If you have a willingness to shop and do your homework, you can save hundreds of dollars in the car-buying process. Armed with this information, you can walk into any car dealer and negotiate a good deal. Here are a few resources to help you along the way:

Car/Puter International has a telephone service that will give you the true cost on any make or model of car you are looking into by giving you the dealer's invoice cost. The service costs $2 per minute, and the average call costs about $16. Tip: Make sure you have the information ready about the specifications of the car you are looking at. It's a 24-hour a day service. The number is (900) 226-CARS.

Car/Puter International also makes available its toll-free number (800) 331-4001, where you can request a printout be mailed to you. The cost of the printout for any new car is $20 and they accept any bank card.

Nationwide Auto Brokers is a national car broker that will send you an invoice and sheet listing a car's options. If you use the service to buy a car, they will refund the cost of the option sheet and tell you the suggested markup and vehicle cost. The price is $11.95 for the first quote, and $9.95 for each additional quote. You may reach them at (800) 521-7257.

AutoAdvisor, Inc. is a national car buyer's service that can help you find any make and model at the guaranteed lowest price. They can handle trade-ins and they do all the negotiation with the dealer for you. For pricing information, call (800) 326-1976.