The EPA is the arm of the government that is responsible for testing fuel economy, and its results are now posted on the stickers on new vehicles.  This is a different rating than the government’s CAFÉ numbers, which you might have heard about in Washington.

The real numbers by the EPA are predicted to go up an average of 0.2 mpg for 2009, compared to last year, the EPA claims, which will be about 20.8 mpg.

The final statistics won’t be in until later in 2009, but according to the EPA, these predictions demonstrate the fourth rise in a row in the average fuel efficiency of light trucks and cars.  In fact, trucks have actually had the largest impact of all.  Although their market share has gone down from 52% in 2004, to 48% in 2008, overall, their fuel-efficiency has gone up.

The figure of 20.8 mpg is the largest since the year 1993, and the EPA is predicting that the final number is going to be even higher because people have shifted to smaller cars.  Consumers are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles and new car warranties.

Well, it is obvious that hybrids are the wave of the future. 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.

Today, there are many options when purchasing a vehicle.  You can buy new, used or certified pre-owned.  However, many people just love the feeling of having that new car.  How do you know if a new car is right for you?

If you are one of those people who take great pride in the ownership of your vehicle, or have the first kid on the block syndrome, you should probably purchase a new car.  In addition to ownership pride, you will also be equipped with the newest car technologies, which will provide you with safety and comfort.  Also, new cars come with an auto warranty that brings owners peace of mind.

New vehicles also give back practical returns to those people who push their cars to the max and wear them out.  If you are logging a large amount of miles or hold onto a car for at least five years you should purchase the vehicle that you really want.  Also, if you are planning to customize your car with the transmission and engine, as well as other accessories and options to suit your style, you should buy new.

Let’s face it, there is no feeling like owning a new car and knowing that you aren’t inheriting any one else’s problems.  Buying a new car is a great way to go for people who have the funds.  In addition, new car warranties that come with new cars give you great peace of mind.

It isn’t surprising that Ford’s aiming the new 2010 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion hybrids straight at the Toyota Camry Hybrid, but what is attention getting is Ford claiming that its sedan hybrids will outdo the city mileage of the Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg.  That would make the Milan and Fusion hybrids’ rating at 38 mpg.  Although there wasn’t a number provided for highway mileage, Ford claims that it beats the Camry Hybrid in this area as well.  The Camry Hybrid currently gets 34 mpg/highway.

The complete reveal of the Milan and Fusion hybrids is going to wait until the Los Angeles auto show, however Ford just disclosed a few tidbits today about the new sedans.

The Milan and Fusion hybrids will be the first hybrid technology use, besides the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner hybrids.  Battery technology has undergone a big improvement since the launch of Ford’s compact SUV hybrids.

Consumers are anxious for new hybrid technology and want to save money on such things as gas, new car warranties, and auto loans.  In this poor economy, people are looking for all of the financial relief they can get, including hybrid technology.

There are some vehicles that have become part of the American psyche, which makes them frankly indispensable, just like an auto warranty.  But, what if some of these cars disappear?

The question of the hour is should the Detroit Three be knocked down or helped up?  With Chrysler and GM eating up federal money like a bowl of soup, the question is being debated.  But even people who are against a bailout for the auto industry acknowledge the large loss that will come if these carmakers go away.  For starters, good jobs would be lost, but also, we would lose cars.  Of course, new car models come and go, however the automotive world wouldn’t be the same without certain vehicles that have created memories that are unforgettable and inspired owners to be fiercely loyal.

Recently, 1,000 people were surveyed to find out which American vehicles they couldn’t live without.  The model that ranked first was the Chevrolet Corvette.  Other winners include the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and Saturn Sky roadster.  Pickup tricks on the list include the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram.

Whether you agree with bailing out the Detroit Three or not, you probably agree that Americans would be sad to see some of these vehicles go.  They are as valuable to people as new car warranties.

If you’re thinking of buying a new vehicle you need to think about safety features.  Things such as crash test results, electronic stability control, and rollover resistance are all things that are important in keeping you safe in your vehicle.  In addition, motorists should have good new car warranties to protect their wallets.

In order to give vehicles a safety rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs side impact and frontal crashes on cars.  Considering these results is important when it comes time to buy a new car.

Vehicles that are taller, such as SUVs and pickup trucks have a greater tendency to rollover since they have a high center of gravity.  You can find out a car’s inclination to rollover by looking at NHTSA five star ratings.

Electronic stability control is a safety feature that is extremely beneficial and highly recommended.  This feature allows you to maintain control of your car when you’re cornering.  You can avoid skidding and sliding with electronic stability control because brakes are automatically applied to the wheels that could use it.

Motorists are more concerned about safety than ever before.  Also, drivers are protecting themselves by signing up for roadside assistance programs.

People love to get a new car, but they don’t love the new car payments. But, although you can’t avoid those monthly payments, you can keep them reasonable. And make sure to factor in other costs, such as new car warranties, maintenance, and auto loans. Here are some tips to keep those car payments down.

Make sure you purchase a car that you need, not necessarily one that is on the lot.  Often, cars on the lot have more features than you need.  Dealers’ benefit from selling you one of these cars.  Not only do they move a vehicle off their lot, they sell you a more expensive car.

Only buy features that you must have.  For example, air conditioning is something most of us can’t live without, yet we don’t need climate control air conditioning.  You can save a lot of money by living without luxury features.  Watch out when the dealer tries to sell you power seats, audio systems, and tire packages.  All of these things are nice, but not essential.

You can save a lot by avoiding a bigger engine.  Test-drive a car model that has a standard engine.  You might find that the car has more than enough power.  By skipping the engine upgrade, you can save money upfront, as well as on fuel down the road.

Follow these simple tips to save yourself from paying high monthly payments.  However, realize that the one thing that you shouldn’t skimp on is purchasing an auto warranty.  You don’t want to be stuck with unnecessary repair costs down the road.

If you ask a woman if she would like to buy a Dodge Viper, chances are she will say “no”.  This car is a V-10 two seater that starts at approximately $80,000.  Although this may not be a woman’s cup of tea, studies show that many men would like to have this car.  Like many other aspects of life, men and women seem to have very different tastes, and cars are no exception.

Men and women buy the Viper, but 91% of customers are men.  The Porsche 911 and BMW M5 are also cars being bought primarily by males.  These models cost above $60,000.  Studies show that men often equate their car with their image.  In other words, they choose cars that will portray a certain status.

What cars do women like?  The #1 choice is the Toyota RAV4.  Women like to purchase small, affordable cars that are easy to buy.  For example, the Saturn SC, SL, and ION are popular choices for women.  These cars start at around $10,000 including new car warranties, and have a reputation of being “no hassle” when it comes to buying.

It is obvious that women and men think very differently in lots of areas, cars included.  Men like to buy the fast, impressive cars, whereas women purchase the inexpensive, small cars.  The only common ground that these cars have is that they are backed by an auto warranty.

According to a recent report, new car shoppers could do a lot more to ensure that they get the best deals on insurance, financing and new car warranties.

Only 64% of motorists said that they would ever attempt to negotiate the price of a new car.  Also, when planning on trading in their current vehicle, over 2 million drivers said they wouldn’t even take the time to research the current value of their vehicle.  In addition, more than 30% of motorists admitted that they probably wouldn’t even take one hour to research how to pay for their new car.

Unfortunately, 91% of car shoppers couldn’t explain what the term ‘lease purchase’ meant.  This is a term used in many auto-financing deals.  In addition, 50% of shoppers said that they would make a new car purchase without any insurance quotes.

America is known for being a nation of bargain hunters, yet motorists seem to be falling short when it comes to buying a new car.  It’s essential for car shoppers to do their homework when looking to purchase a new vehicle.  Insurance, financing, and an auto warranty are a crucial part of the car purchasing experience.  So, it is important to shop around in order to get the best deal, otherwise you will find yourself paying for it.

The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP with 402 hp will give performance sedans that are already established a run for their money.  The GXP is listed at $37,610, which is at least $1,000 cheaper than the Dodge Charger SRT8 and you still get an impressive auto warranty.

The GXP has a 402 hp, 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 402 pounds of torque, which is the most powerful Pontiac of all time.  This vehicle has a six-speed automatic transmission that comes standard, however you can also get a six-speed manual for an extra $695.

For those of you who might think the 361-hp G8 GT already had enough power under the hood, don’t forget added horsepower isn’t the only impressive change to the GXP.  This car has a track-tuned suspension and steering, a unique interior, Brembro brakes and new car warranties.

Some people have suggested that the GXP is a BMW M5 killer, however, this car is such a great bargain that you could purchase one for you and your friend and still end up shelling out less than you would for a M5.