Mitsubishi announces plans to cancel production of its Raider pickup at some point during the middle of next year, ending a sales streak that has been difficult to say the least.  The carmaker is reworking its lineup and changing the focus to more fuel-efficient vehicles, therefore the Raider moved right to the chopping block.

The Raider made its debut in 2005, and was Japan’s answer to the Dodge Dakota, however it was never able to catch on, and its poor sales made it the perfect target during a period of retooling.  Last year, sales of Raiders was less than 3,000 vehicles.

First it was Isuzu’s exit from the Unites States, and now this announcement adds to the shrinking supply of badge-engineered pickups.  However, you tell us:  Do you think anyone out there is going to really miss the Raider?

Consumers are trying to protect themselves by purchasing vehicles that are more fuel-efficient, and making sure they have good new car warranties.  After all, an auto warranty can save you from unnecessary repair costs down the road.

Not everyone has the option of purchasing a shiny new car, but there are many new-to-you cars that you can get for a great deal.  Recently, the Kelley Blue Book put together a list of cars in average condition with a value between $15,000-$21,000.  Here are three of the top cars on the list.

First, there’s the 2003 BMW 3 Series sedan.  This car has an average value of $20,290 according to Kelley Blue Book.  This is a performance-oriented car that handles wonderfully and has great style.

The 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV has an average value of $20,335, and is a great bargain.  The Tahoe is very easy and enjoyable to drive.  Also, this vehicle has a roomy interior that is very comfortable.

Next, the 2006 Chrysler 300 sedan is a great used car with an average value of $17,865.  This vehicle has a 3.5-liter V-6, which offers adequate power in any situation.

Of course we all wish we could purchase a brand new vehicle, but there are many used cars out there that offer consumers a great bargain.  Drivers should do their homework to ensure they are getting a good vehicle, and purchase an auto warranty to go with it.  After all, peace of mind goes a long way.

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 costs 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.

Many people enjoy owning minivans because they offer various options for carrying cargo and passengers.  Depending on your needs, you can configure minivans in a variety of different ways.  Also, minivans now come with climate control in dual zones, as well as DVD systems and an auto warranty.  These features offer great appeal to buyers, especially families.

There is tons of interior room in minivans, which allows for plenty of leg and headroom.  Also convenient are the models that have sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle, making it quick and easy to get in and out.

Minivans allow enough seating for up to eight passengers.  The ones that is equipped for seven passengers typically have captain’s chairs, not a bench.  The Honda Odyssey offers even more flexibility in seating by having a center seat that can be removed.

If you need a vehicle that has flexibility in seating and cargo space, minivans are a great option.  They have numerous features that make for a comfortable, convenient ride.  However, no matter what vehicle you decide to purchase, make sure you get new car warranties to protect yourself from unforeseen repairs.

Sports car enthusiasts consider the supercar to be the ultimate vehicle.  What is a supercar you may ask?  A supercar is a very high-end sports car that has power and handling that is exceptional.

It can be challenging to find one of these cars, and even more of a challenge to find the funds for one.

Cutting edge supercars have to be ordered directly from the factory.  As a result these cars have a big “ooh” factor.

But how can you distinguish a supercar from a regular sports car?  Three features will set the two apart.  First, supercars have an exotic appearance.  Secondly, they are extremely fast.  In addition, they have world class cornering and handling.  Most supercars are imported and the most prominent ones are Italian made.

Supercar models include Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Masserati.  They are considered supercars because they are rare, have impeccable engineering, and have top performance.  They can cost over a million dollars.

Owners of supercars are very prideful of their vehicles.  An auto warranty is a necessity to protect these gems.

Forbes has assessed all of the cars out there to conclude that the Honda Accord is the best used car.  In addition, this means that the Accord is the best certified pre-owned car on the market.

According to Forbes, there are many certified pre-owned vehicles, however, the Honda Accord deserves to be acknowledged because of several outstanding qualities.  In order to come to a decision, Forbes looked at data on reliability from Consumer Reports Magazine.  In addition, they considered safety, as well as the availability of used car warranties.

Coming in second and third on the list were the Saturn Relay and Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Then, came the Pontiac G6, Mercedes Benz E-class and the VW new Beetle.

Certified pre-owned vehicles go through rigorous testing to make sure they are in sound condition.  Then, auto dealers refurbish them if needed, and give them a limited auto warranty.  This has become a booming practice, and consumers are reaping the benefits.

BMW, Ford and VW announced the plan to boost sales of small cars that are fuel-efficient after the slump of consumer spending, which shows that improving gas powered cars will come before vehicles with alternative fuel.

Automakers in the U.S. are cutting emissions by steering away from SUVs and trucks and focusing on smaller cars, as major advances in other technology are being delayed because of the global financial crisis.  Just like European automakers, they are making the most of the combustion engine, for example improving turbochargers, to increase efficiency while continuing to burn fossil fuels.

Vehicle sales in the U.S. plummeted 27% last month, extending the slide in the industry to 11 months in a row, which is the longest in 17 years.  Tightening credit has discouraged buyers, as the U.S. and Europe shovel out money to help bail the banks out.  Meanwhile, the roads won’t be full of electric vehicles until huge investments have government support.

Carmakers are finding themselves in a position where they have to pay attention to the basics, selling gas-powered cars.  In the meantime, many motorists are hanging on to their current vehicles and purchasing an auto warranty to protect them from unnecessary repair costs.

Many motorists struggle to find a repair shop that they feel is trustworthy.  While some motorists feel comfortable taking their car to the dealership, others prefer going to an independent repair shop.  So, which one is better?

You will find several advantages to going to the dealership for repairs.  First of all, dealerships pay for their technicians to have special training, and they provide them with special tools and equipment.  Dealerships also have a years worth of proprietary information on new vehicles that they have sold.  This information is important for making repairs and diagnosis, yet only the dealer has access to it.  Finally, dealership service departments only work on the specific makes and models that they sell, so they are good at diagnosis and repairs.

Independent shops also have advantages.  Because independent facilities try to serve the neighborhood that they are in, customers can benefit from a more personal customer service.  Also, independent repair shops provide more versatile services on a wide range of cars.  Also, top-notch repair shops will offer an auto warranty through the supplier of the parts.  Finally, prices are usually better at independent repair shops.

There are advantages to both dealerships and independent repair shops.  Consumers should find a repair shop that they feel comfortable with, regardless of what kind it is.  Also, it is very important for car owners to have used car warranties that will protect their wallets.

Car shoppers are always questioning whether they should lease or buy.  But, here’s another question for shoppers: Will you even be able to lease your next vehicle?

U.S. carmakers’ financial subsidiaries have had to cut back on their leasing program, because of lower used-car values, especially with large vehicles.

Based on reports of poor earnings, Chrysler is completely abandoning leasing, and GM and Ford are making it hard for people to arrange leases through financial subsidiaries.

In fact, all carmakers are trying not to rely on leasing because it harms a profit picture that is already bleak.

The reason that this trend is continuing is because of the high risks and costs of leasing compared with regular cash and APR business.

Even foreign carmakers are considering following the lead of domestics, although for now they still offer leases.

But, the original question of should you lease still remains.  The domestic carmakers are going to make it so expensive to lease that you should probably avoid it.  Instead, purchase new or used with an auto warranty to protect you in case of unforeseen repairs down the road.

Many people maintain their car under the hood but neglect their car’s exterior.  To freshen up your car and make it look brand new, follow these simple tips.

To care for your car’s exterior start by giving it a comprehensive washing.  You’ll want to remove all of the mud and grime that has built up on your car.

Make sure to use a pH balanced wash on your car.  You should avoid harsh detergents because they will strip off the car wax on your vehicle.

After a good car washing, make an evaluation of the surface of your vehicle.  You can do this by rubbing your hand along the surface of your vehicle.  If the surface feels rough on your hand, chances are you have bugs, tar, or water deposits.  These things need to be removed before you wax your car.

After doing these things it is time to put a car polish and wax on your car to protect it’s finish from harmful elements.

Make sure to be proactive when it comes to taking care of your car.  This includes maintenance, washing, waxing, and buying an auto warranty.