New research shows that lenders are loosening their standards for auto loans for people with damaged credit, but this is better news for lenders than it is for borrowers — or auto companies.
cars
Honda’s New Electric Car Comes with a Nifty Perk: Free Insurance
The Honda Fit EV gets the equivalent of 118 mpg, a rating that leads all electric cars widely available to the public. Drivers who lease an electrified version of the award-winning Fit may be even more intrigued with another …
Don’t Like the Car’s Price? Wait an Hour
This is the kind of negotiating that a car buyer could get used to. Through Monday, eBay is selling at least 10 new cars per day in a very unique way: The asking price for each vehicle starts at MSRP—and then drops by $500 every hour until somebody buys.
The Stubborn Consumers Who Just Aren’t Buying Cars
At first glance, June 2012 appears to be shaping up as a fairly big month for auto sales. Industry experts estimate that 1.2 million new cars will be sold by the end of June, a rise of 18% compared to last June, and the most cars …
Want to Stop Drivers from Speeding? Pay Them
There already are obvious financial incentives to obey the speed limit: Speeding can result in costly tickets, as well as even more costly auto insurance surcharges. But what if the incentive system was reversed and drivers were …
$3 Gas, Here We Come
Gas prices, once all but guaranteed to hit record highs this summer, are now forecast to keep retreating well into autumn. At the current pace, by Thanksgiving if not sooner the national average should dip under $3 per …
Where a Nissan Leaf Costs Over $50K
Even when the national average for gas neared $4 per gallon, very few American drivers were opting for electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf, largely because of the limited mileage range (100 miles max before requiring a …
Car Shoppers: Better Prices Expected Down the Road
After months of rising used-car prices, drivers are getting some relief, with “previously loved” models expected to get cheaper in the near future. As for consumers in the market for a fuel-efficient new Japanese import, it looks …
4 Rules for Getting a Car Loan
Americans are buying cars again in a big way, with new car sales expected to be up 30% year-over-year in May, continuing the trajectory of rising demand that’s been going strong all year. Given that most of us aren’t going to …
The Blurring Line Between Cheap and Luxury Cars
Pickup trucks are being sold with heated steering wheels and snakeskin leather accented interiors. Middle-of-the-road cars like the Ford Fusion come with sport-stitched leather-trimmed 10-way power seats. Even Kia, which has won …
It Costs a Lot of Money to ‘Save’ on Gas with a 118-MPG Car
The electric version of the Honda Fit has been one of the most heavily anticipated little cars to hit the market. Considering that the regular Fit is a perennial “best value” award winner, the hope is that the Fit EV would help …
Once-Struggling Cars That Are Suddenly Hot Sellers
Fiat and Toyota, both of which had a rough sales year in 2011, can’t seem to produce cars fast enough for buyers lately. One much-hyped plug-in vehicle is also faring better in the marketplace in 2012. After struggling to attract …