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.

Deadly North Bellport shooting ... Blakeman's pitch to slash income tax ... Carle Place revitalization Credit: Newsday

Up close with Gilgo killer's court officer ... Deadly North Bellport shooting ... Jericho football forfeits season ... Picture This: 1996 Yankees

Deadly North Bellport shooting ... Blakeman's pitch to slash income tax ... Carle Place revitalization Credit: Newsday

Up close with Gilgo killer's court officer ... Deadly North Bellport shooting ... Jericho football forfeits season ... Picture This: 1996 Yankees

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