When figuring out which car to buy, consumers consult the advice of family and friends, as well as shopping guides from Consumer Reports and the like. But the info that’s most influential in the buying decision tends to come from an individual who has obvious self-interest in how that decision plays out.
cars
Death of a Minivan: Sign of the Impending Doom of All Minivans?
Chrysler, which more or less invented the minivan and regularly accounts for half of all minivans sold in the U.S. annually, is killing off one of its best-selling family automobiles, the Town & Country. Why?
As Gas Prices Go, So Go Prices for Used Cars
What do prices at the pump have to do with prices at the used car lot? They actually tend to mimic each other. Higher gas prices tend to cause drivers to want to spend less out of pocket on their automobiles. That means rising …
Too Much to Drink? AAA’s ‘Tipsy Tow’ Offers Free Rides for You & Your Car This Weekend
To prevent drunk driving, AAA clubs around the country are offering free rides to folks who’ve celebrated too much to safely get behind the wheel over Memorial Day weekend. They’ll also tow your car home—again, free of charge. …
Memorial Day Car Deals: Are the ‘Deals’ Really Deals? Or Just Hype?
In recent years, Memorial Day weekend has become an especially big period for new car sales. The trend is expected to continue this weekend, and special promotions, rebates, and incentives—at least for certain vehicles—will …
Crafty Ways Car Dealerships Get You to Spend—When You’re Not Buying a Car
As the average car on the road has never been older, it’s come as no surprise that all of those old cars need service and repairs—and the auto repair business has never been better. With that in mind, car dealerships are …
Driving like a Jerk May Cost You an Extra $100 Per Month in Gas
How can one driver average 37 m.p.g. and get 575 miles per fill-up, while another driver — driving the same model car — tops out at 21 m.p.g. and 325 miles per tank? The answer is that these two drivers drive very differently.
How the Heck Are SUV Sales Hot Again?
The conventional thinking had it that rising gas prices would stifle the sales of SUVs. Lane-clogging Suburbans and Explorers would slowly disappear with loads of drivers turning to smaller, fuel-efficient cars. And yet, even as gas prices remain relatively high, SUV sales have never been better. What gives?
When Consumers Pay More Due to Race or Gender
Is there a “woman tax”? By some account, women pay over $1,300 more annually than men for everything from deodorant to sneakers to health care. They’re not the only group that pays a premium, though. Men are charged thousands …
Gas Prices Get Screwy, Dropping 14¢ in One State, Rising Over 14¢ in Others
A week ago, a federal agency announced its latest forecast for gas prices, which are expected to remain stable through the summer, averaging under $3.80 nationwide. While the overall average may indeed stay fairly flat, prices in …
A Dozen Random Goods & Services Selling Unusually Well Right Now
What do chicken thighs, home safes, used SUVs, temporary tattoos for pets, American sperm, and Asian-American egg donations have in common? Lately, consumers have demonstrated a curiously high level of interest in these goods and …
What Drivers Can Learn from Two Highly Unusual Cross-Country Road Trips
Ever dream of taking off on the open road for a footloose and carefree trip around the country? Then don’t try to drive cross-country in an electric car. Don’t try to break the record for best gas mileage either.