Should I negotiate my trade-in separately from the new car price?

Yes, it usually helps. Combining the trade-in, the new car price and financing in one conversation makes it easy for numbers to shift between them. Settle the purchase price first, then the trade-in value, then financing. Get outside estimates or offers on your trade so you know its value. OffLot's Trade-in and Sell my car pages help you estimate your trade equity, which is the vehicle's value minus any loan payoff.