HAGGLING PAYS

Consumer Reports

The big surprise:

Tip:

Cash rebates or low financingcharges on a new car may tempt youto take a deal without bargaining fora lower price. Bad idea, accordingto . Those whospent time jawboning for the bestprice saved an average of $1709,according to the magazine's surveyof new car buyers. Almost 40% of new car buyers in2002 didn't bother to negotiate, upfrom 30% in 2000. They apparentlyassumed the dealer wouldn't golower because of the rebates or low interestfinancing being offered. When bargaining, settle 1 issueat a time; don't talk about financingor any other aspect of the deal untilyou agree on the price of the car.