(MONEY Magazine) – Roadside assistance: Many new cars now come with an 800 number for emergency roadside assistance, but General Motors' OnStar (available on 25 models so far) is special: OnStar works with global positioning satellites (which keep track of where the car is) and an installed cellular phone. If the car alarm goes off, it will register at GM's 24-hour service center, where GM will first try to reach you before they call the police--telling them precisely where to find the car. If an air bag is triggered and the service center can't raise you on the cellular phone, the center will call 911 in your area. Even if you merely lock yourself out of the car--ready for this?--they can unlock the doors remotely. Of course, none of this is free. The extra equipment adds about $1,300 to the car's price, and the monthly service fee is $22.50.

New car: Car writers love the Mazda Millenia, but it hasn't sold well, prompting the company to institute an unusually large dealer incentive worth about $3,700. A Millenia with "premium package," including leather interior and moonroof, can be had for around $25,750, if you're a reasonably good bargainer. That's $3,000 below the dealer cost on the Millenia--and some $8,000 less than a similarly equipped competitor like the Lexus GS 300. One more word of advice: If you're enticed by this opportunity, you should probably act quickly; hefty incentives like this don't hang around forever.

Minivan: Here's one of the biggest discounts on a popular van you will ever see: Although the Dodge Grand Caravan's well-equipped SE model has a list price of $22,285 and a dealer cost of $20,171, auto-buying services report consistent bids of $500 below dealer cost, or $19,671. But there's more: This van also currently carries a $1,000 consumer rebate, taking you down to $18,671. And don't stop there: If you already own a Chrysler Corp. van (Dodge, Plymouth or Chrysler), you are eligible for a "coupon" discount of another $1,000. That brings the final price down under $18,000.

Status car: When you talk about cars with real cachet, the minimum price that comes to mind is $40,000. But you can get the new BMW 318ti hatchback for just a little over half that: The car is selling at about $20,900, below its suggested retail price of $21,390 despite strong demand. If you like your status sporty, you can't beat this bargain-priced BMW.

Sport utility lease: Demand for the Isuzu Rodeo trails far behind its leading competitors, the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee--and that is where the opportunity is. For 1998, the Rodeo was redesigned with a bigger, more powerful engine that reviewers raved about. Still, Isuzu has priced its lease to move: With an effective interest rate of only 5.7% (vs. a typical 8.9%), the Rodeo can be had for $269 a month over 48 months with $499 down. No wonder auto research specialist Intellichoice (www.intellichoice.com) has the Rodeo on its "Gold Star" list of leases.

Sport utility alternative: Sport utility lovers who don't like bulkiness or low gas mileage should consider four-wheel-drive station wagons. While a typically equipped high-volume Explorer XLT goes for about $27,800, the Subaru Legacy Outback, which features all-wheel drive that engages automatically whenever needed, has a list price of $23,295 and a likely purchase price around $22,250. What about alternatives such as Audi's A6 all-wheel-drive wagon? The Outback has more luggage capacity (36.5 cubic feet vs. 33.9) and a list price more than $10,000 lower.

Used sport utility: When new, the Chevrolet Blazer costs about the same as the top-selling Ford Explorer. But in the used-car market, it's a whole different story. That's because the Blazer hasn't captured public imagination as well as the competition has. As a result, a 1995 Blazer LS four-door, four-wheel drive runs about $18,700, or $2,000 cheaper than a comparable Explorer.

Used sports car: When you're in the market for a used car, you want to find one that's got a reputation for durability. That's why a Mazda Miata is a great choice, says Peter Bohr, used-car specialist for Road & Track magazine. A 1992 model (pictured opposite) goes for just under $10,000. "Often you can find Miatas with low mileage," says Bohr, "because most of them were bought to drive for fun, not as commuter workhorses."

Car-buying service: If you want somebody else to do your new-car shopping, call AutoAdvisor at 800-326-1976 (or use the Net at www.autoadvisor .com). This Seattle-based service is the only one that offers two price levels: $395 for full service (they track down the car you want, and you only have to pick it up from the dealer) and $155 for partial service (five quotes from dealers in your area on the car you want). Either way, AutoAdvisor saves you from endless trips to get bids from competing dealers.