Our friends at the The Big Picture have published an excellent and very up-to-date guide to buying and leasing a car.

Here’s an overview of how to expertly navigate this process while saving time and money.

1) Set Up Your Online Shopping Identify:

Get a Google Voice account (its free) then get a LeeMail account (its free). These are the only numbers/addresses you use until you decide which car you are getting from which dealer.

2) Do your homework: Before you ever step foot on a dealer’s lot, you need to figure out a few things:

a) What kind of transport? Are you looking for a minivan, convertible, truck, coupe, SUV, etc.
b) The range of competitive vehicles for that car type
c) Your actual budget (including your “bottom line” monthly price)
d) Buy or Lease? (see #3)

3) Buy or lease? Most people should own, not lease cars. Its better not to pay for just the most expensive years of a depreciating asset.

The exception is if you can lease with pre-tax dollars — if you own (or are senior enough in) a company, than a lease may be a great deal. But without that tax advantage, the numbers favor owning.

4) Know Your Price Range and Approximate Cost of Cars: All of the cars I mentioned have extensive websites where you can build and price vehicles. You end up with MSRP.

5) Understand Factors Which Impact Pricing: The cost of any given car is a function of its retail price (MSRP), specific programs dealers are running, financing, what is hot or not, and other factors.

6) Be aware of the sales routine: If you followed steps 1-5, you know the approximate cost of the car, plus the options you want, and how that prices it.

7) Understand the buying/leasing math: The purchase math is simple: Negotiated cost of car plus financing expenses.

8) Use Online Salespersons: I asked several dealers for quotes on cars. If they ignored my request for an emailed quote and called, I held that against them. Different dealers have differing demands for specific cars. Some of the deals were very competitive .

9) Go to Competing Dealerships: Don’t be afraid to cast a wide net.

10) Use a car buying service:  That was the suggestion for people who are too busy or intimidated or who simply dont want to be bothered. Leading suggestions: USAA, Credit Unions, and (mulitple recommendations) CostCo.

Check out TBP’s full guide at http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2013/02/guide-leasing-buying/

We are disappointed to report that the Nightly Business Report has been purchased by CNBC.

“Nightly Business Report,” the 34-year-old nightly business news show that airs on public television stations across the country, will start being produced by CNBC, according to a deal announced today.

We have often referenced NBR as trusted source for unbiased advice, news and perspective for long-term investors.   However, the takeover by CNBC is a cause for grave concern. CNBC, in our opinion, is a source of financial “noise” that inspires investors to take rash decisions and erode they long-term investing discipline.