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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - You may not be one of the "gear-heads" in Detroit this week for the Annual North American International Auto Show, but you're still gawking at the hot wheels.

Why not start the year in a new driver's seat? Getting the best deal can be tricky and time-consuming, but today's Five Tips with give you the edge in getting the best ride for your buck.

Avoid "buyer's remorse" by knowing the facts. There are loads of cars for sale but probably few will both meet your needs and offer the best value.

For a small monthly fee, you can get access to Consumer Reports' vehicle recommendations, as well as their ratings on safety, reliability and class on its Web site: www.ConsumerReports.org.

When you have an idea of what you want, check out Kelley Blue Book's Web site at www.KBB.com. KBB is not just for used cars anymore; it also has great information on new models.

Once you have the information you need, start shopping around at the different dealerships. If you hate the haggling, try a dealership's Web site to get information and prices on cars. Still, you'll want to go to the dealership to test drive each car you're looking at.

The average incentive right now is $5,200, the highest ever recorded in January. Incentives vary by area, so check your local newspapers.

Also think about incentives that aren't advertised. According to Consumer Reports, dealerships often don't tell buyers about rebates or cheap loans that are available.

"Hidden incentives happen all the time," says Art Spinella, president of CNW Research.

So when they offer you their incentives, be tough, ask straight up, "Is there anything additional you can give me?"

Here's another way to milk the dealer: take some of his or her incentive from the automaker. Manufacturers give money to dealers who meet sales quotas. So follow that old rule of thumb: Buy at the end of the month. If a dealer is trying to meet a quota, he or she might cut you a better deal to push another car off the lot.

Dealers also make extra cash by selling demo cars, which are the ones you test-drive. Spinella says you can get an extra $500 to $1000 off a demo, which carries very few miles.

Once you have a handle on what incentives are available, start negotiating the car's price. During the negotiations, you need to be clear about what you want and don't want in the car.

If they don't have what you want on the lot, don't be afraid to make a stink about it. You can ask the dealer to order the car, or use the situation as a negotiating opportunity. Ask for a couple hundred bucks off because you won't get a 6-CD-changer. If the color of the car is awful, insist on a couple thousand off.

If you are not getting the price to budge, one of your best negotiating tools is the option to walk away. Auto salespeople know that fewer than 20 percent of the people who walk off ever come back. It's in their best interest to call you up with a better offer, or they lose a sale. So be strong.

Typically, you'll have to choose between a cash rebate and zero percent or low financing. Since most banks aren't competitive with dealers' near-zero financing, you may be tempted to take a loan with the dealer. But the cash rebate may be appealing especially if you need it to serve as your down payment. How do you decide?

"Go armed to the dealership with your own financing lined up at a bank or credit union," Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com.

That will allow you to be a better comparison shopper. Find out how much of a cash rebate the dealer offers you and the interest rate he or she will give you based on your credit report. The best deal is the one that offers you the lowest total cost of the car and the interest.

To determine whether the rebate or low financing will offer you the best deal, log onto www.Bankrate.com, click on "Calculators" and select the link, "Compare low-interest rate and rebate." With a bit of information, the calculator will tell you which option is the better deal.

If you find you don't think you can manage the monthly payments on either loan, you likely can't afford the car. Don't make submit to the temptation to take out a long-term loan.

"Stringing a car loan out is not healthy," McBride says. "Four years on an auto loan is normal. Seven years is not. Your loan shouldn't last longer than the car."

If you are dreaming of luxury but don't think you can afford it, think again. Plenty of big-name luxury brands are offering pre-owned certified vehicles. These are cars that were previously leased to consumers and are in good condition.

Most cars come with only 40,000 miles on them, have passed a 150-point checklist, and have been refurbished to be nearly new. The best part is they come with a new car warranty. You'll pay a premium of about $1200 to get a pre-owned certified, but Spinella says "it's worth it."

Watch the fine print though. A dealer certified vehicles limits your warranty to just that dealership, but a manufacturer certified vehicle offers a better deal. Your warranty will be with the automaker, for example Ford. If any problem pops up with the car, you can go to any Ford dealership for repairs.