Quoted:
Jesus H Christ this is NOT HARD.  90% of the posts in this thread are a "HOW TO GET FUCKED AT A DEALERSHIP" or "how to over complicate a simple process there by wasting a shit load of my time."

OP, this is how you get the best deal every single fucking time.  

I say this in every thread but it's the 100% truth coming from someone who spent years in the car business

Step 1: find the EXACT effing car you want down to the smallest of options. Don't hem and haw, don't pine over getting the glowing cup holder, know EXACTLY what you fucking want BEFORE you dare step onto a car lot.

Step 2: For a new car, email every dealer from that manufacturer in your town contacting their internet sales department. see if they have your car, and tell them you are willing to pay dealer invoice minus all incentives (look online and KNOW THE INCENTIVES THAT APPLY) and not one cent over. Which ever one agrees go see them.
2A: for a used car you'll need to do more research finding info on what cars like the one you want are selling for, we can discuss that later.

You guys all think that dealers have all of this magic markup when in realty for most dealers every car that goes out the door is damn near a loss and they make it up in the service department.  If you don't know the invoice price then YOU are the idiot.

Step 3: if you are trading in a car, don't be a dumbass, know EXACTLY what your car is worth in WHOLESALE VALUE NOT RETAIL. Understand the difference?

Step 4: if a new car take the manufacturer's low financinig. If used, go to a local credit union and get a LOWER rate, but for the love of god NEVER go into a dealership without having the financing already taken care of.

Step 5: don't buy any extra shit in the finance office like warranties or any of that BS.