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1. Buy used … usually You knew this would be the first bit of advice, right? Of course it is. How could it not be when Edmunds reports that the average new car loses 11 percent of its value as soon as it's driven off the lot? 2. Do your homework Regardless of whether you're buying new or used, you need to do your homework first. That means researching the going price and available options for the cars you're eyeing. Of course, KBB and Edmunds are good places to start, but don't stop there. These sites tell you what cars should be selling for, but, in the end, capitalism rules. Supply and demand where you are will dictate actual prices. 3. Get your trim right OK, this one might seem silly to the gearheads in the audience, but for everyone else, make sure you're doing an apples-to-apples comparison when shopping around. 4. Embrace high miles I don't think I even owned a car yet, but I still remember that old Kia commercial with the car driving until the odometer on the roof rolled over to 100,000. 5. Time your purchase right There are two facets to this piece of advice. 6. Forget the monthly payment We drive by a car lot on our street nearly every day. Right on the corner is a shiny new SUV with "$198" plastered to the side. 7. Don't mention your trade-in Along the same lines, don't mention your trade-in unless it absolutely has to be part of the transaction because you still owe on it and can't afford two payments. 8. Think twice about trade-in promos Another trick dealers use is luring in shoppers with promises of huge trade-in values. 9. Offer to pay with green Buying with cash is a strategy that may or may not get you a discount. 10. Buy from private sellers Speaking of private se