If you plan on scoring a Black Friday 2012 car deal you need to hit the web today! Black Friday 2012 holiday sales for cars will focus on very specific ads and available inventory. 0% and rebates of up to $3500 on some models, but buyer beware these could be leftover 2012’s, not new body popular 2013 new cars!

Take my 5 top tips into consideration when shopping dealer inventory online before heading to the dealerships at the crack of dawn.

1. Make a list of your top three cars: make, model, package and two colors you would deem acceptable. 2. Search Edmunds.com or KBB.com or the manufacturers website for the appropriate rebates, discounts and incentives.  Make a note of the model year and other requirements you must follow, before chipping away at the price.  Not all offers can be combined, many require proof of ownership, membership or a specific credit score. Low interest rate offers usually apply only to the car, you must cover the fees and taxes with CASH or TRADE as down payment. 2. Visit the local dealer websites and check their inventory to make a match.  If it shows-up in your search, send an email via the submit form, to be sure the car is still in stock. (expect an autoresponder on Thanksgiving Day). 3.  When expanding your online search, determine how important a specific color is versus driving several hundred miles for that particular car. 4.  TRADE-IN, if you have a clear trade, go grab the title from your safe place. If your trade-in has a balance due or remaining lease payments, bring the most recent statement and account number. If you take the time to go online or call for the payoff ahead of time, it will save you time sitting around at the dealership. 5.  Check you credit score. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com and see what your FICO is. This will help when determining if you qualify for those 0% deals. However, recognize this is only a guide, as dealerships and car loan banks use the AUTO SCORE as the actual determining value of your credit worthiness. Last but not least, understand that “sleeping on it” may not be your best decision, if you are hoping to drive the cost lower by acting disinterested. If you like the deal and the car, buy it. Inventories are VERY slim right now, and the car could be gone “tomorrow”, as others may have decided to wait until Thanksgiving holiday-Black Friday to make a deal. This is a very busy, trasnlate: very competitive wekeend for great deals, so just like the big box stores: Quantities are LIMITED! Good luck with your Black Friday, Thanksgiving Weekend, Cyber Monday car deal scores! ——————————————————– Sarah Lee Marks is MyCarlady. She has over 23+ years of experience. She writes about cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. MyCarlady offers free car buying advice, and private, auto-related services to help you maintain your personal or commercial vehicles. Call Sarah Lee for more information: 702-521-7546. Join the MyCarlady newsletter to be kept up-to-date on this and other important car information.      ]]>