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Thirty-six vehicles and 12 companion models received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest out of some-240 total 2010 models.

The ratings, published in CD’s December issue (on sale November 1), span 10 categories: Small Cars, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars, Pickups, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size/Luxury SUVs and Hybrids. The Best Buys–based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities–reflect CD’s view of which 2010 vehicles offer the most value for the money.

Five “Small Cars” received Best Buys: Honda Fit, Kia Soul, Mazda3, Nissan Versa and Toyota Corolla.

Seven “Family Car” Best Buys are: Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan and Toyota Camry.

Four “Luxury Cars” received Best Buys: Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS, Hyundai Genesis sedan and Lincoln MKS.

Five “Sporty Cars” Best Buys are: Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, MINI Cooper/Cooper Clubman and Nissan 370Z.

Four “Pickups” and five “Minivans” earned Best Buys: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and GMC Sierra 1500 are the top pickups, and Chrysler’s Town & Country, Dodge’s Grand Caravan, Honda’s Odyssey, Kia’s Sedona and Volkswagen’s Routan are the best minivan values.

Six “Compact SUV” Best Buys include: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, GMC Terrain, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner and Nissan Rogue.

Five “Midsize SUV” Best Buys include: Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-7. “Full-size/Luxury SUV” Best Buys include: Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Volvo XC60.

Three “Hybrid” Best Buys include: Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid and Toyota Prius.

“We really feel for the people across the country who are suffering through some tough times financially,” says Randy Weber, CD’s publisher. “We also know that some of them will have to purchase a new vehicle soon, and we hope that they take advantage of the work we have done on their behalf so that they get the most value possible out of their purchase.”

Weber says Consumers Digest’s editors consider automotive “value” to be based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design.

Performance characteristics evaluated include starting and acceleration, shifting, steering, handling, braking, ride quality and fuel economy.

Best Buys awarded to U.S. automakers increased by seven for the 2010 model year compared with 2009 models–to 31 from 24 a year ago. Best Buys for vehicles from Asian automakers decreased by eight, to 14 Best Buy models from 22. Seven brands–all U.S.–saw their totals increase. Chevrolet and Ford led the way: Chevy has seven Best Buys for the 2010 model year (up from five for the 2009 model year), and Ford has seven (up from four). Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln and Mercury have an additional Best Buy versus the 2009 model year awards. Mercury has three Best Buys, the others two each..

CD’s Auto Best Buys section includes photos, invoice pricing, standard features and performance traits that support the models’ Best Buy selection in the collective opinion of CD’s veteran automotive editors: Jim Gorzelany has served Consumers Digest readers for 22 years, including reporting on automotive categories, such as hybrids; Kevin Kelly is senior editor of Automotive Design & Production magazine; Jim Mateja writes a weekly Chicago Tribune auto column and has received numerous awards for his auto coverage; Dan Jedlicka has written about autos for 41 years and is a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury.

“Few purchases are more important, or require more research, than buying a new vehicle,” Weber says. “Our analyses underscore our commitment to ensure that consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making it as they were on the day they drove off the lot.”

Source: Consumers Digest Communications, LLC

Winner to be Announced During an LA Auto Show Press Conference on Dec. 3

Green Car Journal announced its five finalists for the 2010 Green Car of the Year®, including the Audi A3 TDI, Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf TDI. For the fifth consecutive year, this prestigious award will be announced during a press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show press days, Dec. 3.

The Green Car of the Year® award is a program that honors environmental leadership in the automobile field and recognizes vehicles that are readily available to consumers during the award year. Green Car Journal editors perform an exhaustive review of vehicle models to identify the five finalists. The winner is ultimately decided by jurors such as Jay Leno, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Carroll Shelby, Matt Petersen of Global Green USA and the Sierra Club’s Carl Pope, along with Green Car Journal editors.

“We’re seeing the trend for ‘green’ cars emerging at all levels, from entry-level cars to luxury models, and even performance cars and SUVs/crossovers,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “Plus, an array of technologies and fuels as well as strategies like lightweighting and reducing rolling resistance are being applied to the challenge. Greater choice provides buyers a personal stake in lessening environmental impact, and that’s important.”

This year’s finalists reflect this diversity. For the first time an Audi makes the final five with its sporty A3 TDI clean diesel. Volkswagen‘s new Golf TDI shows an expanding focus on clean diesel technology in the VW lineup. The Insight is a completely new hybrid sedan for Honda and the 2010 Toyota Prius is a totally redesigned, third-generation version of this popular hybrid model. The Milan Hybrid is Mercury‘s application of its advanced-hybrid technology in an upscale mid-size sedan.

Green Car of the Year®

The GCOY award is an important part of Green Car Journal’s mission to showcase environmental progress in the auto industry. Since 1992, Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment, first with an industry newsletter and then with an award-winning auto enthusiast magazine. Today, the magazine is considered the premier source of information on high fuel efficiency, low emission, advanced technology, and alternative fuel vehicles. Subscription information, along with a downloadable sample issue, can be found at GCJUSA.com. Green Car of the Year® is a registered trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc.

Los Angeles Auto Show

The 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show will be held on Dec. 2-3 for press and Dec. 4-13 for the public. Media registration is now open. This year, the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), the world automobile trade association, has officially named the Los Angeles Auto Show as one of its sanctioned international exhibitions. For more information, visit laautoshow.com

Prizes Include Enough High-Performance Hardware to Build The Ultimate Street Machine & Treasure Trove of Hot Wheels Collectibles

Performance Therapy, a “social media car show”, launched this week with backing from top automotive aftermarket brands. The site, PerformanceTherapyContest.com asks enthusiasts to show the world how they enjoy their car by submitting a photo. The Grand Prize Winner will receive parts to build an incredible, high-performance supercar. Popular vote determines category winners – whom receive a $250 gift certificate. Sixty runners-up will receive a free t-shirt.

Performance Therapy Defined

Despite tough economic times, auto enthusiasts are packing car shows, races and events. Across seven continents and hundreds of niches, car fans have one thing in common: high-performance vehicles make them happy. Owning, modifying and driving cars is more than a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. It’s the cheapest form of mental therapy and provides quality entertainment for the entire family.

The Contest

The Performance Therapy Contest is a chance for enthusiasts to participate in one of the biggest online car shows of all time, show off other enthusiasts around the world and win a variety of fantastic prizes. The purpose is to help people have fun with their ride. For three months any enthusiast can submit a picture, show it off to friends and get as many votes as possible. With six categories and nine fantastic sponsors, there are dozens of ways to win and nearly 70 prizes will be awarded!

The Prizes

The Grand Prize is enough hardware to build a muscle car dream machine, including a Hotchkis Sport Suspenison system, Baer Brake system, Rushforth Wheels, Yokohama Tires, Flowmaster Exhaust, an MSD Ignition System, Red Line Oil & Lubricants, a Lifeline Fire Safety System and enough Hot Wheel Collectibles to fill a dream garage!

To enter or vote for your favorite car, go to www.PerformanceTherapyContest.com. For more information, email info@performancetherapycontest.com or click for more information on the rules, prizes and sponsors.

The Performance Therapy Contest is brought to you by Hotchkis Sport Suspension, Baer Brakes, Flowmaster, Hot Wheels Red Line Club, Lifeline USA, MSD Ignition, Red Line Oil, Rushforth Wheels and Yokohama Tire Corp.

Source: Performance Therapy Contest

11 brands offer best savings on recommended cars; Ford most prominent with 10 models included

Memorial Day is a time for Americans to commemorate the sacrifices made by men and women to protect our freedoms and values. And traditionally, the holiday is associated with discounted car sales. To assist car buyers, the Auto Price Services team at Consumer Reports has researched and compiled the best deals on American-made cars for the holiday weekend.

Many people think of the Detroit Three – General Motors, Ford and Chrysler – when discussing American-made cars, but reflecting the global nature of the auto industry, the reality is that most manufacturers build cars in the United States. Conversely, many models from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are imported from other countries.

As is the case with Consumer Reports’ Best New Car Deals, to make this list, a vehicle must meet CR’s stringent requirements to be recommended. Specifically, the vehicle must have performed well in CR’s tests, have average or better reliability, and, if crash-tested, provide good overall safety. Vehicles also must not have tipped up in the government rollover test. Also factored into the overall analysis were customer rebates and hidden dealer incentives. The 40 cars included on the best American-made cars list meet CR’s recommended criteria and offer the greatest discounts.

Of the six Nissan models included, the 2009 Nissan Titan SE 4X4 Crew Cab, with its recommended rating and a potential savings of 25% below MSRP, is overall the best American-made deal. The 2009 Ford Focus SES Sedan and SES Coupe are the second and third best deals, respectively.

Among the 11 different brands featured in the top 40, five brands, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Chevrolet and GMC, are owned by American manufacturers. In total, 16 models manufactured by Detroit are featured on the list. The most prominently featured brand on the list is Ford, with 10 models listed as best deals – or 25 percent of the list.

Regardless of the model that catches your eye from this list, buying these models will help keep America working and put you behind the wheel of a good car.

To view the entire list in detail, get pricing information and learn more about the vehicles’ ratings, consumers can visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

Source: Consumer Reports

Thirty-six vehicles and 14 companion models received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest out of some 240 total 2009 models. The ratings, published in CD’s December issue (on sale November 1), span 10 categories: Small Cars, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars, Pickups, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size/Luxury SUVs and Hybrids. The Best Buys — based on behind-the-wheel testing, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities — reflect CD’s assessment of which 2009 vehicles offer the most value for the money.

Five “Small Cars” received Best Buys: Honda Civic, Honda Fit, Mazda3, Nissan Versa and Toyota Corolla.

Six “Family Car” Best Buys are: Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Mercury Sable, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry/Camry Solara.

Four “Luxury Cars” received Best Buys: Acura RL, Cadillac CTS, Hyundai Genesis and Lincoln MKS.

Six “Sporty Car” Best Buys are: BMW 3-Series, Chevrolet Corvette, Infiniti G37 coupe, MINI Cooper/Cooper Clubman, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.

Four “Pickups” and six “Minivans” earned Best Buys: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 and Toyota Tundra are the top pickups, and Chrysler’s Town & Country, Dodge’s Grand Caravan, Honda’s Odyssey, Hyundai’s Entourage, Kia’s Sedona and Volkswagen’s Routan are the best minivan values.

Five “Compact SUV” Best Buys include: Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Nissan Rogue and Volkswagen Tiguan. Six “Midsize SUV” Best Buys include: Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia, Mazda CX-9 and Saturn Outlook. “Full-size/Luxury SUV” Best Buys include: Acura MDX, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Infiniti EX.

Four “Hybrid” Best Buys include: Ford Escape Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Toyota Prius.

“‘Value,’ as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design,” says Randy Weber, CD’s publisher. “In these tough economic times, we believe consumers in need of a new vehicle will be served even more by the results of our extensive research and behind-the-wheel expertise.”

Performance characteristics evaluated include starting and acceleration, shifting, steering, handling, braking, ride quality and fuel economy.

A notable fact relating to the 2009 Best Buys compared with Consumers Digest’s 2008 recommendations is a decline of three total Best Buys for U.S. automakers — to 24 from 27 a year ago. Asian automakers increased by three, to 22 Best Buy models from 19. Four brands saw their totals increase by two: Chevrolet has five 2009 Best Buys, Mazda has four, Nissan has three and Volkswagen has two. Two brands saw their Best Buy totals slip by two: two vehicles from Saturn received Best Buys; Jeep has no Best Buys in 2009.

The Auto Best Buys section includes photos, invoice pricing, standard features and performance traits that support the models’ Best Buy selection in the collective opinion of CD’s veteran automotive editors: Jim Gorzelany has served Consumers Digest readers for 21 years, including reporting on automotive categories such as crossover SUVs and hybrids; Kevin Kelly is senior editor of Automotive Design & Production magazine; Jim Mateja writes a weekly Chicago Tribune auto column and has received numerous awards for his auto coverage; Matt Nauman served as San Jose Mercury News’ auto editor and is one of the jurors that picks the North American Car of the Year at the annual Detroit auto show.

“Few purchases are more important, or require more research, than buying a new vehicle,” Weber says. “Our analyses underscore our commitment to ensure that consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making it as they were on the day they drove off the lot.”

Consumers Digest, launched in 1960, is designed to inform and educate readers so they can buy with confidence, no matter the product or service. The magazine is committed to providing practical advice, factual evaluations and specific recommendations that lead consumers to exceptional values in today’s complex marketplace.

Source: Consumers Digest

12 tips to pay less in auto insurance. Some unexpected factors play a role in how much you pay in premiums.

With automobile insurance costs on the rise, it pays to periodically review your insurance costs and coverage to make sure it is the best deal for your current situation. The strategies presented below will generally position you for the best auto insurance deals.

Read more about  Reduce Your Auto Insurance Premium