If you're among the alpha wave of car shoppers returning to the showrooms, here's a tip: before you sign on the bottom line for that shiny new ride, check on the cost of insurance. The wrong choice can cost you thousands per year. Insure.com has just released its list of the most and least expensive vehicles to insure.

Leading the pack in the highest cost to insure is the Nissan GT-R, Motor Trend's Car of the Year. This lightening-fast production car claims to be able to cruise at 185+ mph. I suppose if you can afford one at $76,840, you won't worry about the $2,533 per year insurance.

The top 10 for 2009:

1. Nissan GT-R, $2,533
2. Dodge Viper, $2,446
3. BMW M6, $2,236
4. Ford Shelby GT500, $2,186
5. Mercedes-Benz G-Class, $2,088
6. Audi S8, $2,071
7. BMW M5, $2,202
8. Hummer H2, $1,912
9. Lexus IS F, $1,881
10. Porsche 911, $1,819

Looking for a bargain? Then check out the ten cars with the lowest insurance cost:

1. Hyundai Santa Fe, $832
2. Kia Sportage, $840
3. Hyundai Entourage
4. Kia Sedona, $857
5. Kia Rio5, $870
6. Honda Odyssey, $871
7. Smart Fortwo, $881
8. Saturn VUE, $911
9. Mazda Tribute, $913
10. Chrysler Town and Country, $915

Remember, the sales price of a new car is only part of its overall cost of operation. If you can see through the illusion that what you drive is who you are, you can bank a lot of cash by driving a vehicle that is cheap to insure. And to my way of thinking, a hefty investment portfolio is much sexier.

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