If you’ve fueled up in the last few months, you know that gas prices are rising. According to AAA, national averages for a gallon of gas reached $3.60 at the end of March, and that price is expected to increase, with analysts predicting that gas might rise to five dollars per gallon by the end of 2012. Some say that it’s unlikely that prices will go that high that quickly, but we have to face the facts: Gas prices are completely out of our control..

Why are Gas Prices Rising?

Gas prices jump when the world’s crude-oil supply is limited, and currently, a substantial chunk of that black gold is threatened by the crises in the Middle East. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, over one-third of the world’s liquid fuels came from North Africa and the Middle East in 2010. Of those fuels, the Middle East produced 25.1-million barrels of oil on a daily basis, while the big players in North Africa – Algeria and Libya – account for roughly 2.1-million and 1.8-million barrels of oil each day, respectively.

If you think that 33 percent is more than the world can afford to lose – you’re right. Think of it this way: If you miss 33 percent of the questions on a test, you’re dangerously close to a failing grade. Fear of losing access to one-third of those natural resources increases global fuel demands, and prices skyrocket. That’s why you’re paying more per gallon.

The U.S. imports half of its oil, which is why we depend on the Middle East. We guzzle more oil than most countries. Last year, the U.S. used roughly 19 million barrels of oil per day, and we don’t produce as much as we use. The U.S. only produced 9.65 million barrels of oil per day in 2010. That means we rely on others for half of the gas we pump.

Our dependence on foreign oil and turmoil in the Middle East affects what we pay. In March 2010, regular unleaded cost about $2.77 per gallon on average, and you could fill your Honda Civic’s 13.2-gallon tank for about $36.56. At the end of March 2011, regular fuel averaged $3.60. So now it costs about $46 to fill up.

Analysts aren’t sure if the crisis in Japan has contributed to rising gas prices here. Since the earthquake and tsunami, Japan’s oil consumption has only increased by 200,000 barrels per day, an increase that makes up just 0.2% of the 88 million barrels that are used worldwide on a daily basis.

The price of gas had a minor increase after Japan’s earthquake on March 11, 2010. EIA data shows that regular fuel prices increased by just 4.4 cents per gallon three days after the quake.

Although gas prices are out of our control, there are some things you can do to save cash. Start by maximizing fuel economy.

Take the Fuel Efficient Route

Careful planning is an easy way to conserve fuel. If you own more than one vehicle, always use the fuel-efficient option – there’s no reason to take your gas-guzzling truck to the doctor’s office when your Honda will do. You can also save fuel by consolidating your trips and errands. For example, go before or after work to cut down on trips, and look for shopping centers where you can take care of business in one stop. As you plan outings, bypass congested areas and maintain a steady speed – this will help you drive more efficiently.

Change How You Drive

One of the best ways to conserve is to change your driving habits. Here are a few ways that you can get the most out of your drive.

1. Slow down

If you’ve got a lead foot, it’s time to lighten up. When you speed, your engine works harder to overcome wind resistance. We’re not suggesting that you idle to-and-from work, but the speed limit is designed to maximize fuel efficiency. Drive accordingly, and you may notice you’re filling up less.

2. Don’t Jack Rabbit

Rocketing off the line when the light turns green uses more fuel than controlled, steady acceleration. Pay attention to the flow of traffic and drivers around you. Accelerate deliberately, and coast to a stop – your engine will use less fuel. If roads aren’t congested, use cruise control to boost your mileage and maintain a constant speed.

3. Lighten Up

You probably bought a Honda Odyssey or Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen because of their awesome cargo space, but don’t keep your car loaded down with gear. Extra weight decreases fuel economy. Keep it light, and you’ll see more miles between fill-ups.

4. Stay Cool

Turning on all the electronic components in your car make the engine work harder, and one of the most taxing ones is the air conditioner. Keep your car cool in hot weather by parking in shaded areas, and use your air conditioner’s recirculating function to minimize the amount of juice the car uses to keep you cool.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Much like your heart, your car will run more efficiently when it’s properly maintained. That means you should stay on top of your vehicle’s routine maintenance, just like you go in for checkups and hit the gym a few times a week. Make sure the air and fuel filters are clean. Clogged filters reduce efficiency, making it harder for your engine to breathe. If your engine has to work harder, it will use more gas. If your car needs a tune-up, fresh spark plugs and wires can also boost mileage. Low tire pressure can also hurt fuel economy. If your tires are under-inflated your engine will have to work harder to get it going.

Going Forward

We’re fuel dependent in the U.S., and there’s no getting around it. No one can predict the future, and the price of gas is largely tied to world events. Still, as consumers, we’re not powerless. These tips provide a sure-fire way to save money, and conserve fuel.

When it comes to selling your car privately, there’s one question AutoTrader.com Spokesperson Mark Scott says you need to answer: “Is it really worth your time?&rdquo.

After all, selling a car is a process that requires patience, as well as a lot of people- and sales skills — especially if you’re going to get a fair price. Unfortunately, mistakes along the way can cost you dearly. Reports of low-ball sales and even buyer fraud are all too common.

So why not trade your car or sell it to a third party dealer instead?

Because you can make more money selling a vehicle on your own. In fact, Kelley Blue Book, one of the leaders in used car appraisal services, reports that the owner of a 2007 Honda Accord EX with 60,000 miles can lose as much as $2,000 by trading to a dealer instead of selling directly to a buyer. However, not all cars will command such a significant price difference, so you may want to research your car before committing to the effort of a private sale.

If you’ve got the time and believe that a private sale is worth it, then you’ll need to go about the process wisely. Below are the costliest car-selling mistakes that you should avoid when selling a car on your own.

Choosing the Wrong Source for Your Sale

A mistake many sellers make is choosing the wrong place to advertise their car. As the seller, you need to first figure out how much money you are willing to spend on an ad and how much time you think it will take to sell your car.

While purchasing a print ad in your local newspaper may seem like a thing of the past, most major market newspapers are keeping up with the times by including an online ad with the purchase of a print ad. However, many sellers will find purchasing only an online ad from sources such as Cars.com or AutoTrader.com a better fit.

Why? Because all print ads have a limited lifespan and most of the online ads that come with them have short shelf lives. For example, The Miami Herald sells classified listings for $37.99. This includes both a print and web ad, but the print ad only lasts two full weekends and the web ad lasts 14 days. Cars.com, though, will sell you an ad that lasts 30 days, but can be renewed for free until your car sells, for $40.

There are also free options, such as Craigslist. Relying solely on Craigslist to sell your car is entirely possible, “but augmenting [your Craigslist ad] with other on-line assets that allow you to tell a better story, post more pictures and get in front of serious shoppers is a better strategy,” says Scott. To get the most exposure and to sell your car as quickly as possible you will want to utilize as many free and paid sites as possible that manage to fit both your budget and time constraints.

Constructing an Incomplete Ad

Your car may be a great buy, but if you don’t properly convey that in your ad no one will ever know. Forgetting to include information that’s important to prospective buyers can raise concerns about the condition of your car or — even worse — discourage shoppers from contacting you.

To get the most for your ride, you’ll need to be as detailed and transparent as possible. Be sure to note your car’s mileage and condition, as well as any accidents, modifications or recent repairs. It’s also a good idea to list its vehicle identification number (VIN) so that interested shoppers can order a vehicle history report. You can find your car’s VIN on the vehicle’s title or registration.

Mispricing Your Car

Choosing to sell your car privately can net you more money than a trade-in or selling to a third party dealer. However, pricing your car too high can dissuade shoppers; and pricing your car too low can cost you money.

To determine a selling price that’s fair to both you and shoppers, consult a credible source that tracks used car prices. Sites like Kelley Blue Book and NADA Guide can provide you with that information quickly and for free. You can also check out ads of vehicles similar to yours to compare asking prices. Scott suggests sellers “Look at a variety of sources when researching prices.”

Not Taking Enough Pictures

Most newspapers and websites will allow you to include pictures with an ad. Not taking advantage of this opportunity will make it easy for your ad to be overlooked — especially if other ads feature eye-catching shots.

To make the most of your pictures, clean your car before snapping away. This is a prospective buyer’s first impression of your car; don’t let it be a bad one.

Another rule of thumb is to take more than one photo. In fact, Scott says you should “use as many photos as possible. People see one photo and might not even click on it.”

Show useful images such as your car’s body, interior, trunk, wheels and other details. If there are any damages, include photos of those as well.

Fumbling the Sales Pitch

Expecting your car to sell on its own merits would be a mistake. Unless you’re selling a rare or prized vehicle, you’ll need to be proactive in pitching the benefits of your car to interested buyers. Otherwise, you may end up owning it for a lot longer than you’d like.

According to Scott, “One of the most common mistakes is not doing your research ahead of time before selling your car.” Research doesn’t just include the information in the ad, like mileage and repair history, but also things like fuel economy, recalls and whether buying replacement parts are affordable or not. Knowing this information will make you an expert on your car when talking to shoppers. It’ll also familiarize you with the pros and cons that the buyer has likely researched — which, ultimately, puts you in a stronger position to make a sale.

If the buyer wants to test drive the car, go along and continue the sales pitch. Just be sure to check that the driver has a valid driver’s license and insurance.

Leaving Yourself Open to Fraud

Just because a buyer appears legitimate doesn’t mean that he or she is. Handing over the keys and title before receiving full payment for your car can leave you susceptible to fraud.

You should always insist on a cash sale. Buyers, however, may want to pay with a cashier’s check or money order instead. If that’s the case, “tell them you’d like to meet at the place where it was drafted to confirm that they have the funds,” says Scott. It’s not uncommon for buyers to write checks with insufficient funds, only to take off with your car and leave you without any money.

Once the money is cleared, you can then sign over the title and give the keys to the new owner. Unless specified between you and the buyer, any additional fees (such as registration, tag or title) are the responsibility of the car’s new owner.

If you’re like most drivers, then you look forward to the repair shop like you look forward to a bad cold. And who can blame you? Visits are often expensive and, unless you understand the repair process, it can feel like you’re being taken advantage of. Still, at some point or another you’ll need to have your car serviced.

There are ways you can avoid dishing out big bucks on an auto repair or, even worse, getting ripped off. All that’s required is that you take a proactive role in maintaining your car’s health and do a little homework. Sure, the process can be time consuming, but it’s a lot better than dishing out $25 to have your headlight fluid changed.

Below are three simple steps to save money on auto repairs.

1. Make Repairs Sooner Rather than Later

Because car repairs are expensive, it’s tempting to let them slide. But putting off or skipping certain repairs can be a costly and even dangerous game. In the long run, routine maintenance is cheaper than ignoring a problem and simply waiting for things to go wrong.

Your owner’s manual should outline routine services your car needs, as well as when they should be done. Beware of mechanics who recommend services long before your owner’s manual says your car needs them. Keep on top of maintenance now and you’ll avoid costly repairs — and dealing with shady mechanics — later.

2. Choose a Qualified and Trustworthy Repair Shop

Ideally, you’ll have established good relations with a local auto repair shop long before your car gets towed in. That, however, isn’t always the case.

While it can be frustrating trying to identify a qualified and trustworthy auto repair specialist on short notice, you need to properly vet your choices. One of the costliest mistakes you can make is taking your vehicle to a repair shop that you’re unfamiliar with. It can leave you susceptible to price rip offs, an incomplete fix or — even worse — more damage.

An easy first step to take in identifying a qualified professional is asking family, friends and coworkers for recommendations. Most folks will happily steer you towards a trustworthy and qualified repair specialist. Even if they don’t have a shop they like, you’ll at least get some information on which to avoid.

Speaking of qualifications, verifying them should be your second step in identifying the right repair shop. Make sure that the technicians who will be working on your car are certified by a credible organization like the Automotive Service Councils (ASC). It’s also a good sign if the shop is approved by AAA or has partnerships with high-quality manufacturers such as Bosch. If the shop is involved in the community or sits on advisory boards, that’s even better.

Also, don’t underestimate the usefulness of reviews. Plenty of websites, like Yelp.com, provide thousands of customer reviews that can help you determine whether a repair shop is good or bad.

Lastly, visit the repair shop and ask lots of questions — just as you would a doctor’s or dentist’s office. Pay attention to such details as the cleanliness of the shop and the demeanor of customer service representatives. If a shop can’t be bothered to be professional up front, who knows how professional they’ll be in the repair bay?

3. Compare Prices

In the past, waiting for a repair estimate was nerve-racking. When it came to repair costs, most consumers were flying blind. Thankfully, times have changed.

RepairPal.com is an online tool that generates a free and independent estimate of what a repair should cost in the area in which you live. All you do is enter your zip code, as well as your vehicle’s year, make, model and problem. With RepairPal.com’s estimate in hand, you’ll know whether a shop you’re considering is on the up and up or taking you for a ride.

Don’t, however, choose the first qualified shop to quote you a cheap-to-fair price. By comparing multiple estimates, you can be sure to get the most for your money. After all, not all shops are out to rip you off. Some charge more than others simply because they use higher quality parts and offer longer service warranties. Since there are so many different variables, make sure that you’re comparing experience and parts costs in an apples-to-apples way.

With the automotive industry in turmoil and consumers guarding every dime, there’s never been a more nerve-wracking time to buy a car. A vehicle is typically the second-largest investment an American family makes – and with economic uncertainty growing daily and borrowing more difficult than ever, those who need a new car now know it’s vital to make a good investment decision.

With that harsh reality in mind, U.S. News & World Report has announced its first annual Best Cars for the Money awards. The awards consider three key factors in determining the value of every car on the market:

First is the collective opinion of the automotive press on the relative merits of each car. Our team of editors regularly reads hundreds of published car reviews, generating numerical scores that reflect each reviewer’s opinion of each car and plugging those into a formula that generates an overall score for the car, then ranking it against its competition. Those rankings are updated often, to provide a constantly evolving perspective on the best car at each price point and vehicle type.

But the Best Cars for the Money awards go further, not just looking for good cars, but for great investments.

That’s why the second factor considered is the target price consumers should expect to pay for the car (not just what the manufacturer says it costs), which is calculated for us by Intellichoice, an industry leader in determining new car values.

Finally, the awards consider the five-year cost of owning the car — factoring in everything from fuel economy to depreciation — because a cheap car may cost you more in the long run than if you spend a little more upfront for a reliable set of wheels.

The full list of winners is available here.

Some of the calls were close – the Honda Odyssey narrowly lost out to the Toyota Sienna, for instance, as the Best Minivan for the Money.

Others were not close. The Honda Fit ran away from the field with the Best Subcompact Car for the Money award.

We’ve noted the close finishes as well, with our list of other Top Picks for the Money.

And if you’re shopping, keep in mind that prices are low, and constantly shifting, in this depressed car market. Research the best car deals available in this market before you make a decision. In fact, many of our award winners are available at significant discounts today.

Autoblog reports, “The results are in from J.D. Power and Associates’ latest annual Sales Satisfaction Index Study, and Jaguar has leapt back up to the top position that it occupied for three of the four past years before dropping last year to third.” The survey asked 36,000 new car buyers to describe their dealership experience, “taking into account the dealership’s facility, the individual salesperson, the paperwork and finance process, vehicle delivery process and price as criteria for their overall satisfaction. Jaguar dealers scored particularly high in the delivery, paperwork and price categories by properly explaining their vehicle’s features, delivering the vehicles in excellent condition and offering good value compared to its competitors..

The result is great news for Jaguar dealers. The company was sold to Indian automaker Tata Motors last year, and many have wondered whether new management would be able to repair the brand’s sagging reputation. Having attractive new models like the XF sedan, ,doesn’t hurt.

Edmunds Inside Line notes, “In an unusual twist, many Asian brands – including Honda, Toyota, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki, Hyundai and Mazda – ranked below the industry-average customer satisfaction score in the study, despite gaining market share over domestic vehicles.”

Motor Trend says that popular Asian brands perform poorly on Power’s survey as “a result of their emphasis on vehicle quality and not dealership hospitality.” J.D. Power Director of Automotive Research Tom Gauer adds, “The Asian import buyer generally has a higher education level, is more affluent, is generally younger…they tend to be more critical in their evaluation.”

Whatever kind of car you’re interested in buying, there are steps you should take before you ever walk in the dealership door. Read our 7 Ways to Survive the Car Dealership to brush up – and given the state of the credit market, you should probably read our 5 Ways to Get the Best Deal in a Down Market as well.

We’ve had nothing but bad news to report about the state of the automotive credit industry for months, but this morning we’ve got something good to report. If you live in the Midwest and need a new car, try a joining credit union. They’ve got new money to lend.

The Detroit Free Press reports, “General Motors Corp., coping with a credit crunch that has sent industrywide sales plummeting to the lowest level in 26 years, is expected to announce a partnership with Midwest credit unions that will make it easier for consumers to buy cars.” The program, in partnership with the Michigan Credit Union League, “offers new or current members of 1,200 credit unions access to lower loan rates and about 4.5 percent off manufacturer’s suggested retail price.” About $10 billion has been allocated to the program.

The deal can be combined with other incentives. Credit unions in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois are participating today, but USA Today reports that “depending on the results, [the program] may be launched nationwide in early 2009, the credit union group said.”

For now, the loans are only available on GM products. But Autoblog reports, “Ford and Chrysler are also reportedly talking with the MCUL to offer attractive pricing options.”

Kicking Tires adds, “The program is set to run today through June 5, 2009. If you purchase a car before Jan. 5, 2009, however, there will be another $250 in cash back. This deal is only eligible to members of the credit unions, but anyone who opens an account with a credit union will be qualified as well.”

It might be a good idea to polish your credit score before applying. A call the MCUL officials reveals that the credit score needed to qualify for the loans varies depending on the judgment of each individual credit union in the League – and standards have been tight nationwide this year. Check out the 5 Ways to Make Sure You Qualify for New Car Financing. You might also want to read our tips for getting the best deal in a bad market.

At the moment, more than a third of the new cars for sale in the United States can be purchased with zero-percent financing offered through car manufacturers. Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Infiniti, Mercury, Chrysler, Mazda, Lincoln…the list of automakers offering interest-free financing deals just keeps growing. Commercials touting the offers with annoying songs and shouting announcers have taken over television and radio — and the craze has probably just begun.

The most aggressive auto incentives of the year traditionally appear just after Thanksgiving weekend. With 2008 shaping up to be the worst year for auto sales in perhaps two decades, we expect that the number of these offers will actually increase shortly.

But do these offers make any sense for car shoppers?

Up to a point, they do. But some buyers might be better off exploring other options.

Credit Concerns

The deals are typically limited to buyers with very good credit, in a time when many Americans have seen their credit ratings battered by slow economic conditions.

Dealers are reluctant to say exactly what the cut-off point for the offers is — they don’t want to scare away a potential customer on the phone. But three Toyota dealerships we called shared with us that buyers need at least a 650 FICO score to qualify for that brand’s highly-touted zero-percent financing offers. Two Ford dealerships told us 700 was their minimum, while a third said 750.

Knowing your own score is one of the first steps to negotiating a good car deal. But keep in mind that in 2007, the average American FICO score was 678 — and that was in better economic times when more people were able to easily make payments. Automakers are competing for a dwindling pool of buyers with good credit, and they’re wary of buyers with anything else. These financing deals aren’t available to a fairly large portion of the population.

High Monthly Payments

Assuming your credit is in shape, another key consideration is how much money a car will take out of your monthly budget. This is another area where interest-free financing loses some of its luster.

Let’s say, for example, you’re interested in a 2009 Mazda6 iTouring model with the Convenience Package and a moonroof. The vehicle has an MSRP of $25,745, but you’ve talked the dealer down to $24,000, and you have $3,000 available to pay down.

You can accept Mazda’s interest-free loan offer for 36 months, and pay $583.33 per month.

Or you can accept Mazda’s other current offer on the car: 3.9 percent financing for 60 months. With that deal, you’ll pay $378.18 per month.

The low monthly payment is enticing and might help some Americans stay within their budgets. The U.S. Department of Transportation says that most Americans now keep a car just over seven years — so even under the longer-term loan, you’ll probably pay off the car before you give it up.

But be clear on what you’re paying in the long run. Over the life of the loan, you’d pay $1,691 more in interest than with the interest-free loan. And you’ll eliminate the car payment from your monthly expenses two years later than you would with the zero percent offer.

Forgoing Rebate Offers

With many of today’s offers, buyers have a choice: Accept zero-percent financing, or a cash-back rebate that can outweigh the benefits of interest-free financing.

Let’s say, for example, you’re looking to put down $2,000 on a $33,315 loaded 2008 Chrysler 300 Limited. You could go with Chrysler’s offer of zero-percent financing over 36 months and pay $33,315 by the time you’re done paying for the car.

Or you could accept Chrysler’s $5,000 cash back offer instead, then apply that money toward a $7,000 down payment on the car, financed at a 6.9 percent rate (that national average for car loans last year) for the same 36 months through a bank or credit union outside the dealership. You’d pay a total of $2,716 in interest on the car over the life of that loan — and minus the dealer’s $5,000, you’d have parted with $31,031 of your own money over three years — $2,284 less than with the zero-percent deal.

The rebate, then, makes sense but only if it’s as high as Chrysler’s. We ran the same scenario with several Toyota, Mazda and Nissan offers that have rebates in the $2000 to $3,000 range, and the zero-percent deal often came out on top. We had to work for quite a while to find the example of the 300, where the rebate is large enough to outweigh the financing offer.

Read the Fine Print

By now, you’ve figured out the catch. These examples use prices near MSRP for each car, and in today’s market, a savvy negotiator can knock prices down significantly, right?

That raises another concern. Having dealer financing as your only financing option can knock your ability to negotiate off-kilter. Even if you’re interested in the dealer’s financing deal, make sure you negotiate the vehicle price first, before you even start talking about financing. It also helps to have a financing offer from a bank or credit union. In today’s automotive market, with sales so slow that several of the world’s largest automakers are teetering on bankruptcy, it may be possible to significantly negotiate down the price of the car in the first place — and you’ll be more successful at that if you walk in the door the first time with outside financing in hand.

If you’re still tempted, we’ll offer one final word of caution on interest-free financing: Read the contract carefully before you sign it. Many of the offers say that if you are late with a single payment, the rate increases. You could find yourself locked into a high-interest loan if you’re not careful.

The catchy jingles don’t change the basics of buying a car: Know your credit score, secure financing first, and go home and sleep on it before you sign anything. In fact, go home and do the math. You may well realize that the dealer’s zero-percent offer just doesn’t beat what you can do at the bank yourself, with the dealer’s cash rebate as a downpayment.

GPS Reviews

Feeling lost while shopping for a GPS Navigation System? Check out our new GPS Reviews to help you decide.

• GPS Reviews

Car Deals: November 2008

With auto sales on the decline now is the time to get a great deal on a new car. Check out our Car Deals for further details

• November Car Deals
• November Lease Deals
• Get free, competing price quotes

How to Buy a Car in a Down Market

• 5 Ways to get the Best Deal on a New Car
• How to get a Car Loan
• Best Car Deals this Month

Best Cars 2008: Top Rankings

• Best Economy Cars
• Best Midsize Cars
• Best Upscale Cars
• Best Midsize SUVs
• Best Sports Cars
• See All Car, Truck and SUV Rankings

advertisement

Consumer Reports has released its annual automotive reliability rankings, and this year CR presents them with a twist that fits the slowing economy. “Fuel-efficient vehicles are a very reliable segment of the automotive market overall,” CR explains, with nine hybrid models receiving above-average reliability scores, and “gas-sippers such as the Honda Fit, Scion xD, Smart ForTwo, and Toyota Yaris” also doing quite well.

The most reliable nameplate in the automotive world this year was Toyota’s Scion brand – the first time Scion has claimed the honor. Business Week explains, “In this year’s study, Honda Motor Co.’s Acura and Honda lines ranked right behind Scion, followed by the Toyota nameplate and Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus. Asian names occupied all of the magazine’s top 10 slots, with a domestic automaker not appearing on the list until No. 11 with Ford Motor Co.’s Lincoln brand.”

Among American automakers, the magazine found, Ford made the most dependable cars in 2008. Ford’s scores equaled those of Honda and Toyota in many cases. Kicking Tires notes, “GM’s reliability remains a mixed bag. While the Chevrolet Malibu is now recommended, vehicles like the Buick Enclave, Cadillac CTS and GMC Acadia received below-average reliability ratings. More than two-thirds of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles were labeled unreliable, with the Chrysler Sebring convertible rated as the most unreliable new car in the survey. “

Autoblog adds, “European brands are reportedly improving their reliability” overall in the survey, but “Many models remain below average and Land Rover has again came up dead last with all four of its SUVs scoring far below average.”

CR’s methodology is the source of some controversy in the industry. The magazine itself explains that the results are “based on our subscribers’ experiences with 1.4 million vehicles. Respondents reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles in 17 trouble spots during the previous 12 months, which allows us to provide predicted-reliability Ratings for new cars.” Some argue that Consumer Reports subscribers are a self-limiting set of consumers – that subscribers are more likely to buy brands the magazine calls reliable and avoid brands it doesn’t, constricting the information the magazine has available to compile its next set of ratings.

But Autoblog comments, “Regardless of where you stand on the validity of Consumer Reports’ testing and survey methods, there’s millions of people out there who consider the magazine their buying bible. Thus, it’s news when the non-profit releases findings from a new subscriber-based survey.”

Research the best cars in every class with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.

USA Today reports, “Toyota announced Thursday what is calls its most sweeping credit incentive-discount program ever…In a bid to revive traffic in showrooms, Toyota will offer 0% financing on 11 models through Nov. 3. The deal covers most of the Toyota brand except hybrids and the Yaris subcompact. The company’s Scion and Lexus brands are not included.” The move is highly unusual for Toyota. While domestic automakers have used incentives to sell cars in a slow economy many times, Toyota is known for resisting the urge to heavily discount cars.

The Detroit News characterizes the offer as “the latest sign of the mounting woes in the auto industry.” They note that “Toyota has been spending far less on incentives than Detroit’s Big Three automakers.” The Japanese company “spent $1,481 per vehicle in September, compared to $3,972 for General Motors Corp,” while “Ford Motor Co. spent $3,696 and Chrysler LLC spent $4,705.”

Business Week, meanwhile says the offer “is trying to make the point that tight credit is no excuse for buyers.” Credit woes are largely blamed for a September that saw the worst sales figures in fifteen years in the auto industry. “Toyota’s incentives come at a time when banks are curtailing lending because of widespread mortgage defaults that have brought down investment banks and a major insurance company.” The company apparently wants to show consumers that credit is available for those who are car shopping — “in fact, [Toyota is] literally giving credit away for free.”

When we researched the best car deals of October, we did flag one Toyota as a stunningly good offer. But, somewhat surprisingly, we found better deals from domestic and even European makes in quite a few classes. Research the best ways to get a car loan with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.