The new year looks set to be a great one for car sales both new and used. On the new car front, estimates from market research firm Polk suggest we'll see 15 million cars sold this year. Interest rates are low on auto loans and this is really a win all around for manufacturers, dealerships, and customers.

If you're in the market for a new car, here are Clark's tips for making a smart purchase:

• First, go to your credit union, online bank or traditional bank and prequalify for a car loan (or apply online.) That tells you how much car you can afford and what type of monthly payment you will have to budget.
• Start your research with at least two different vehicles in mind. Then check out the price, reliability, and cost to insure each of the cars you're considering. Check out the annual April auto issue from Consumer Reports for their list of recommended new car buys.
• Next, use the Internet to find out the dealer cost of the vehicle and the options you want. Websites like Edmunds.com, KBB.com (Kelley Blue Book) and NADA.com offer great tools that will help you determine the value. 
• When you've narrowed the search to one or two vehicles and have the actual dealer cost for each, shop online for instant price quotes. Websites such as CarsDirect.com, TrueCar.com, Overstock.com and Zag.com are great for this purpose.
• If you prefer not to buy online, use the online price quotes as a guideline and call the dealers to see if they'll match the price quote.  Look at cars when a dealership is closed, so there's no salesperson to pressure you. The best way to test-drive a car is to rent it for a day or two. It's the ultimate test drive.
• You can also buy your new car from a no-haggle dealership, such as through a warehouse club that has a car-buying program with pricing that has already been negotiated. In most cases, you'll save money and the process of buying will be faster and easier.
• If you do choose to negotiate with a traditional car dealer, be prepared for a difficult process.  When you go into the dealer to sign the paperwork, make sure what is on the purchase agreement is what you've agreed to previously by phone or fax. If it's not the same, do not go through with the deal. The best way to protect yourself in a dealership is to be willing to walk out.