2009 Best Cars for the Money

#1 Ranked Vehicles of 2009 in the five most popular categories are:

• Honda Fit - Small Car
• Chevy Malibu - Midsize Car
• Infiniti G37 - Near-Luxury Car
• Honda CR-V - Small SUV
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid - Midsize SUV

2009 Award Winners:

* Toyota Camry - Best Midsize Car
* Honda Fit - Best Subcompact Car
* Mazda Mazda5 - Best Compact Crossover
* Hyundai Elantra - Best Compact Car
* Toyota Highlander - Best Midsize Crossover
* Lexus RX - Best Luxury Crossover
* Chevrolet Tahoe - Best Full Size SUV
* Mazda Miata - Best Sports Car
* Lexus GS - Best Luxury Car
* Toyota Tacoma - Best Compact Truck
* Chevy Silverado - Best Full Size Truck
* Toyota Sienna - Best Minivan
* Toyota Avalon - Best Large Car
* Lexus ES - Best Upscale Car

See the 2009 Best Cars in all categories - US News Car Reviews.

Tips for Finding the Right Vehicle that Fits Your Style and Wallet

(ARA) - In today’s economy, every dollar counts. If you need to purchase an expensive necessity item like a car you must do so with serious thought and attention to detail. Here are some things to consider.

First select a sturdy, efficient car that has a proven track record of performance and dependability. Thought must be given to a variety things including: type of car, size, gas mileage, maintenance, service contracts and insurance. Some cars carry a higher insurance premium due to the theft ratio. With the fluctuating price of gas, consider models that get the best gas mileage.

With the automotive industry in crisis, be on the lookout for over-zealous car dealers who are trying to turn every consumer visit to the dealership into an immediate sale. Shop around various dealerships for the best bargain you can find. It is important to be an informed shopper. Read the automotive section in the newspaper to become familiar with prices and deals available. An informed consumer can force the dealer to reduce his offer two or three times.

Consider your needs, lifestyle and road travel requirements. A mother with children who is active in the community car pool may consider an SUV to be the best fit. A business executive who often travels with clients, customers and potential customers may look for a more traditional four-door sedan as a good fit. A single person without a lot of family ties may be interested in a sporty, fast, two-seater vehicle as a perfect fit.

Make sure you select a car that is affordable for your budget and lifestyle. It is important to select a vehicle that will have a payment plan that allows easy manageability along with other financial obligations such as mortgage, rent, food, utilities and recreation. Buyers are encouraged to pay special attention to financing rates.

“Shop the financing before you buy. Buyers can be approved for a dollar amount and fill in the car later. Then check what the dealer is offering,” says Robert Lindquist, professor of business at Argosy University, Orange County.

Lindquist also recommends car buyers make sure that a low-interest quote is simple interest, and not add-on interest which doubles the rate and, ultimately, costs the consumer more.

In addition, Lindquist advises buyers to consider purchasing an extended warranty, particularly if you finance the car for longer than 36 months. The average car warranty is three years or 36,000 miles.

All of these factors are crucial when selecting the right vehicle for you. It is important that consumers are thoughtful in choosing a car that complements their lifestyle, and is affordable for their wallet.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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