Dearlers are in the drivers' seat, but there are things...

Dearlers are in the drivers' seat, but there are things car buyers can do to make their purchasing experience smoother.  Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.

You can't always get what you want.

New cars are in short supply, auto prices are soaring and consumers are scrambling.

But there are some things that shoppers can do to make the buying experience smoother, said Benjamin Preston, auto reporter at Consumer Reports, and Kimberly Palmer, personal finance expert at NerdWallet, a personal finance information company in San Francisco.

Wallet Watch: Steps LI families can take to cut college costs ... The Ugly Dumpling" opens 1st LI location ... Near record warmth on the way Credit: Newsday

Preview of tonight's gubernatorial debate ... Village eases path for housing near casino ... Working Moms: Postpartum support ... Wallet Watch: Steps families can take to cut college costs

Wallet Watch: Steps LI families can take to cut college costs ... The Ugly Dumpling" opens 1st LI location ... Near record warmth on the way Credit: Newsday

Preview of tonight's gubernatorial debate ... Village eases path for housing near casino ... Working Moms: Postpartum support ... Wallet Watch: Steps families can take to cut college costs

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