There's a wealth of information available on the Internet on every imaginable vehicle, some of it straightforward and some of it opinion. All of it can help you make an informed decision on which vehicle will suit you best.

Manufacturer's Web site

Independent Web sites

Many of these sites also help you research a used-car purchase, as well as check out a fair trade-in or direct sale value for your current car.

Government Web sites

For those concerned about a vehicle's environmental impact and fuel economy, the Environmental Protection Agency maintains an online database of the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicles, and the California Air Resources Board provides additional information on clean-running vehicles for that state.

Tip: The two best times of the year to purchase a car are the end of December (when dealers are competing for Christmas shoppers) and between July and October (when dealers are making room for new models).