Car searching sucks, and for a guy who hates debt and would rather stick to his ole, reliable car, this process has become the ultimate source of procrastination. Except for a transmission that’s about to go and a lack of heat or AC, my car, Natasha, as I call her, runs as well as the day I bought her.

With another Ohio winter coming, I know this isn’t wise. I’m in denial. But if I ever want to be able to do highway travel again, I’m going to have to replace Natasha.

There is no shortage of sources to help you become an informed car buyer — and certainly there are plenty of Web sites that list new and used cars — however, the process is fragmented. Many dealerships have their own Web sites. And, of course, there’s Cars.com, Auto Trader, etc.

I would kill for a good Web site that aggregates such things. Some sites do this, but they aren’t very good. I would also love to have more specificity when picking models, like not just generic price ranges ($5,000-$10,000) or mileages (0, 50,000, 100,000). What if I wanted a car costing less than $7,775, with 62,000 miles? Can’t be done. I think most of the dealerships in my area use the same design template too. Hurray for consistency of experience; boo for crappy templates. (Note to car dealerships: I will create you a rockin’ site in return for a free car.)

I haven’t started talking to the dealers yet. I’m curious to see how my search will play out in the troubled economy. One thing’s for sure: I have to stay on top of my credit score and credit card limits. Having a low debt-to-available-credit ratio is incredibly important. Some card companies are closing “inactive” accounts and lowering limits in the midst of these economically challenged times. I like my credit rating, and ironically, I’m going to have to start using my cards more (and paying them off!) to make sure the companies don’t screw up my score.

I will secure financing outside the dealership, and I will not spend hours negotiating a price. I hope to have a pretty good deal secured without even setting foot in the dealership, although this will be more challenging because I am not buying a new car.

I find salesmen loathsome. My back tenses up even thinking about having to go through all the BS involved in test driving, negotiating, negotiating again with the finance people, and getting out alive.

But really, enough procrastinating!

My strategy (based on links supplied below):

1. Do Web research and find some models I like.
2. Narrow it down to a few and test drive. Buy NOTHING the day I test drive it.
3. Come back home. Do more research. Get lots of annoying calls from dealers. Try to ignore them.
4. Come back to my top 3 cars. Do not be attached to a particular model.
5. Try to get into competitive bidding with the three cars via phone, e-mail, fax, etc.
6. Close the deal at dealership. Don’t talk in monthly payments; do talk in final payment.
7. Meet with financing dude. Explain I have my own financing already and try to get a lower rate than one I have from credit union, etc.
8. Sign away life.
9. Drive home.
10. Victory!

Car-buying resources:

• http://www.boingboing.net/2008/08/13/how-to-buy-a-new-car.html
• http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/hownot02.html
• http://simplejoe.com/auto-car-purchase-buy-tips-tricks.asp
• http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/45310/article.html