Recently, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners did a study on the best and worst places in the country for auto insurance.  The study showed that drivers living in the Northeast pay the highest premiums.

The most costly state was New Jersey.  Its average premiums are more that $1,300 per year.  Our nations capital, Washington D.C. came in second with the average premiums over $1,185.  New York came in third with average premiums being over $1,110.

The study showed that elevated insurance costs in those areas are due to urban driving matters, high salaries, and dense traffic.  Also, costs for the liability insurance premiums that are average are elevated in the Northeast.

Northern and Midwestern states ranked as the lowest costs for insurance premiums.  Iowa has the lowest overall insurance at $530 per year.  Maine comes in second with $560 per year, and North Dakota is next at $570 per year.

This study shows that your location plays a key role in your auto insurance costs.  Consumers are paying more than ever for their automobiles with the costs of insurance, new car warranties, and maintenance.

Why would someone want to buy a pickup?  They offer the most flexibility in carrying cargo.  In addition, pickups have large payload facilities and the ability to tow.  Trucks with four door cabs allow seating for five, which makes them a good family vehicle.  In addition to an auto warranty, what other considerations do you need?  Here’s a list.

Consider whether you need compact or full-sized.  They offer different towing capacities and engines in addition to being different sizes.  Compact pickups are more fuel-efficient, easier to park, and cost less.  Full-sized pickups offer more room inside and out, have stronger engines, and have greater towing capabilities.

Bed lengths vary.  Beds range from 8 feet to 4 feet.  The longer the bed, the more difficult it is to maneuver.  Some compact trucks have a bed extender that flips out, which allows for carrying cargo that is longer.

Engines and transmissions can accommodate different needs.  For compact trucks, the base engine is a four-cylinder, which offers fuel-efficiency.  Five or six cylinder engines are optional, giving more power.  A V6 is the base engine for a full-sized truck.  For heavy towing and hauling consider a V8, V10, and diesel.

Pickups come in many sizes, with many options. Determine your use for a truck and pick the best option for you.  Doing your homework on such things as truck options, new car warranties and insurance will save you money and time down the road.

Listed at $22,995 the Chevrolet Cobalt SS gives you a lot for your money. This lets you save on the sticker price so you can have funds for new car warranties, fuel and maintenance costs. This vehicle is superb in style and amenities, but retains a balance that few entry-level cars have.

The SS version of the Cobalt is at the top of the Cobalt models.  It has a shape that is more attractive than other sport compact cars.  The 2008 version only comes as a two-door coupe.  A four-door version is expected for 2009.

This car comes standard with a short-throw manual 5-speed transmission, 18- inch wheels and sporty, suede seats.

The SS is very versatile on the road.  It can be a perfect commuter one minute and then turn into an exhilarating thrill ride the next.  It has a FE5 sport suspension that handles the irregularities in the road and provides a civilized ride.  However, ask the turbo for some boost and the car can keep an effortless pace.

The Cobalt will appeal to young lead-foots with its impressive design, power, and technology.  However, young and old alike will enjoy the overall refinement of this car.  With the addition of an auto warranty, you can rest assured that this car will offer reliability and enjoyment to a wide array of drivers.

If you go car shopping you may notice that some vehicles charge extra for the paint job.  This can add up to $1,000 on top of the price of the car. This may feel like a lot of money when you factor in other car expenses such as new car warranties, and maintenance.   It’s hard to believe that a bright yellow paint job can actually cost that amount.  And will you get that additional money back when you go to sell the vehicle?

Paint on a new vehicle isn’t just a matter of spraying a color on like it was in years past.  Metallic and clearcoat finishes are operations that are multistage.  This means that they sometimes require a higher expense of the assembly line.

But, even considering that, auto manufacturers have discovered a new way to make an additional profit by hiking up the price of some of the colors that are more distinct.

When you come right down to it, these fancy colors only add a small fraction of value when you put your vehicle up for sale.  In addition, some of the colors that are a bit odd actually lessen a vehicle’s value.  You have to remember what the most popular car colors are today, shades of gray

What is magic about the age 13 that makes it OK for children to finally ride in the front seat of the car?  Are they finally big enough to withstand the impact of an airbag?  Are they at the age where they can behave in the front seat?

Part of the problem is behavior.  When kids mess with the radio, and play around, they usually aren’t in a proper position when an airbag deploys.  In injuries and deaths, the proximity to the airbag in the front is a huge issue; in addition, proper positioning in the seat is a factor.  By 13, kids are more able to sit still and behave.

Around the ages 11 and 12, children are also bigger physically.  This is an issue because it is hard for children to have their backs against the seatback if their feet don’t touch the floor.  This means that they scrunch down putting them in a bad position for airbag deployment.

Kids under 13, need to ride in the back seat for their safety.  It isn’t worth it to put your child in the front and have them injured by an airbag.  Parents are concerned with many things such as new car warranties, auto loans, and maintenance, but most important is the safety of their children.

When purchasing a family vehicle several things should be considered.  These include reliability, safety, fuel-efficiency, and other personal concerns.  In addition, consumers should factor in the price of the vehicle to own, not just the sticker price.  For instance, new car warranties, maintenance costs, and insurance all need to be part of the equation.

It doesn’t have to be a hard process to shop for the right family car.  All you need to do is put some time into research beforehand so that you know your options.  Parents should evaluate how they will be using the car, the type and amount of cargo they intend on carrying, and how their needs might vary in the future.

Generally, parents need to focus on finding a vehicle that offers a lot of space and is versatile.  Families need a sufficient amount of cargo space, easy access, and windows that the kids can look out with ease.  If the rear seats are low, kids won’t be able to see out the windows, and they won’t be as happy.

There are many great options for family vehicles.  Small families will be just fine in four door sedans, or station wagons, whereas large families will benefit from an SUV or minivan.  Thinking through your needs in advance will ensure the proper choice.  In addition, doing your homework will save you money on the sticker price and an auto warranty.

The Saturn Vue SUV green line will have better fuel-efficiency than the Vues that are gas only.  They feature a simple hybrid system that Ford and Toyota use.  The green line is only around $1,500 more than the price of a comparable Vue that only operates on gas.  This allows consumers to be able to afford an auto warranty and maintenance costs. The retail price, $23,000 is approximately $4,000 under the Ford Escape Hybrid, which is the least expensive hybrid to date.

The Saturn Vue hybrid offers a 20% fuel savings over the gas operated Vue.  The Vue Green line supplements an engine that is four cylinders with electric power.  It gets 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.  In comparison, the gas only Vue gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

The Vue Green Line is the first SUV hybrid available with only front wheel drive.  They aren’t offered with all- or four-wheel drive, as with other hybrid SUVs for sale.

The “green” Vue doesn’t offer extraordinary fuel savings, but it is a good opportunity for consumers to purchase an SUV hybrid for under $25,000.  It is important for motorists to do their homework and calculate the cost of owning the vehicle. For example, consider new car warranties, car maintenance costs, and insurance on the SUV.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has recently announced that it will be requiring all passenger cars in the future to be equipped with standard stability control.  This is to be implemented by 2012.

Several car manufacturers have already put stability control in their cars, and others have upcoming plans to make it available.

Electronic stability control will reduce a car’s speed automatically by applying brake power to the wheels.  This will avoid skidding and loss of vehicle control.

Mercedes-Benz has installed this in their vehicles since 1995.  Mercedes cars that had ESC had 14 percent less crashes than cars without this technology.

There are other car brands that have implemented ESC.  These include Cadillac, BMW, and Audi.  Ford Motor Co. has announced that they will have this feature standard on all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles by late 2009.

Consumers are increasingly concerned with vehicle safety.  Although some of the latest technological advances can be costly, motorists are willing to pay for their safety.  In addition, drivers are purchasing new car warranties to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs on this new technology.

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.

These days there are many different places to purchase a used vehicle.  You can search the Internet from your own home, go to a car dealer, or go through a private owner.  Each of these is a good option if you do your homework.

If you want to car shop from the convenience of your home, you can search used-car websites.  You will be asked to fill in your price range, the make and model you want, and a zip code.  A list of cars will be displayed in your area with the seller’s information.  You can even place a classified ad if you would like to sell your old vehicle.

Independent pre-owned car dealers usually handle all car makes.  You can find anything from an almost new vehicle to a junker.  It is a good sign if a dealer has been around for a long time and has a good reputation.  One bonus to purchasing at a dealer is that they can arrange financing for you, as well as an auto warranty.

Typically, you will get the best price from a private owner.  They just want to get rid of their current vehicle and they don’t have to cover the overhead like a business does.  However, a private owner might not be aware of mechanical problems that a dealership would recognize.

Used cars are a great option for any buyer.  The important thing is that consumers do their homework about car prices, used car warranties, and auto loans.  This way you can make a wise purchase.