I wanted to know how you guys normally negotiate your car prices. Do you go by Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book as a starting point? Also, besides taxes, title, and registration, are other fees just padded fees (read negotiable)?

I've not done much negotiating. My first car purchase was a brand new 2006 Corolla LE with a moonroof and the rest standard features. I ended up paying $19k out of the door. Months later I asked around others who made similar purchases, and I felt like I didn't get a good deal. This time around I've been reading various articles, so I'm getting some additional tips. However, I wanted to get some comments from the local folks.

The car that I'm interested right now is a Mazda CX-9. I saw an ad for a 2008 Grand Touring version with 40k miles, leather seats, moon roof, navigation, etc. for $25k (pre-negotiated price... not sure if this can be haggled). I've looked at Edmunds, KBB, NADA, Automotive, and VMRintl, and the average price is around $22.5k. I figured if I add on $2k for taxes and other fees, then a bottom line price of $24k would be a good deal in my book. Does this sound like a good price?