Once you have a clear picture of what you need, you may be tempted just to head to a dealership. Think again. Investigating your choices ahead of time will save time and aggravation -- and maybe even money.

Research on the internet or at a bookstore. Cars get a lot of attention in the press, so you're sure to find plenty of up-to-date information and evaluations of the models in which you're interested. Becoming familiar with current prices and features can be especially helpful if you haven't purchased a car in a few years. The American Automobile Association (AAA) and Consumers Union are several services which offer printouts of car manufacturing pricing by make and model, for a fee.

Make a list of all the important features and options you personally want or need in a car -- everything from head and leg room, automatic or standard transmission, and trunk size to air bags, antilock brakes, air conditioning and stereo. Then write down all the models that have those features. You may find a few more cars on the list than you expected, giving you a bigger pool from which to choose. Or you may find that only a few cars fit your needs, which will save you time when you do head to a dealership.