Find out what the vehicle you're after, with the options or trim level you want, really costs the dealer by ordering a dealer cost breakdown report from Consumer Reports.

Pay the dealer cash if you can, unless the financing is best from the dealer.

If you consider an extended warranty contract DO NOT buy the Honda branded contract or the dealer's if they offer a proprietary contract of their own. Buy a generic contract from someone like GE Capitol, Ryan Warranty, Wynn's, etc. Generally speaking these offer better coverage and no entrapment clause requiring you take the vehicle to the selling dealer or a Honda dealer for warranty repairs. Many credit unions offer these service contracts from third parties and the dealer will usually give you up to 30-90 days to buy one from them if you decide to do so at a later date.

Order the vehicle, if necessary, to remove any pressure from the selling dealer to buy now, buy another color, or pay extra by having them swap a vehicle with another dealer to make the sale.

Contact a salesman with your "out the door" cash price and see if they bite. If they can make $500 on a sale it's a good deal. Remember, dealers not only make money on the sale but they get spifs from the manufacturer for moving inventory.

Buy out of your immediate market. San Diego is generally $1,000-$2,000 higher than the L.A. market due to competition.

Consider an internet purchase. You may have to drive out of your market or to a large metropolitan market somewhere since many of these dealers are tapping into outside markets that have higher prices.

Forget the cozy loving relationship that they want to develop with you because this all ends as soon as the wedding is over.

Check out a broker, someone like New Cars, Inc. Local brokers usually buy outside of the immediate market or have a relationship with a local high volume dealer and may save you the running around time for a few extra bucks.