| Road
test: 10 most exciting cars of 2005 -- Like needles in
a haystack, there are many exciting vehicles among the hundreds of good, bad and
mediocre in showrooms today. Bankrate's Terry Jackson went on the road to find
the top 10. Top
10 gas guzzlers of 2005 -- They're usually big, powerful
and capable of turning heads at a single glance. But you sure pay the price to
drive them, the biggest fuel drinkers of 2005. Is
a hybrid car right for you? -- Hybrid cars -- a combination
of a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor-- are good for the
earth. But is it the best car for you? Our personalized calculator will help you
decide. Top
10 car-buying mistakes -- Buying a new car isn't rocket
science, but it's not easy either. Give yourself a break by avoiding these top
10 mistakes buyers make. Top
10 gas misers for 2005 -- Fed up with the high price of
gasoline with little relief in sight? Check out these 10 cars and 10 trucks that
go a long way on just a few drops. Buy
peace of mind with certified, pre-owned cars -- Buying
a used car always sparks the fear investing in a lemon. But if you pay a little
extra a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle may give you affordability and peace
of mind. Surfing
the Web to buy a car -- More people than ever use it to
shop. But what about to buy? Showroom
showdown: 3 secrets to success -- Many would-be car buyers
dread walking into a dealer's showroom. But if you are equipped with these three
secrets you'll be assured of success. Affordability?
Stick to 20 percent -- Unsure of how much you should spend
on a new car? Limit yourself to 20 percent of your take-home pay, say the experts.
New
car ad slogans: Too good to be true -- Many of those radio
and newspaper ads for new cars sound too good to be true. And they are. This is
the hidden truth behind some of our favorites. 10
rules for dealing with a car dealer -- Negotiating is essential
in buying an auto, or you'll almost certainly pay more. Follow these 10 tips for
helping you to negotiate the best deal. Top
10 car-dealer tricks -- New car dealers are not all a bunch
of con-artists, but some believe the soul of P.T. Barnum lives on in all of them.
Understanding their top 10 tricks can help you sidestep them when buying a new
car. 10
auto-leasing booby traps -- When leasing a car you should
be just as wary as when you're buying it. Watch for these top 10 booby traps of
auto leasing. Scrutinize
that repair rating -- Sure, you've calculated exactly how
much it will cost to buy that dream car, but do you have any idea how much it's
going to cost to keep it running? F&I
office: Business -- or monkey business? -- Purchasing a
new car doesn't end with the salesman's handshake. You've still got to get through
the F&I (finance and insurance) office and often that's where the real games begin.
--
Posted: Feb. 15, 2005 | 
Shopping
for a new car can be fun or futility -- but we'll show you the best way to travel
that sometimes rocky road to success. To start, we'll help you surf the web, determine
how much you can afford to spend, show you the biggest mistakes buyers make and
even point out traps to avoid at a dealership and still get a good deal. 
