Women know the road. According to Jean Swenson, a columnist for the American Automobile Association's (AAA) monthly newspaper, Motorist, women buy 50 percent of the cars sold in America. We're smart shoppers. We can hunt down a bargain. And many of us know how to buy a new car--at a good price. But everybody needs a tune-up now and then. In this special section, we'll help you rev up your car-buying skills by introducing you to sisters who've recently purchased cars. We'll also offer you new strategies for getting the best behind-the-wheel deals. Looking for a specific type of car--family, sedan, luxury? We'll make suggestions to fit your lifestyle and your budget. AutoAdvisor, Inc., a nationwide car buyer's service, helped us identify competitive models and prices. Prices are approximately and based on good bargaining for current models. It's no secret that may people dread haggling over the price of a car. According to a 1991 study conducted by the American Bar Foundation, Black women were quoted higher prices when shopping in automobile showrooms than the three other groups who participated in the study--Black men, White women and White men--because many dealers see us as being less savvy when it comes to knowing the best way to make a deal.
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If you're a sister who hates to bargain, try shopping for a car at a "one-price" or "no-haggle" dealership. According to Automotive News, a leading industry publication, no-haggle car buying is a growing trend. Saturn offers one-price dealerships nationwide see the profile of Cindy Buskey). In most other cases, individual dealers who have recognized the growing popularity of haggle-free car shopping have switched their dealerships to one-price selling. You can find such dealerships simply by calling and asking, but many of them advertise their haggle-free approach.

Here's how no-haggle or one-price dealerships work: Let's say you walk into a no-haggle shop and see the car you want. The dealer should display the manufacturer's suggested list price as well as his discount price. That's it. (The sale of used cars at no-haggle dealers operates on the same price principle.) At most no-haggle dealers, sales reps receive a salary, so they're less motivated by commission. There's no hard selling, no hard bargaining and, for some, fewer headaches.

But does one-price or no-haggle get you the best price? Probably not. If you like to negotiate and are skilled at it, you'll probably get a better deal with a traditional dealer.

OR LET SOMEBODY ELSE DRIVE THE BARGAIN

If you know that the price of the car you want can be negotiated but you don't want to be the one to negotiate, there's another option: A car buyer's service can do the work for you.

Buyer's services work in several ways, depending on your needs. For an up-front fee the service will provide you with a computer printout of the cars you want, along with manufacturers' suggested retail prices. The car buyer's service will then bargain at the dealer for you (some can save you tip to $5,000).

Many car buyer's services know about hidden rebates or other perks that, unless you took the time to research, you may be unaware of. Other services work this way: You tell them which car you want. For a fee, they'll tell you which local dealers have your car. They'll also cite the discount price at which they can get the car for you, without your having to haggle. A good car buyer's service will send a representative to meet you at the dealer. That person will walk you through the car-buying deal and explain the buying process.

Some car buyer's services function nationwide, while others are regional or local. To find one, check your yellow pages under listings such as Automobile Brokers, Automobile Buying Services or Automobile and Truck Brokers. In addition, buyer services may be available to you at no cost or minimal cost through organizations such as automobile clubs or credit unions.

Look for a car buyer's service that tells you up front what they will charge. Make sure they arrange for you to take delivery through a factory-authorized dealership, and check that the papers show you're the exclusive and original owner. A good car buyer's service to try is AutoAdvisor, Inc. ([800] 326-1976), whose average charge is about $250 to $400 for its service. AutoAdvisor guarantees the absolute lowest price on the vehicle you want or will refund its buying-service fee. If that fee sounds high to you, consider that the discount price they can get you on your car will usually be so much lower than the one you could get on your own that you'll come out ahead--even after you pay the fee.