The Environmental Transport Association of the UK recently named the Toyota Yaris as “Green Car of the Year”.  The ETA reviewed 1300 cars that are sold in the UK to compile a green car guide for buyers.  The research that went into the guide focused on vehicle fuel-efficiency, power, emissions, and noise levels.

Other Toyota models also made the ETA’s top ten list.  Among these are, in third place the Prius, in sixth place the Avgo, and in ninth place the Auris.  These were identified as some of the top green cars.

In the category of the greenest off road vehicle, The Toyota RAV4 came in first, and the Toyota Avgo topped the greenest in the city category.

Consumers are becoming more concerned with purchasing environmentally friendly vehicles.  Luckily, there are now many cars in this category that offer style, fuel-efficiency and reliability, and even come with an auto warranty that gives drivers peace of mind.

For 2009 the Lexus LS 460 and 460L will be offered with AWD for the first time.  Buyers can either buy the rear-wheel drive setup, which is standard, or AWD beginning in October.

The 2009 models haven’t announced a pricing plan yet, but the 2008 rear-wheel-drive versions of the LS 460 and LS 460 L went for $62,900 and $72,900.  The base prices for the 2009 models will easily be $2,000 more including an auto warranty, if they follow the pricing plan for other Lexus models that are AWD.

However, the AWD models could cost quite a bit more than that because they come with more features that are standard, like 18-inch wheels, all-season tires, an adaptive air suspension, and a heated steering wheel.

Consumers should have new car warranties to protect themselves from unnecessary repairs down the road.  Unfortunately, you never know when new technology will fail.

Consumers will find that vehicles can withstand more and more demands.  Now, there is a plentitude of cars out there that are tough and reliable.  Which cars are going to prevent you from having to use your auto warranty?

Honda is a good place to start.  Honda puts out vehicles that are safe and reliable.  In addition, they need minimal repairs and experience few problems.  The Odyssey is a prime example.  It is ranked first on the list of durable cars.  Also making the list is the Honda CRV, Pilot, Accord and Civic.

Other cars that are known for durability are small SUVs, such as the Volvo XC90 and the Subaru Forester.  The Acura RDX and Audi A4 are luxurious and durable.

These cars were put on the durable cars list according to safety, vehicle performance, and history of complaints.  Anyone looking to buy a new car would feel peace of mind in these vehicles.  Of course, it never hurts to have an auto warranty in case of unforeseen repairs down the road.

Drivers and politicians tend to be against road tolls because it is believed that they burden drivers with a lower income disproportionately.  However, a recent study by USC and UCLA has discovered that a sales tax may be a greater offender on that front.

The study looked at a 10-mile stretch of freeway in California that encompasses four express lanes on Route 91.  It discovered that, overall; the toll was used more by middle and upper income drivers than by drivers with a lower income.  It also discovered that charging more during hours that are peak helped alleviate traffic.

However, if the highway was financed by a sales tax, the study discovered that these same middle and upper income motorists would have shelled out $26 million less than they would have under a system of tolls.  In the meantime, drivers who are lower income would end up paying $3 million more.

Congestion pricing and tolls aren’t perfect, and the study made a suggestion that lower income motorists who have to travel during peak hours should be given discounted pricing.  After all, lower income drivers are already struggling to afford car costs, such as an auto warranty and car insurance.

It can be difficult to find a car that is suitable for the needs of a family.  In fact, consumers can often feel overwhelmed with all of the choices.  So, what are some necessary considerations when purchasing a family car?

First, most families are in search of an affordable vehicle.  This typically means that the sticker price is under $30,000 and comes with a good auto warranty.  There are many good quality vehicles out there that go for less than $30,000, so if you are looking at a company that can’t produce a good vehicle for this price, you’re searching with the wrong company.

One very important feature for a family car is comfort.  Five people should be able to fit into a vehicle comfortably, otherwise no one will be happy.  Also, make sure that you have sufficient cargo space for groceries, hobbies, etc.

Safety is essential in a family vehicle.  Many of the new car models have innovative safety features capable of saving people’s lives.  For instance, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu incorporates the OnStar system of communication, which has the Advanced Automatic Crash Notification.

Try not to get overwhelmed with the shopping process when looking for a family vehicle.  Just take these tips into consideration and make sure purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen repairs.

What is there to say about the single most expensive hybrid on today’s market?  The 2008 Lexus LS600hL is a luxurious hybrid that makes it known to everyone that you have $105,000 to spend on a car that is environmentally responsible.

People may not be all that concerned about how the electric motor works in combination with the gas powered V-8 because the most outstanding thing about this extended LS model is the cavernous and most luxurious interior.  The dashboard, as well as the seats is covered in leather that is extremely supple and stitched together with precision.  Metal, wood, and metallic colored plastic are used tastefully, and can be found on the armrests in the backseat and on the dashboard.  Oh, and by the way, this car parks itself!

If you have $105,000 to spend on an environmentally friendly vehicle this is a great choice.  But at this price, don’t dare drive it out of your driveway without an auto warranty.  It could cost you an arm and a leg to fix this car.

J.D. Power recently came out with the results from its 2008 Escaped Shopper Study, which gauges why consumers made the decision to walk away from certain new vehicles in their car shopping experience.  It’s quite surprising that approximately 80% of car shoppers decided against purchasing a model after they went to a car dealer.

The top three reasons for not buying a car, that are dealer related, included inferior dealer service, a limited availability of various trim levels and colors, and unprofessional employees.

This is a very common anecdotal reason for consumers.  If a dealer or salesman doesn’t treat a prospective customer well, that’s it.  And, typically the customer not only stays away from that dealership, they also get a tainted view of the vehicle brand.

The study examined 30,000 new car shoppers and discovered that 40% of shoppers decided not to buy a vehicle because of the price, and 40% of those buyers said it isn’t that the car costs too much money, it’s that the car doesn’t seem like it is worth the high price.

Motorists would rather hang onto their current vehicles and buy used car warranties, than purchase a car that they feel isn’t worth the money.  And with an auto warranty, drivers can rest assured that they won’t have to pay unnecessary repair expenses down the road.

The 2008 BMW M3 coupe is an amazing new vehicle that is powerful and slick.  It features a double-disc clutch, as well as a 6-speed transmission that is nothing but race-quality.  It has an onboard electronic system that evaluates road conditions at 200 million times a second, which allows the vehicle to know exactly what to do.  In addition, consumers will be impressed with the new car warranties.

The 2008 version of the BMW M3 is the first M3 to incorporate a v-8 engine.  It has a 4.0-liter 32-valve that is 414-hp. Its maximum torque is 295 foot-pound.  This car has 22% more power than the last BMW M3 engine.

The 2008 BMW M3 is made up of aluminum, steel, and a carbon fiber roof panel. It has front fenders that are flared and widened and a rear end with four tailpipes.  It also features a front air dam underneath the bumper, as well as a smooth bottom that is flat.  These features allow for excellent aerodynamics.

The 2008 BMW M3 delivers power and style that is hard to beat.  Consumers won’t be disappointed by this new BMW.  With a high-end car, such as this, it is essential to purchase an auto warranty.  You don’t want to be stuck down the road with unnecessary repair costs.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety designated the Audi Q7 as a Top Safety Pick.  This is the highest rating possible by the group, which means the Audi Q7 had top scores in front, rear and side crash tests.

The Q7 is considered a large SUV by the IIHS, and typically vehicles in this class don’t get rated.  However, Audi made a request for the IIHS to conduct these tests.  This is probably because Audi wanted to compare how the Q7 measured up to other midsize SUVs, such as the BMW X5, Volvo XC90, Acura MDX, Mercedes Benz M-Class, Lincoln MKX, which are all Top Safety Picks.

It was a smart move for Audi to request that the Q7 be tested, especially since it received a Top Safety Pick.  Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with vehicle safety and make that a top consideration when deciding what vehicle to purchase.  In addition, more people are buying an auto warranty to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs, and to be able to keep up with car maintenance.

A test drive is a necessary step when buying a new car.  But once you sit in the driver’s seat you have a limited time to make some crucial decisions.  What do you need to look out for?

First of all it is important to take your time.  Make sure you walk around the vehicle and look at the trunk.  Make sure it is big enough for your needs.  Look for issues that might affect visibility.  Also, notice if fenders flare out.

Now, you’re ready to sit in the driver’s seat.  While the car is parked adjust the steering wheel and seat.  This is also a good time to test the radio and play with knobs and buttons on the dashboard.

When you pull out of the dealership pick a test-drive route that offers variety.  You should drive in traffic that requires right and left turns, on the highway, and in a parking lot.  This will allow you to see how the car handles at low and high speeds, and determine visibility.  Be in tune with all of your senses to see if the car is right for you.

Finally, if the car passes all of your tests, go test -drive a couple more.  You don’t want to purchase the first car you see.  Of course, when you find the car of your dreams, make sure you purchase an auto warranty to protect your investment.