Q: I'm a 42-year-old woman and have never bought a vehicle on my own. I prefer the Honda Element or Dodge Caravan but want a fair deal. --I.C., Skokie

A: Do some research on both vehicles so you feel more comfortable with their pros and cons. When visiting a dealer, bargain up from the invoice price -- not down from the sticker price put on the vehicle's window. Don't forget to look up invoice prices for both the vehicle and its options, which can significantly raise the vehicle's base price. Retail and invoice prices are easily gotten from Internet auto Web sites. Drive any vehicle you're considering at least on city streets and expressways. If a dealer won't let you do that, find one that will. Studies show that woman long have indirectly influenced vehicle purchases, and an increasing number now are confidently buying vehicles on their own. Avoid sales people who "treat you like a woman," if only because they're annoying, and find one with whom you feel comfortable.

Q: I bought a used 2005 Range Rover from a dealership, after I found via the Carfax auto research outfit that the vehicle failed its last emissions test. Is that allowed/legal? --J.O., Rockaway Park, N.Y.

A: A dealership is under no obligation to make sure a vehicle passes an emissions test, says Jerry Cizek III, president of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, which represents most area new-car dealers. For one thing, the Range Rover might have failed the test simply because it had a loose gasoline filler cap.

Q: I'm considering a small SUV but only want one with a manual transmission. My choices are the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson. I was also considering a Saturn Vue, but the Saturn people say it's not available. You wrote in the Oct. 6 AutoTimes that the four-cylinder Vue would be offered with a five-speed manual transmission "later in the 2008 model year." Will it be offered later in 2008 or in 2009? Also, which of the above SUVs would you recommend? --R.A., Orland Park

A: Saturn national spokesman Mike Morrissey says Saturn's plans changed since that article appeared and that a Vue with a manual transmission won't arrive until "at least the 2009 model year." The Compass is for those who want the Jeep look but don't need Jeep's traditional off-road prowess. The Tucson has modest off-road capabilities and lacks the Jeep's rugged look, but it is a good buy. Too bad the Vue doesn't have a manual gearbox because it would be my recommended choice of the three vehicles mentioned, although I'd get it with a V-6 and automatic transmission.

Q: I've been searching for a 2008 black Honda CR-V EX-L without the navigation system since November. But I may be getting the runaround from Honda dealers. They say to come in and that they can get me that vehicle through a dealer trade, but that hasn't happened yet. In the most recent instance, a dealer told me on a Saturday night that they had the CR-V I wanted, but when I was in route to that dealer on the following Monday night I was told, "Yes, we have it, but there's an option to buy from another customer." It was sold when I got there. Is the CR-V EX-L really so hot? --C.M., Hazel Crest

A: The EX-L is the top-line CR-V, which is hot. The front-drive EX-L without the navigation system has a $25,500 list price but costs $27,200 with the system. The all-wheel-drive EX-L without navigation is $26,700 but is $28,400 with it. There's more dealer profit for a CR-V EX-L with the "nav" system, and thus Honda dealers are ordering the EX-L with it. Also, an increasing number of vehicle buyers want that system. Why not just order the CR-V EX-L the way you want it?

Q: I read your article on the new Mercury Sable (Jan. 7 AutoTimes), which mentioned a lot of its good features. But auto reliability leads me to buy a Lexus. I have driven my 2002 Lexus nearly 200,000 miles, but my Dodge with about the same number of miles has used up many components, including two radiators and power window and door lock switches. --T.M., Lake Forest

A: Judging from its mileage, your Dodge is easily as old as your 2002 Lexus, which had better quality than that Dodge. However, Dodge quality has considerably improved, as has the quality of all American cars. There's no reason why the well-built Sable shouldn't last as long as a new Lexus if given proper maintenance, although the entry front-drive Lexus costs $10,180 more than the entry front-drive Sable. Will the Sable require more items replaced along the way? Nobody knows yet, but it just might, considering the initial price difference between the two cars. But don't make the mistake of comparing it with your old Dodge.

Car question? Send it to Dan Jedlicka, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago 60654, or e-mail djedlicka@suntimes.com. Include name and hometown.