This game is also available on GBA.
A first tip for the beginner is to firstly roam the cities in which you will be roaming in so you can tell where the bad places are for traffic and you know the whereabouts of the flags that you will have to get when you choose to start the mission.
In the first level, you are limited to 4 cars which all kind of look rubbish but the best choice out of all of them would probably be the J400 as it is the best all rounder.
On the first level it is best to adjust the traffic flow to medium so that hopefully the computer will crash or swerve, thus slowing down their vehicle. A tip is not to hit pedestrians, as tempting as it sounds, they will slow you down. Also a good way to get a better view is to drive on the opposite side of the road as their lights can help you self co-ordinate more(find out where the enemies are, basically)
If you are also careful, you can use high sided vehicles to your advantage such as buses as if you are approaching a slow corner, keep your speed up and smack into the bus so that you can go round the corner without the car losing that much time and speed.
As I have said before it is best to learn the city as the best and simplest way to win missions is don't go too fast, don't hit too many cars and use the nitrous oxide, if you have it, on quiet, long roads.
The best cars are as follows to use for their reasons:
-Taxi-not for fast speeds but good control and hardiness.
-All of the Jones- but particularly the 450 as it is the first car you will come across that has nitrous oxide capability.
-Police Car-Incredibly fast.
-Amata Crescendo(The best all round performance all though this car is a bonus car.)