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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 help the cause.

Want to Buy a Foreclosure? Here’s What You Need to Know

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Foreclosures are up in 26 of the 50 largest metro areas in the country, according to a quarterly report released by foreclosure site RealtyTrac.com. This is good news for bargain hunters and intrepid home buyers who want to get a cheap house. If you’re planning to buy a foreclosed home, though, there are some things you need to know before taking the plunge.

Why Millions Won’t Be Able to Afford Cars in the Future

By 2025, the government will require an average fuel economy of 54.5 m.p.g. for cars and trucks sold in the U.S. To meet that requirement, automakers must focus on more efficient, technologically sophisticated cars that cost more upfront to build — and whose costs are ultimately passed along to consumers. How much more will these [...]

When New Cars Are Cheaper Than Used Cars

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Now, and for some time to come, anyone looking for a deal on a slightly used car is out of luck.

Buying a New Car? Let a Website Handle the Haggling

What if you could eliminate much of the distasteful back-and-forth and just get the car you want, at a price you know is fair? TrueCar.com, a free web service that gives car buyers trustworthy estimates for a dealer’s actual costs and rounds up guaranteed price offers from several dealerships, aims to put an end to some of the games.

Cheapskate Wisdom … About Why Auto Dealers Shouldn’t Be Exempt from Financial Reform

“It’s like creating the F.D.A. and then denying it authority over pain relievers.”

$8,604

That’s what the average U.S. household spends annually on transportation, the bulk of it in the form of automobiles—purchase price, fuel, insurance, finance charges, repairs and maintenance, but not factoring in depreciation. For a lot of Americans, more than 20% of their take-home income heads right back out of their homes and into their car [...]

False Economy: Think You’re Saving Money? Think Again

You assume you’re being a savvy consumer by doing things like using coupons, getting free shipping with online purchases, and shopping in stores with no-hassle return policies. But are you really being taken for a sucker?