You get yard by yard voice instructions (so you don't have to look at screen as you drive) and it corrects directions immediately if you take a wrong turning, and there's a handy "Repeat" button to get an instant repeat if you didn't hear an instruction.

If you need a visual representation of where you are, there is a useful "3-d" view, down to lamp-posts and garbage cans. The screen is easy to read, with views designed for use in both light and dark conditions.

The helpful voice will even give you a countdown of yards before you reach your destination, even if that destination is a remote dirt-track.

I can guarantee that RoadMate has saved me countless hours and frustration from reading maps and getting lost.

When I'm returning home, I choose my address from those stored in memory, and off I go. If I've noticed any roads I want to avoid on way, traffic jams for instance, I can specify avoiding them, and RoadMate has new directions for me right away.

All in all, it's a tool I wouldn't want to be without.

After researching available rebates, find difference between retail and invoice price. Unless you are trying to buy a limited production vehicle, you can usually negotiate a price of a few thousand dollars below window sticker. The invoice price will give you an idea of how much dealer paid for car. I usually push for a price that is a couple hundred dollars over invoice, because I know dealer will have expenses to cover. The difference between retail and invoice prices can be near $5000. You may have to visit a few different dealerships, but it is worth it. Information on invoice prices can be found at following web sites.

nadaguides.com kbb.com consumerguide.com edmunds.com

Now that you know how much to pay for your new vehicle, it is time to address financing. Most buyers need to obtain a loan and if you are not careful, dealer will squeeze a few thousand dollars out of you here as well. With good credit, best deal can probably be found at your local bank. Stop in and talk to a loan officer before you go to car dealer. If you leave it up to dealership, they will try to push you into loan that works out best for them. That usually means a higher interest rate and payment for consumer. If you have less than perfect credit and a current auto loan in good standing call them first and ask to get pre-approved for a new car. By using internet, you can find banks that are a little more forgiving than your average local bank. Here are a few that I found during a recent search.

Americredit.com wfsfinancial.com householdauto.com

It's easy to fight price and win when you know where to look. Good luck and enjoy your new car!

Jeremy Brubaker is a writer for http://FightThePrice.com, a website dedicated to helping consumers save money.

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