Car shoppers no longer have be at the mercy of a dealership sales person when shopping for a new vehicle. In the age of online resources and smart phones the resourceful consumer has a arsenal of information to help negotiate the best deal. Car research companies like Ebay Motors, Cars.com, Kelley’s Blue Book and Edmunds have free smart phone applications that allow drivers to check car prices and ratings while giving direction for nearby dealers. The app provides true market values, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), and helps the savvy consumer navigate the car buying process. Online calculators can help shoppers determine the type of car they can afford and how much a vehicle will cost whether paying cash, taking a loan or leasing the vehicle. Some of the apps offer a true cost to own feature which calculates how much car a buyer can afford, including taxes, interest, insurance, gas, and maintenance over the next five years. While not all apps may have information on used cars, providers say used car buyers will be offered that service very soon.