-lock brakes[;] why tailgating is dangerous[; and] how to maintain control in emergencies and panic stop techniques.” (From the SkidSchool Student Driving Program website). For more information call: 617-451-1051 or access on-line here.
• Transportation and Debt – The vehicle you purchase, why you purchase it, and the way you finance it, may be causing you debt problems. MSN takes an insightful look at why many people run into debt problems buying too expensive vehicles, financing them improperly, and suggests ways to avoid doing so.  Read more...
  
• Skip Barber School – The Skip Barber School (SBS) home base is located near Lime Rock Park race course in Lakeville, Connecticut, but operates at many race courses in the United States and Canada.  SBS offers 1, 2 and 3 day courses “…some oriented towards Race Driving, and some oriented towards Street and Highway driving.”  Courses are offered for both new and experienced drivers. (From the Skip Barber School website). For more information, call: 1-800-221-1131 or access on-line here.