The flashy cars in a dealership's showroom can be tempting, so know which vehicle you're going to buy before you get there. Checkout pictures of sports cars.

Knowing what you want--or need--before you start making the rounds at dealerships can save both time and money. It's human nature to go looking for a practical family vehicle like a minivan, but become distracted in the showroom by a flashy sport sedan that costs more. Whatever the model, if emotion drives you to an impulsive purchase, you are likely to pay more and suffer regret later.

With so many brands and types of vehicles to choose from, consumers have more possibilities than ever, meaning automakers have to fight for every sale.

Besides offering traditional incentives in the form of cut-rate financing and/or cash rebates, automakers may offer such enticements as low lease rates, free maintenance, or, during a spike in oil prices, free gas cards.