When buying a car for a teen driver it is important to consider safety and reliability.  After all, teens don’t have a lot of experience.  When car shopping for a young driver, cars should be considered that have good crash-test results and advanced safety features.  This will hopefully keep your teen from avoiding roadside assistance calls.

For the most part big, heavy vehicles perform the best in crash tests.  However, large cars can be hard to handle and often have lousy fuel economy.  SUVs and large pickup trucks aren’t recommended for teens because they are more prone to roll over in an accident than other cars.

The best bet for teens is a mid-size sedan with good safety and crash ratings.  Some cars that have these features are the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Acura RSX and Subaru Impreza.

The best thing to do when buying a car for a teenager is to get the newest model possible that is reliable.  Consult the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to see crash results for cars that you are considering.  These simple considerations will keep your teen from needing emergency roadside assistance.  In addition, purchase used car warranties to protect teen drivers.

You can get SUVs in a large variety of sizes and prices.  They give you more versatility than any other kind of vehicle.  They allow different options for carrying cargo, will hold up to eight people, and allow people to be higher up off of the road.  Also, they can handle off-road terrain.  SUVs come in car based and truck based options.  Which one is for you?

Car based SUVs are becoming more and more popular.  They are on unibody platforms that are car-like.  Also, they have a completely independent suspension, and feature all-wheel drive.  In addition, they often have better fuel-efficiency and handle and ride comfortably.  Finally, they rate highest in CR testing.

SUVs that are truck-based have a body on frame platform.  They usually have a large towing capacity and can tackle difficult terrain.  However, handling these vehicles can be more difficult and cumbersome.  Also, they can sometimes have a jolting ride.

SUVs are a terrific option if you need a lot of cargo space, a large capacity for passengers, and off road options.  However, a roadside assistance program is always a good idea when driving on difficult terrain.  In addition, used car warranties will give you peace of mind.

Many people claim to love the smell of a new car.  However, the chemicals that gives cars that new smell may be harmful and have been known to cause long-term health issues.  However, consumers now have a guide that will aid them in figuring out the cars that are the safest.

An advocacy group in Michigan, called The Ecology Center, recently published a guide about toxic chemicals in vehicles and child seats on Tuesday.

The report deals with harmful substances, such as chlorine, bromine, heavy metals and lead.  The Ecology Center got samples of parts that people touch the most, such as center consoles, steering wheels, and seat fronts.

The investigation determined that there are top healthier cars from Smart, Acura, BMW, Chevrolet, Toyota and Honda.  Some cars that created high concern were by Suzuki, Mitsubishi, VW, BMW, Mazda, Lincoln, Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Kia.

Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with car safety issues.  They are taking precautions, such as doing research on new cars, and purchasing cars with added safety features, and new car warranties.

Well, it is obvious that hybrids are the wave of the future.  Gas prices are staying around $3 per gallon and the price of oil is approximately $100 per barrel.  Motorists are spending a lot of money on maintenance, new car warranties and financing, and need to save on fuel costs.  So, is it worth it to buy a hybrid to save money at the gas pump?  Let’s take a look.

To see how long it will take you to recoup your premium up-front, we can compare the Toyota Camry Hybrid to a typical Camry.  Because of the equipment level of the hybrid, however, it is necessary to compare it to the V-6 Camry LE.  The base prices of the cars are only $2,000 apart.  The Hybrid is $25,000 and the Camry V6 LE is $23,640.

According to Toyota, the Camry Hybrid gets 33mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway.  The Camry V6, however, gets 21mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway.

If you were to drive 15,000 miles in a year you will use about 454 gallons.  With the V6 LE you will burn approximately 635 gallons in a year.  If gas costs $3.20 per gallon, you will have a fuel cost savings of approximately $547 per year.  This means that you would recoup the premium up-front that you spent to purchase the hybrid.

In this comparison you can see that in the long run you will end up saving with a hybrid. In addition, you get the satisfaction of doing a service to your planet.

Most people find minivans appealing because they have the ability to carry cargo and people in different combinations.  You can configure them for a variety of needs.  They are offered with climate control in dual zones and have DVD systems in the rear.  These features make the minivan popular with different buyers, especially families.

Minivans have tons of interior room, offering plenty of head and legroom.  Recent models have sliding doors on either side of the vehicle.  This makes for quick and easy access.  Also, many models offer the feature of a button or switch to open the doors.

Minivans come equipped with seating for up to eight people.  Models for seven passengers have captain’s chairs instead of a bench.  The Honda Odyssey has a removable seat in the center for seating flexibility.

Minivans are a great option for people who need flexibility for people and cargo space.  They offer many features that make for a convenient, comfortable vehicle.  Like with any vehicle purchase, it is wise to purchase new car warranties to protect your investment.

If you’re thinking of purchasing a small SUV you’re in luck because there are many good choices.  Compact SUVs offer practicality, fuel-efficiency, and nice style.  In fact you can find many models for under $25,000 complete with an auto warranty.  So what are the best and worst models to consider?  Read on.

The Honda CR-V is the #1 compact SUV.  It scored the highest for performance, safety, and interior.  According to reviewers, it drives really well, has a sleek design and offers ample storage room.  Following close behind, the Toyota RAV4 comes in second place in its class.  This vehicle has a surprising amount of power for its size. It now offers a V-6 engine, as well as a third row seat. The RAV4 was the first compact SUV in its class over a decade ago.  Coming in #3 is the Subaru Forester.  This SUV is known for being a fun, family-friendly vehicle.  Reviewers complained about the exterior being bland and the balky transmission, but were willing to overlook these things because it had some great positive features.

Unfortunately, there are some compact SUVs that didn’t rank as well.  In last place was the Saturn Vue Hybrid.  According to reviewers, it isn’t very refined and isn’t as fuel thrifty as many other hybrids.  Also at the bottom of the list is the Mazda Tribute because its power and handling doesn’t match its competitors.  Finally, the Jeep Compass drives more like a car, but doesn’t have the sportiness or off-road capabilities that other Jeeps have.

If you’re looking to buy a compact SUV, there are many great choices out there.  The most important thing is to do your homework and make sure you are choosing wisely.  Also keep in mind the cost of new car warranties, maintenance costs and auto loans when determining your budget.

Probably the one vehicle that has been known to stir up people’s emotions like no other is the convertible. Driving a convertible gives a motorist a sense of exhilaration and freedom.  There are around 30 models of convertibles in the U.S. ranging from $20,000 to over $300,000.  What are the most popular?

The #1 convertible for popularity is the Ford Mustang.  This car rides on the identical platform as the Mustang Coupe.  It also has the same transmissions and engines; this includes the V8 with 300 hp.  The shape of the roofline is also similar to the coupe and has a drop top that will fold up in Z fashion.

The #2 spot belongs to the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible.  This car has a 400 hp V8.  It weighs only 20 more pounds than the coupe and can hit 60mph in under five seconds.  This car comes with the choice of a manual top or a fabric top with five layers.

Next is the Pontiac Solstice.  This vehicle sports subtle and simple styling.  It has a solid shape that is smooth, as well as a wide, low stance.  This convertible is the first two- seater by Pontiac since 1940.  It has a 177 hp engine.

A convertible is a great choice for anyone who wants to have an exhilarating drive.  These three models have a lot to offer consumers and come with new car warranties.

Smart cars are becoming more and more popular because of the downsizing trend.  But many consumers have reservations about the safety of this car because of its 8 feet long, 5 feet tall dimensions.  So how does the Smart car measure up in safety?

According to crash tests conducted in May by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Smart car received the highest rating possible in side and front crashes and the second highest in rear crashes.  The Smart car comes standard with front-end airbags on the passenger and driver side.

Also, motorists can feel good knowing that the Smart Car is made by Mercedes.  The Mercedes name has earned consumers trust, and they have always had excellent safety.

In the Smart Car the passengers are essentially sitting on top of a roll cage.  This is an iron frame that surrounds the car and provides a buffer zone in crashes.

Although the Smart Car has excellent safety features, the IIHS reminds consumers that cars are ranked in their class, determined by the size and weight of the vehicle.  This means that the Smart Car is in the top of its class, but this doesn’t mean that the car is as safe as vehicles in other classes.

Consumers are taking safety into their own hands by purchasing safe cars and signing up for roadside assistance programs and new car warranties.  The Smart Car is a great choice for its class based on its safety features.

Most people looking to buy a new vehicle are concerned only with the sticker price.  While this is an important number to consider, another number is just as important: the resale value.  During the initial five years of ownership, depreciation is the biggest expense that drivers will incur.

Most cars will only retain just over 30 percent of the original sticker price after five years.  For instance, if a vehicle sold for $20, 000 it would only be worth $7,000 five years later.

However, certain vehicles will hold onto their value much better than others.  A lot of a car’s resale value is determined by supply and demand, and also how the market is projected to be.  Also important is the quality of a vehicle.  Cars sell better if they were built well.

There are a few factors that new car shoppers should take into account in order to ensure that the value of their car holds as much as possible.  First of all, it is important to purchase a car with a popular exterior color.  These include white, black, gray and silver.  Secondly, a vehicle that has a classic, traditional style will have a higher resale value than something trendy.

When purchasing a new vehicle, stick with a well-built, classic car.  This will keep you from losing money in the long run.  Also, to hold onto your money, purchase new car warranties that will keep you from shelling out money for costly repairs.

Most people depend on major car companies, like Avis for rentals on business trips and vacations. Yet, most people don’t realize that firms such as these are great sources of well-priced used vehicles.  Avis’ business is rental cars, however, they also sell their older models.  Car shoppers get a big savings by purchasing a vehicle from Avis instead of car dealers.  This gives people the opportunity to put their money towards used car warranties that will protect their car.

Avis sells their vehicles that are more than one year old so they can make room for more recent models.  This is how Avis ensures that they have a well-maintained and current fleet.  When certain car models prove to be popular, Avis often sells them early, after the car has passed a certain mileage.

Another good thing about purchasing a car from Avis is that they treat their vehicles with metallic paint.  On the other hand, car dealers usually don’t do this.  One concern that car shoppers have is that rental cars have been through a lot of wear and tear.  Yet, Avis points out that vehicles for sale are around six months old and less than 13,000 miles.  Also important is that many times the car’s auto warranty is still valid.  However, the auto warranty will only last for approximately one year, so it is important to shop around for used car warranties.