Never tell them how much you're willing to spend. Get all your prices without downpayments. Once you like the pice, them bring in the downpayment.

If they ask you what color you want... Ask them what color they don't have available right now. At that moment, the salesman will know you're looking for a good price. No matter what color you're looking for as absolutely nothing to do with the final price. Discuss color only once the final price as dropped.

No matter how many numbers they give you, always come back with the same question: "What's the bottom line price?".

As said before shop around. Get the best price you can get. Then come back to one dealer and ask them.

you: Are you willing to go down in price? Because I went somewhere else and got better than what you're offering me right now. On top of that they include this, that, that and that(whatever options).

Salesman: Well... I don't know. What price were you offered, and what place offered you lower?

you: What they offer, and who offers it, is not relevant. If you want to sell me a car, just let me know if your price can drop or not? If it can't then, I'll leave and stop loosing both your's and my time.

Sales man: Well xxxxx$ is the price I can offer you if you buy today .

you: So xxxxx$ is your final price? And by the way, I won't sign today. Is your price still holding up?

Now, you don't sign any papers. You ask the salesman to put that price down on a piece of paper with his signature. Then take that piece of paper to the next dealer. Do that 2 or 3 times per dealer, and you will get the best price out there.

BTW, if one dealer offers you 50$ lower than the other one, do not take his price. He's trying to lowball the other dealer. A dealer that does that kind of things, is a dealer with whom you will have problems.

1 other thing. You do have to show your interest in buying that car. But don't show how much you like it. To your eyes it should be like buying a Festiva.

Buying a car takes more than 1 day. It may take you as long as a week, maybe even 2.

edit: Never talk first . If he gives you a price you don't like and stop talking... Don't say a word. Just sit there, looking like you're in deep thaughts, thinking about his price. Before you talk again, wait for his next line.