Having the loan ready before you find the car gives you the negotiating power of cash. It gives you an instant bargaining advantage and circumvents salesmen's attempts to divert attention from the bottom line and ensnare you in a sales pitch that focuses on the monthly payment.

Exceptions to the rule: For college students and people with little or bad credit, financing through a dealership can be helpful. Of course, you don't want to advertise your situation, as that makes you a good target for bad rates. But if dealer-financing is the only way you'll be approved for a car loan, read on.

AT THE DEALERSHIP

• Avoid vultures: Some dealerships have so many salesmen around that competition to net a sale is cut-throat. If you're greeted by a swarm of men wearing ties, shift into reverse and flee, never to return.

• Don't wait around: Conversely, if you have to wait 10 minutes to be helped, go home. Some dealerships strive to exhaust customers so they're seeing double by the time they sign the papers.

• Hold your ground: Don't be swayed to look at models you're simply not interested in because the salesman wants you to. Stay focused, stick to the mission and, if you don't feel comfortable with the situation, leave.

• Focus on the bottom line: While you're browsing, don't discuss financing. Assuming you already have financing set up, you have the upper hand and can negotiate as if you were paying in cash.

• If you're seeking dealer-financing: Ask to see your "buy'' rate, the interest rate for which you were actually approved. Dealers can legally tack up to three percent extra on that rate. If they refuse to show you the buy rate, l-e-a-v-e.

• Read the fine print: Important! Don't sign anything until you've read it thoroughly. Take copies of the sales papers home, get out a dictionary and scour the documents with a magnifying glass, if you must. There's no such thing as "now or never."

• Watch out for add-ons: Tire insurance. Dealer fees. VIN etching. Fabric guard. Dealers will sell you all kinds of extras and accessories you don't need or could purchase for a lot less elsewhere. Built-in GPS navigation systems, for instance, are often more expensive than portable ones from a big-box store and may require costly updates the others don't.

What you don't want to skimp on is safety: Anti-lock brakes, airbags and anti-theft devices, for example, will protect you and your car, and bring insurance discounts.

• Research the warranty: If the car you like comes with a warranty, find out if the warranty company is reputable; call the state Attorney General's office (866-966-7226) and the Department of Financial Services (800-342-2762) to ask if they have had complaints.

• Ask to see the title: If you're buying used, this is of utmost importance. Compare the vehicle identification number to make sure it corresponds to the car you're purchasing. The VIN is on the driver's side of the dashboard, under the windshield.

• When you find the one: Take the car to a trusted mechanic to have it checked out. He'll be able to tell you whether she's worth the money or not. For the roughly $50 it'll run you, you'll save yourself a world of trouble.

THE LEMON LAW

Florida's Lemon Law applies only to cars bought or leased new. If your new car has been to the mechanic three times for the same repair or spent 15 consecutive days in the shop, it will probably qualify as a lemon and, thus, state mediation. For details, visit the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at www.800helpfla.com/lemonlaw.html or call 800-321-5366, toll-free. The Attorney General's office enforces the Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act; for more information, go to http://myfloridalegal.com or call the AG's Fraud Hotline at 866-966-7226.