Even though GT5 Prologue's available rides pale in comparison to a full blown Gran Turismo game, it's still a challenge to explore the limits of all 71 cars. you'll want to maximize the bang for your credits as you progress through single-player events and venture online.

As part of the Class C, C, and A guantlet you'll need to master to gain full online access, you're required to purchase vehicles like the Suzuki Cappuccino, BMW M3, and Ferrari F40. You can sell these cars after mastering the vehicle-specific events, but the credits you recover from these transactions are so insultingly low, you might as well keep the car.

It's the rides for the other events where you need to be discerning and selective. A good car choice will keep you competitive for a number of events. Select the wrong car and a frustrating string of losses will slow your progress and the recovery of your credit balance.

Performance and versatility are the keys to a good-bang-for-the-buck purchase: The Honda Integra Type R '04, the Nissan R35 GT-R '07, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 '06, and the Concept by Gran Turismo Lancer Evolution X/Tuned make for a formidable lineup that guarantees a favorable return on investment. There are sexier cars, but you'll be paying for style rather than substance.