It's summer, and potential car buyers know what that means: It's clean sweep time at your local dealer.

	Steve Urbanski illustration Click image for larger version.

Both car makers and dealers are offering special deals and packages aimed squarely at buyers, who start flocking to showrooms as soon as the weather gets warm.

To help sort through the confusion, we've identified cars and trucks that you might have overlooked.

All of these are worthy products. But with new cars and trucks being introduced at lightning speed, it's tough for older models to get any attention on the showroom floor when everybody wants to see the latest thing on wheels.

Each article is topped with models you don't want to miss when you hit the dealerships.

But that's not all that you'll find in this guide.

Summer also is a time of great anticipation for car enthusiasts, who wonder what the new models will be like when they make their debut.

The 2008 model year, which officially begins in the fall, promises to be a particularly busy one for the auto industry.

With all that in mind, we've got a special section at the end of each story that will tell you what to expect come fall from your favorite car makers. If there's no information on 2008 models at the end of these stories, it's because the car company has few or no changes planned for its current offerings -- or things are still "hush-hush" about that particular make's new models.

Acura Acura had busy year with new models Audi Audi a satisfying luxury car BMW It's hard to overlook BMW offerings Buick Buick Lucerne steals attention from other models Cadillac Cadillac DTS has the original bling Chevrolet Chevy Malibu still good, but with a better one coming Chrysler New Dodge Avenger a mini-Charger Dodge New Dodge Avenger a mini-Charger Ford Ford offers many models to pick from GMC Acadia should make for a happy summer Honda Honda may give buyers Fits Hummer Hummers are hard to miss Hyundai Hyundai driving for success with many models Infiniti Infiniti a car maker on the rise Jaguar Jag's XK Coupe will turn heads

Kia Kia focusing on value Land Rover New year is here for rugged Land Rover Lexus Luxury that exceeds the luxury field Lincoln/Mercury Lincoln crosses over with style Mazda Mazda has a lot to offer Mercedes Mercedes has had a good year Mitsubishi Mitsubishi still a factor Nissan Nissan offers much to look at Pontiac Pontiac G8 in the wings Porsche Porsche Cayenne an SUV with racing stripes SAAB Saab brings back an old color Saturn Saturn has a new Aura Subaru Subaru launches new Tribeca Suzuki Suzuki responding to market demands Toyota Toyota lineup hides sturdy Corolla Volkswagen VW bouncing back with Rabbitt Volvo Volvo adds to luxury market

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