Are you a family of six with a car that seats five? Are you driving a clunker that is about to die? If the answer is yes, you might be ready to start researching for a new car.

Ideally, you want to do your research well before your existing car runs out of steam. That’s because it can take several months to shop, decide, negotiate and buy a new car. If you are desperate for something new, or your existing car takes its last breath while you are shopping, you may feel pressured to take the first deal offered – but this is not the position you want to be in.

It is also important to consider your credit score (FICO) and the impact it will have on your ability to finance a good deal. If your score is low, you will not qualify for 0% financing, in fact you are more likely to pay rates as high as 23%. 23% will add a lot of cost to any loan. If your credit score is low, you may want to hold off buying a car until your score has risen and you can be confident that you will be approved for a loan - at a good rate.

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Before you start looking, sit down with pen and paper and determine what you need and what you can afford. Do you need a van with seating for eight, or a truck to tow your fifth-wheel camper, or an economical sedan that is good on gas? Decide on the kind of vehicle you need before you sit down and do some dollar saving research:

• Start by creating a budget to determine how much you have for a down payment and how much you can really afford to pay each month.

• Next obtain your credit report and get your car financing in order.

• Research new car prices. Read the ads, search the web and ask friends what they paid.

• Visit new car dealers or their web sites to view new car model configurations, prices, deals and incentive programs.

• Revisit your budget and compare it to the car you want to buy. Can you afford the vehicle you want? If not, start looking for a vehicle you can afford.

• Negotiate your new car purchase by phone, fax, email, or in person.

• Close the deal.

Taking the time to research and prepare for your new car purchase – will make help ensure that you buy the right car at the right price with the right financing.