When is the best time of the day, week, or year to get the best deal? It seems that everyone has a different opinion.

Some say the best time to negotiate a good deal is at the end of the month, when salespeople are anxious to meet their quotas. Others say any weekend is good – Saturday mornings in particular.

Statistics show, the best time to hunt for a bargain is during the last two weeks of December and between July and October when dealers try to “clear out” last year's models at low prices to make room for the new models. At Christmas, most people are too busy buying gifts and entertaining to think about buying a car. That leaves a lot of frustrated car salespeople anxious to make a deal (or so they say).

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Regardless of when you buy or deal, there are things you should keep in mind:

• Don’t walk into a dealership to “find out’ what the car you want will cost. If you do, may walk out having paid thousands of dollars too much.

• Do your research. Salespeople love customers who haven’t done any research and have no idea what to pay. Don’t be one of those. Instead, do your homework in advance. Read consumer magazines, scan the ads and research car prices online. Get actual online quotes and walk into the dealership when you can confidently say how much you can get the car for elsewhere and how much you are willing to pay for it. There is nothing like going into “battle” prepared.

• Use the internet to check for prices.

• Review your credit report and your FICO score before you start shopping so you’ll have an idea what kind of financing to expect.

• Read the fine print. A dealer’s ad may offer 1.9% APR but look for the tiny asterisk and the fine print that says "with approved credit only" or "qualified buyers only." Unless your credit is perfect, you won’t qualify.

• Shop where salespeople are on a salary, rather than commission. The salesperson will still try to get the most for the car, but is less likely to gouge you.

• Shop in a competitive market where there are many dealerships located near one another. Once you’ve decided what you can afford and what you want to buy, negotiate and take that offer to other dealers nearby. See who is willing to haggle.

It takes a bit of work to get the best new auto deal – but it is well worth the effort.