Linus,
Check out
www.consumerreports.org and
www.edmunds.com for reviews.
If buying a used car, use
www.kbb.org for prices.
MSRP is the retail for the car. Get a copy of the "invoice", what they paid for the car. Your car price should be somewhere inbetween the two. 14 years ago when I bought my car
they said you shouldn't pay more than 1.5% above invoice. I have no idea what it is now, but Edmunds helped me a lot in terms of car buying back then.
If you are going to get a pickup truck, make sure it is 4 wheel drive.
Good luck to you.