Being in the car business...and I admit...I'm a green pea, I feel the need to respond.
Used cars typically have about a 3-5 thousand markup on them because, as the adage goes, "Buyers are liars". So, if you're wanting a good price on a vehicle, and you're wanting to be WELL taken care of... it's very simple.
First figure out what you're looking for (Car, Truck, SUV, Crossover, tricycle, Red Flyer Wagon...whatever), then, when you have a general idea - PLEASE don't get locked down on "I want a 1997 Camaro, baby blue, with dual exhausts with chrome tips, less than 15,000 miles, and I won't pay more than 4000 for it", because you're gonna be in for some heartache (yes this was an actual response to the "How can I help you today?" question).
Once you know what you want, go to the dealership, test drive a few vehicles, then when you decide which one you want, offer 2000 below sticker price. You're going to save on average 20 bucks a month, and your salesperson is going to be happy because they made some profit, which helps them on their way to getting the bonus. It will also eliminate an hour or two of haggling, having to deal with the manager, the running back and forth of the salesperson who's really just a messenger at this point...in short you get what you want, you get it faster, and you get out faster. The salesperson makes a sale, and can get back on the lot to try to catch another person so they can make another sale. Everyone wins.
Go ahead and do your research, it's not a bad thing to do. Just don't go up on a lot and say, "Well, there's a lot in Texas that I can get this exact same vehicle for a thousand dollars less" when you're in Central Arkansas (yes, this happened too) because you have a 50% chance of being told to go ahead and go to Texas - yes, that happened too (my manager told 'em to).
Salespeople in general like to help - that's why I'm in it, because of former customers at another job told me I should give it a shot since I like helping people. Help them help you, and it'll go smoothly.
