According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas around the nation is $2.24.  In just one month, gas has dropped more than a dollar, which is 86 cents less than the same time last year.  It is common to see a drop after the summer driving season, however, we haven’t seen a summer that has been so expensive since 2008.  So, could we witness $2 gas for the Thanksgiving holiday?

Gas prices have been lowering at a rate of around 3 cents a day over the last month, and we have 17 days until Thanksgiving will be here.  Calculations would mean that gas would be $1.73 by the holiday, right?  Not exactly.  This is the time when gas prices will level off, traditionally. Yet, it wouldn’t be difficult to speculate that gas prices could be around $2 by the time we sit down to eat our turkey dinner.

It’s hard to believe how gas prices have fluctuated since they were over $4 per gallon.  Consumers have become cautious and are buying fuel-efficient cars with a good auto warranty instead of gas-guzzlers.  So, will people begin purchasing large vehicles again?  We’ll have to wait and see.

You know that the trend for green cars has come of age when Hummer and Lamborghini get in on the picture.

The manufacturers of supercars for $400,000 and high-end SUV’s have realized that they need to keep us with small, efficient car models.  People desire lightweight, economical vehicles as opposed to heavy gas-guzzlers.

Lamborghini has an updated version of its Gallardo at $222,000.  Its new design is more “green” because it emits less CO2.  This is the greenhouse gas that is responsible for the change in the climate.

However, cutting 20 kg off of a 202 mph vehicle is not exactly radical.  This is why leading manufacturers, such as Toyota are making a big impact in the car industry.  It is hard to truly make a supercar or SUV green, although it is impressive that Hummer and Lamborghini are making a large attempt.

Green or not, whatever car you buy; make sure that you have an auto warranty to protect your investment.  You don’t want to find yourself paying unnecessary expenses for auto repairs.

Between the poor economy, and the increasing awareness about environmental dangers, gas-guzzlers and giant SUVs aren’t quite as chic.  Now, people are looking to small, economic cars instead. Luckily, there are more budget-priced car models to choose from than ever.  Some are terrific, while some are not.  Here are a few great choices.

The Honda Fit is a hatchback launched back in 2006.  It has superb handling, surprising power, and the quality associated with the Honda brand.  It comes in two trim levels, including the Fit Sport.  This car has a 1.5-liter engine with 100-hp, and is fuel-efficient.  However, the best part about the car is its price, starting at $13,950 including an auto warranty.

The Chevrolet Cobalt has a model for every budget: the LS, LT and Sport.  Also, shoppers can pick between the sedan and coupe.  The Cobalt engine is a 2.2-liter with 148-hp.  Also, the 2008 Cobalt has OnStar, XM satellite radio, and head curtain side impact air bags.  The price on this car ranges from $13,675-$18,875.

At $11,300-$13,675, the Toyota Yaris is available in a three-door hatchback or sedan.  This car is very hot in Europe and gaining popularity around the world.  It has a 1.5-liter 106-hp engine and offers excellent fuel-efficiency.

One thing is for sure; gas-guzzlers are a thing of the past.  Small, efficient cars are what people want today.  These cars offer great reliability, however, as with any car purchases it is important to have new car warranties to protect you.

Mercedes-Benz now has a new line of clean-diesel vehicles called Bluetec, much like the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.  All of these qualify for the alternative-powertrain tax credit by the IRS.  Previously, only hybrid cars qualified to receive the credit, but the advancements in clean-diesel technology have allowed these German carmakers to get this tax break for their new diesel lines.

The tax credits only apply to the first 60,000 units that are sold.  Also, they will vary depending on the fuel-efficiency of the car.  For example, the Mercedes Benz ML320 Bluetec will qualify for a rebate of $900, but if you make a step up to the GL320 and you will get a credit of $1,800.  You can buy the Jetta TDI now, and it will be in showrooms this October.

Will these tax credits make more people consider purchasing a diesel car the next time they go car shopping?

In the past, motorists protected their wallets by purchasing an auto warranty, buying inexpensive vehicles, and keeping up with maintenance.  Now, receiving tax credits for clean-diesel vehicles give consumers another way of conserving on car related expenses.

More and more cars are being loaded with high-tech gadgets.  In fact, some luxury car models have up to 80 switches and knobs to allow for advanced safety and comfort of motorists.  Yet, there are more high-tech gadgets coming on the market.

Soon there will be sign recognition systems that will be able to read wrong-way signs and speed limits.  This will come on the market in 2009-2010.

Cameras could replace Side view mirrors in the future.  Images would be displayed on the rearview mirrors on the edges, or on the instrument panel.

We may see chatty cars in the future.  Developers are trying to create a network that would monitor signals from car systems and warn other cars.  For example, skidding due to slick roads could be transmitted to warn other drivers.

Bumper bags could help SUVs be less deadly when hitting a low-riding car.  This has been shown to reduce intrusions and cause less injuries.

High-tech gadgets are great for motorists, but only if they learn how to use them before getting on the road.  In addition, with any new technology, drivers should have an auto warranty to protect themselves from technology failure.

Ford Motor Co. is getting on-board the popular small car and crossover markets with a Focus coupe that has been redesigned and the seven seat Flex.

Ford’s marketing manager claimed that fuel-efficiency is the main factor driving the market right now.  However, motorists won’t compromise functionality, and the Flex accomplishes fuel-efficiency and function.

The 2009 Ford Flex is all the rage.  It has the length of an SUV, while remaining low to the ground.  This vehicle gets 24 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city.

The all-new Ford Focus has a sportier exterior.  The vehicle has wheels that are larger, with a spoiler and new designs in the front and rear.  Also, it gets 35 mpg on the highway and has impressive new car warranties.

Ford is getting on board the small car and crossover craze with the introduction of the all-new Focus and the Flex.  Consumers are protecting their wallets by purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles and an auto warranty.

Today, GM announced a loss of billions of dollars for the third quarter, as well as many upcoming job cuts. In addition, GM claims that it will run out of money by February of next year without government help. Yet, it is still planning to produce new car models over the next two years, exactly 15 in the U.S.

Although the company has plans to cut billions of dollars of costs for the next year, it is still going to launch new products. The Chevy Volt electric plug-in hybrid is the most notable because it will actually receive an increase in spending.

What other vehicles are still slated for launch? Still on their way, but probably delayed are the Cadillac CTS Wagon and SRX crossover. Also, the Chevy Camaro, Chevy Equinox crossover and Cruze compact car.

So, where does this leave the car shopper? Not only will you have to anxiously wait for these new cars to come to showrooms, you will also have to wait to see if the company is going to survive by the time the cars are supposed to debut. So, you might want to purchase an auto warranty and maintain your current car, and not hold your breath for these new models, just in case.

In future car accidents a circuit could be as crucial to survival as a seat belt.  Congress made seat belts mandatory in the 1960’s, which was revolutionary in car safety.  Since then, seat belts have greatly reduced deaths.  Now, there is an additional safety revolution in the midst.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has employed a new standard.  This makes electronic stability control equipment a mandatory component in all cars.  The adoption of ESC will save approximately 10,000 lives every year.

Most luxury vehicles already come with ESC.  Other models offer it as an option.  This is just one of the new safety advancements designed with the purpose of preventing auto accidents, not just protecting passengers.  The majority of these new features have a microchip base.  Many are still being perfected. So beware, you never know when new technology will fail.  However, new car warranties will save you from unnecessary expenses.

Many motorists are finding it easiest to buy a package of safety options, rather than individual gadgets.  Lexus, for example, places an emphasis on how its safety features work as a system.  It has a package with lane-departure warning, smart cruise control, and ESC.

Integrating such systems, and the yielding of throttle, brake, and steering raise the question: Do drivers need or want this much help?  Who is actually in charge of the wheel?  No matter the answer, an auto warranty is essential in protecting your vehicle with all of those fancy gadgets.

It may be tempting to use one of the giant retail chains that seem to be popping up everywhere for auto service, but is it smart? Well, there’s something to be said for building a relationship with your auto repair facility, and with a large chain, it probably won’t happen.

Think about it, you go to a mass retailer for a repair, and then after a year the part fails. Yet, when you go back to the original location for an auto warranty claim, the first thing they ask for is your receipt. If you don’t have the receipt you’re out of luck. Chances are they will have no recollection of you or your car from the previous year.

Many people make the mistake of looking for a service shop just on the basis of price. However, you need to consider other factors when choosing a shop. Imagine how nice it would be to build a relationship with a shop where the mechanic recognizes you and your car and you feel a loyalty. We’ve all been in an emergency situation where we need a repair done that day. If you have a relationship with your mechanic, chances are that he will be more likely to squeeze you in.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you when choosing a service shop. However, keep in mind the benefits of being able to feel loyalty from your mechanic.

A big change in the auto industry is coming.  Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are inevitable, and we have been asking for a while: When will they arrive?  However, now a question more appropriate would be: Is America ready?

At the Institute of Transportation Studies, located within the University of California, this question has been the topic of research.

What they have found is cause for concern.  First, they discovered that a large obstacle to acceptance of these cars is a lack in consumer’s education.  Motorists just don’t have a lot of knowledge about plug-ins, or they get the information confused with already available hybrids.  Car shoppers may not even understand what the benefits are of having plug-in vehicles, including the gas savings that they will receive.  Many motorists don’t even realize that they can get an auto warranty with electric vehicles.

Next, approximately half of households in the U.S. don’t have the infrastructure that will support plug-in cars.  For example, look at Chicago residents.  A citizen who lives in an apartment could really benefit from a car that could drive 40 miles without needing any gas.  However, a person such as this wouldn’t have any garage access, which would mean they wouldn’t have a way to recharge the vehicle.

According to the study, only one-third of households wanting to buy a new car had the infrastructure necessary and an interest in hybrid or plug-in cars.  This is definitely an obstacle for the mainstream success of plug-ins and electric cars.