Car Price Check:  is a leading online car broker that shops around UK-based franchised car dealers for the best deal.  To find a price for the car you want, simply submit the details; an email comes back with a quotation, sometimes within 24 hours.  The deals are good, with a saving of more than 8%on a Vauxhall Astra (a 1.6i LS five-door is £12,187).  If you are shopping at your local dealer, give Car Price Check a try before you decide - the site features only dealer-supplied, UK-sourced cars.

Autotrader: You've found that bargain buy on the internet, but how do you get rid of your old Car?  A good bet is this online version of the offline market leader.  An internet ad costs £5 for two weeks, against £26 for a week in my regional Autotrader (although this includes free net advertising).  Getting your ad online is easy; a simple menu system ensures you don't forget to include any of the main facts about your old banger, and you can either upload a picture yourself or send a conventional snapshot to Autotrader.

Jamjar.  This is the car-buying site of Direct Line.  Buy here and you are not restricted to imported cars,with which you usually have to wait months for delivery.  There is a trade -in option, with a valuation facility to calculate the worth of your old car.  The range on offer is wide - a Citroen Xsara Picasso cost £9,340, a saving of 31% - and you can get a quote on your new motor without having to register, thus avoiding a lifetime of junk e-mail.  As you would expect from Direct Line, you can also sign up for competitive finance and insurance.