What worked for me was to email every dealer in the area that would carry the car I wanted. I got prices. I went to the local dealer and did not tell them that I had been shopping around. He showed me the car. I made sure he knew what I wanted. I got him to email me what he had. Then I went two rounds via email letting each of them know how wonderful of a deal I was getting. Eventually I was told hey your getting the best deal you can I reccomend you A. Come to us because we are close and we have the best Service avaliable or B. Go buy that car from the other guy because he really needs to sell a car bad. He is making next to nothing on it.
Then I went back to the local guy and he said he would match any deal... Be short and to the point. Thank them for their help. I was able to get $ 1700 below the first price I had. Then I decided I wanted a VW Jetta TDI and thanked everyone and went to the local VW place in town! 
I handeled everything VIA Text, and email after I met the local guy. I hate talking to sales men because they just confuse the situation...
