Some advice on car buying? (Question 4)

By now several of you kind, patient, and knowledgeable jellies know that I am hopelessly ignorant and naive about shopping for a car. And this is after absorbing all the information I can find on Edmunds.com (a wonderful site—thank you!) as well as reading all your responses to me several times. I’m immensely grateful for all help and advice.

Here are my previous questions on this subject: [ 1 ]  [ 2 ]  [ 3 ]

I’m pretty close to narrowing my choice to a 2012 Ford Focus.

•  I want a safe, reliable design.
•  I want a trunk and not a hatchback.
•  I don’t want sporty.
•  I want a small car that’s easy to manuever and park.
•  I no longer commute.
•  I don’t drive every day.
•  I rarely carry a passenger.
•  I’d like a car I can keep a long time so I don’t have to do this very often.
•  I’d prefer new. I’ve never had a new car. And I want to pick the color.

So—after making an online inquiry, I have an e-mail quote from a dealer, considerably below MSRP, and I have an appointment to test-drive it.

I’ve put aside the savings so I can pay cash.

My question: If I walk in and like it and am ready to buy, am I a fool if I just pay the quoted price? Am I expected to dicker at that point or not? Haven’t the rules changed in recent years so it’s less of a game of chicken? What’s the current expectation and practice?