Researching a car online can be fun and save you a lot of time visiting several auto dealerships comparing brands and models. However, nothing beats sitting behind the wheel and seeing for yourself.

Your goal for buying a new car can only be determined by you and your research may have different reasons than others. One of the best places to start your independent research is at OEM websites. OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. If you are looking at Fords go to Fords' website, that is where you will find all that you need to know about specific models.

Visiting dealer websites will give you information as well, but probably not as much as the manufacturer's will.

Not everybody's reasons for choosing a specific dealer is the same. Some people buy on price alone and other like buying local to establish a relationship where their car will be serviced and to keep business local.

Almost all car dealerships have Internet Sales Departments now. Their goal is to help you find the car you want and arrange the purchase of it. I am an Internet Sales Manager and I deal with customers from all over the country on a daily basis. So I know everybody's motivation is different.

Please understand when contact a dealership the people that are sending you emails in response to your request only get paid for what they sell, so if you receive prompt replies and you feel comfortable with the person you are dealing with give them your business.

Shopping cars way out of your market area may save you a few hundred dollars but it will not save you a ton of money. The only real advantage is if your local dealer does not have exactly what you are looking for and is unwilling to find it for you.

Think about this if you bought a car from a dealership 200 miles away because they saved you $300 what have you really saved? Now if that dealership found you the exact car you were looking for and treated you properly that is a different story. Just don't buy a car based on price alone. Most of the time if a local dealer is not going to miss your business over a few hundred dollars tell them I am sure you you can get the same price if it is the same vehicle.

Playing games with people online via email is no different than doing that face to face. If you would not want that to happen to you don't subject others to it. Don't contact a dealership you have no intention on buying from.

Please feel free to post any questions you may have about buying a car on the Internet.