Tips for new car buying without letting emotion cloud your judgement. Getting behind the wheel of the latest model is exciting. But don’t let the salesman be in the drivers seat when you negotiate the deal. You have to keep a cool head.

After some careful research, you will have decided what you can afford and what kind of car you really need. You set out with that in mind but then you see the sparkling paintwork and chrome and …!

The salesman is seeing dollar signs. He knows what you really want and guess what. He can come up with an amazing, today only deal, that means that you can afford the car of your dreams.

He’ll have you sitting in a car that you hadn’t planned on or at least make some of the accessories and extras seem essential. With his great finance rate and the deal he can offer on servicing, it all seems amazingly affordable.

As you leave the lot, you are feeling pretty good. That’s because you don’t realise how you have followed the dealers carefully constructed plan. Each step gives him the chance to take more money out of your pocket.

The dealers playbook is full of psychological techniques and pressure tactics to get you to sign up today. They don’t want you comparing deals, although they make it difficult to compare like with like if you try.

A good tip for buying your new car is, don’t. You have to prepare your own strategy before you go to the dealer. Know what models would suit your needs and budget. Set limits that you won’t go beyond. It’s a major purchase and worth some effort to get right.

You have to develop the mindset that you won’t be influenced by emotion. You are spending a lot of money and it’s up to you when and where you do. There are lots of dealers and many offers. There is no pressure on you to buy. Knowing in advance that you might have to walk away makes it easier.

If you feel pressurised, remember that you are in control. Let the salesman know that you are going to buy a car, but maybe not now and maybe not here. And then ask for a better deal! They may have unadvertised offers. I have saved myself $700 just by doing that.