[sobriquet]

Guys (and gals)-

I'm looking at the 330i and plan on leasing. This is my first new car - I'm just graduating grad school.

Where do I go to educate myself on the car buying process so that I don't get ripped off by the dealer? My family has always bought their vehicles, so I have absolutely no experience with leasing. I understand what the dealer's invoice price and MSRP represent, but I'm unsure how to use them as a negotiating position.

Finally, other than a few times behind the wheel of friends' cars, I've never owned a car with a manual transmission. Part of what kept me sane while busting my ass in law school was picturing myself behind the wheel of a new 3series. I feel like it would be criminal to get an auto (I love to drive), but I'm also afraid of jumping right in and buying a manual without really knowing how to drive stick. Anyone else been in this position? Any advice on what to do or how to learn prior to purchasing?

Thanks in advance. Sorry for the incredibly broad questions.

[Romulus]

search google on car buying tips, etc.

[fletcher969]

I'm assuming your few times behind the wheel with a stick excludes the need to explain the absolute basics of stick operation...therefore, my advice...

1. Find that or another friend who has a car with a stick
2. Make arrangements with said friend to refresh your memory with respect to clutch/brake/gas/stick operating basics.
3. Find a proper location for learning. Something open, without obstacles. A large, empty parking lot is ideal.
4. Practice, practice, practice to get the basics down in the first couple of gears (starting, stopping, upshifting, downshifting).
5. Go to the country, or other side road situation where there are few cars, and practice using the full range of gears.

As for buying tips...yahoo/google as suggested, or visit edmunds.com where there are numerous articles concerning the buying/leasing process. In particular, FULLY understand the leasing process before negotiating. Know specifically what MSRP, Purchase Price, Money Factor (interest rate), Residual Value, and the various Caps are, and know what fees one should expect. And if you have a trade-in, know your state's laws regarding the effect it will have on the "taxable" cap (reduces or doesn't). Etc, etc.

[sobriquet]

Thanks for your responses, guys. I was just wondering if there was anything BMW specific I ought to know. I grew up around Japanese cars and always heard the way to do it was to find the invoice and pay $500 over that.

Something tells me a BMW commands a slightly higher dealer margin.

[vladinecko]

$500 over invoice would be a really good deal. but in general, you got the right idea, negotiate from invoice up, not from MSRP down. i would skim through this thread, there is a LOT of useful info about negotiation strategies.

as far as stick learning, you can read all you want about it, unless you do it and practice it, it means nothing (well, not nothing, but you know what i mean). so as the above suggested, look for a friend with MT and practice. you'll find that BMW clutch is a lot different from japanese cars so that will take you a little getting use to as well. if you want to find out more specifics about how different the clutch is, search these forums for "CDV" (clutch delay valve).

good luck!