Teen drivers crash more often than any other age group, mainly because of inexperience. The car cannot fix that, but it can make a big difference to how a mistake ends. That is why safety experts give parents the same advice year after year: choose something mid-size, safe and boring. What to look for The … Read more
The most expensive cars in the world fall into two very different groups: new cars built in tiny numbers for a handful of clients, and historic cars that change hands at auction. Both reach prices that have little to do with how well they drive. Coachbuilt one-offs At the very top of new-car prices are … Read more
“Off-road” means very different things to different people. For one driver it is a gravel road to a campsite; for another, a rocky trail that requires locking differentials. Be honest about which kind you will actually do, because real off-road hardware makes a vehicle heavier, thirstier and less comfortable on pavement. What makes a vehicle … Read more
City driving is slow, tight and full of stops. A car that is great on an open road can be tiring in town: too wide for narrow streets, hard to see out of, thirsty in traffic. A good city car flips those priorities. Size and visibility Length and turning circle matter more in town than … Read more
Most cars are bought with a loan, and the type of loan you choose can change the total cost by thousands of dollars. The main differences are who lends you the money, what secures the loan, and how long you take to repay it. Direct lending: banks, credit unions and online lenders You apply directly … Read more
Leasing means paying to use a new car for a fixed period, usually two to four years, then handing it back. You pay for the value the car loses during that time, plus interest and fees, rather than its full price. That makes it a good deal for some drivers and an expensive one for … Read more
Car dealers negotiate every day; most buyers do it every few years. The way to even the odds is preparation: know what the car should cost, keep each part of the deal separate, and be ready to walk away. Know the real price Start with the exact model, trim and options you want. Then look … Read more
Reliability rankings are published every year, and the same names tend to appear at the top. They are a good starting point, but they hide big differences between models of the same brand, so it pays to understand where the data comes from. Where reliability rankings come from The best-known sources in the US are … Read more
For most buyers, a well-chosen used car is the cheapest way to own a reliable vehicle. The biggest drop in value happens in the first years, and someone else has already paid for it. The risk is buying a car with hidden problems, and that risk can be managed. The advantages Depreciation is the main … Read more
The right family car depends less on brand than on a few numbers: how many seats you need every day, how many car seats have to fit side by side, and how much you carry. Get those right and almost any well-rated model will do the job. One or two children: a compact car can … Read more
