When you are at the Dealership
When purchasing a car, always make sure that you have a good warranty. Not all warranties are made equal, and you want one that will protect your car and your interests for an extended period of time.
If you have financing from a source other than the car dealership, don't let the salesperson know until you have agreed on a price for the car. Car dealerships make a lot of profit on financing, and if the dealer thinks that they aren't making enough profit on the financing, they might be harder to bargain with on the price. Although car dealers might not approve of getting pre-financing for a car, it is often cheaper for you, the consumer, in the end to arrange alternate financing, like at a bank.
When you have agreed to buy the car from a salesperson at the dealership, you will have to speak to one of their business managers, who works for the Finance and Insurance (F & I) department. Regardless of whether you choose dealer financing or not, you will need to deal with this person to set up your purchase. Although they might not look like a salesperson, they will often try to upsell you, or to sell you into dealer financing.
Before purchasing rust protection and undercoating, check to see if it has been done at the dealership (which is more often than not the case). Make sure there is a rust protection clause in your warranty.
For fabric protection and paint protection, you can decide whether you want to pay the dealership. Keep in mind that they will probably not do a better job than you could do with a can of protector from the local hardware store. This might be another way to save you money.
Don't let the dealership get your credit report if you are paying cash (from alternative financing). Every time your credit is checked it hurts your score, and they will sell you the car regardless.
