In this struggling economy, automakers can’t count on slick styling and big engines alone to lure buyers.  Consumers have changed their tastes: appearance and performance are still a priority, but value, gas mileage, new car warranties and practicality are becoming more important than every, according to experts.

Fuel-efficiency stays on the top of people’s minds.  A study was conducted in January by the Consumer Federation of America, finding that even though gas is at $2 per gallon, drivers are still looking for 20% better mileage in their next car.

However, don’t count out the importance of performance.  Derrick Kuzak, who is the head of product development at Ford said, “I think people are looking for both [performance and efficiency].  He also said the carmaker’s EcoBoost initiative, which is basically downsizing engines for better fuel-efficiency but adding on turbochargers to make up for performance that is lost, is a way to satisfy both demands.

People assume that more power means poor gas mileage, but this isn’t the case.  Now there are advanced drivetrains, better aerodynamics and lighter materials.  There are popular vehicles in every car segment, from the Toyota Prius to the Escape that are more fuel-efficient and quicker with every redesign.

One way to improve our world would be to alleviate road rage.  Everyone has gotten angry with another driver after being cut off. Wouldn’t it be great if we all had cars that helped curb road rage?  Well, those vehicles have arrived.

Toyota’s RIN has friendliness in mind.  It has wide, deep windows that allow the driver to stay connected with the environment.  The headlights on the car have controls for light distribution that allow the driver to be considerate to other drivers.  It even has features that reflect the psychological state that the driver is in, such as the steering wheel that is “mood trained” and displays that promote the mental health of the driver.

The Toyota i-REAL offers pedestrians added safety.  It is a solo transport that offers maneuverability because it sits upright.  This allows the driver to be at eye level with pedestrians.  Also, it will stretch out its wheels making it more aerodynamic and stable when you want to travel long distances.

The time has come when automakers are realizing that vehicle design can have an impact on how friendly people are.  Toyota is making great strides in accommodating fellow drivers and passengers to make our world a friendlier place.  Consumers are willing to pay extra money on car costs that will make their lives easier, such as new car warranties, insurance, and even friendlier cars.

Thanks to a poor economy, people are skipping the big purchases and becoming disciplined shoppers.  Instead of splurging on cars equipped with all of the gizmos, people are holding onto their current rides and purchasing used car warranties.  However, with some savvy buying tips, you can get a new car with great features.  Here’s how.

First of all, in order to splurge in the cabin, downgrade under the hood.  You can purchase a car with a smaller engine and still enjoy the interior upgrades.  For example, a Honda Accord that is top-of-the-line comes with heated seats, leather upholstery, dual climate control, and plenty of other comforts, all for $29,000.  However, instead of getting the V-6, you can get a four-cylinder for $3,000 less that will also allow you to save on gas.

Also, you can save by ordering options a la carte.  Many times, popular options, such as a sunroof or heated seats get bundled together into megapackages that has a lot of features you may not need or want to pay for.  So, shop around for cars with smaller packages, or just order the features you really want.

Finally, skip the options that are the most expensive.  Features such as entertainment and navigation systems can cost you an extra $2,000.  By purchasing a portable DVD player and navigation system you can spend less than $500 combined.

When purchasing a new car it is important to put your money towards necessary things, such as new car warranties, safety features, and maintenance costs.  Pick your upgrades wisely to avoid going over your budget.

Many people struggle to decide what kind of car to buy.  It can be difficult to sort through all of the vehicle options and new car warranties to arrive at the car that best suits you.  Here are some important factors to consider that will help you make the right decision when purchasing a car.

First of all, decide what you intend to use the vehicle for.  Don’t buy a 4WD SUV because you take two camping trips a year.  If you’re using the car everyday for commuting, you are going to want to purchase a car that is easy to maneuver with good fuel-efficiency.

Next, consider the looks of the vehicle.  You need to find a vehicle that you can stand to look at every day without getting sick of it.  If you end up with a car that makes you shudder when you look at it, you will never enjoy it.

Finally, fuel-efficiency, although not as big of a deal three years ago, is now a major factor in car buying.  Now there are options of what kind of fuel you want to burn.  For example, some options are E10, E20, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, petrol, diesel, and B5.  All of these fuels have their benefits, so decide which will suit you the best.

The best way to get the car that is going to fit you is to do your research on various vehicle models.  Also, when doing this consider the added costs of an auto warranty, vehicle maintenance, and auto loans.

BMW is following in the footsteps of other carmakers with diesel cars, like Volkswagen and Mercedes, by qualifying its two diesel models for income tax credits by the federal government.

You will receive a $900 credit on your next tax return for the 2009 BMW 335d sedan, and $1,800 on the 2009 X5 xDrive35d SUV.  Both of these cars use BMW’s 3.0-liter, twin turbo inline six cylinder diesel engines and both are eligible for these credits under the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle tax credit program.  The X5 is rated 19/25 mpg and the diesel sedan gets 23/33 mpg.

This sounds wonderful, however you have to remember that the 335d costs $43,900 including new car warranties and the X5 xDrive35d has a base price of $51,200 with an auto warranty.  It’s doubtful that a savings of $900 will really do much to help stimulate the economy.

Recently, the President of Honda Motor Co. posed with the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell car.  This is a brand new sedan designed from scratch to use a hydrogen fuel cell engine as its only source of power.  This is the first vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells that has ever been commercially available; next month it will be leased to motorists in Japan and America.

The fact that the new Honda is seen in showrooms in the largest auto market in the world demonstrates that Honda anticipates more and more interest in fuel cell technology.  This technology combines oxygen and hydrogen to make electricity and its only emission is water.

New York City drivers might be in for quite a wait to receive this car.  The biggest part of the new fleet is going to be leased in California because that is the only part of the country that has enough refueling stations for hydrogen.

Honda is set to offer lease arrangements of three-years on 200 Clarity models starting in July.  The lease will cost $600 per month and include maintenance and collision insurance.  However, with the interest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, it won’t be long until you can purchase one of these cars for yourself, complete with new car warranties.

GM is offering red tag sales on some 2008 and 2009 Cadillac, Saab, and Hummer models.  Since these vehicles are pricey in nature, the percentages off might not seem as impressive as what you might see for a Chevrolet, however with the Red Tag prices, cash back, and impressive new car warranties, you will find some deals that are interesting.

For instance, the 2008 Escalade SUV in 2WD has an MSRP of $56,890, but you can get $10,183 off of that price.  Also, the 2009 STS V-6 1SC was originally $55,325, but you can now get $5,719 off of that.

Hummer and Saab also have numerous deals.  You can get a 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero Sport sedan for $30,145 instead of $35,960 after the cash back and Red Tag Sale.  Hummer deals are what would be expected- cash back and large rebates on models that are slow selling.  However, one interesting outlier is the new 2009 H3T model, which you can get for $28,188 instead of $31,495.

You can visit GM’s website and type in your zip code to make sure these deals apply in the area where you live.

The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP with 402 hp will be 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.

The Ford Ranger will be discontinued after 2011, however Ford has still decided to add new safety features to the 2010 version of the Ranger, such as electronic stability control, as well as side airbags.

This stability control system is identical to the one that’s featured in the new F-150, and it will put the Ranger in the same company of other small trucks that have stability control, like the GMC Canyon, Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, and Hummer H3T.  The main difference is that the Ranger also has a system for roll-prevention.

If a rollover were to occur, the Ranger is able to brake wheels individually and cut the engine throttle in order to keep the vehicle grounded.  The added side airbags will help prevent chest and head injuries to passengers in the front, which will probably improve the rating for side-impact crashes.

The current Ranger gets a four-star crash-test rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a marginal rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 2010 Ford Ranger will be available for sale this summer.  Unfortunately, information on pricing and new car warranties is not yet available.

Ford, who apparently loves mini-sites, has started a webpage for the new 2011 Ford Fiesta.  It may be premature, but since Ford is trying desperately to prove itself, this makes perfect sense at the moment.

Ford displays a few pictures of the vehicle, however, Ford says that they are pictures of the 2009 European model, and also reveals some information about available content of the car.

Since the features appear to be luxury-like, it seems Ford is going to market this car as a premium subcompact that will compete with the Honda Fit.  However, car shoppers seem to care more about standard features, which Ford hasn’t released yet.  But make a note that the 2011 Fiesta will have standard stability control when it is available for sale in 2010.  That’s two years before it is going to be mandated by federal law.

Car shoppers will have to wait for additional information about the 2011 Ford Fiesta, such as prices, standard features, and information about new car warranties.