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January 2008
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Cars: Online resources
It's easy to research all aspects of buying a vehicle in a few hours on the Internet. To help, we've put together this list of major providers of auto information and services. While Consumer Reports has not rated and doesn't endorse sites listed here, they're included for your convenience. All Web addresses begin with "www."


CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG

Site subscribers get unlimited access to our extensive archives, including full road tests, as well as an interactive vehicle selector for new and used cars. The free area of our Autos section provides an array of articles, ranging from the latest trends and technology to in-depth expert advice on buying, leasing, safety, and more.

CR New Car and Used Car Price Reports, with model-specific information, are designed to help you get the best deal on your vehicle purchase, and can be ordered online.

The CR and Used Car Buying Kits gives consumers the tools to choose the right vehicle based on their own needs and preferences. Compare models side by side, go behind the ratings to read our engineer's assessments, and customize each vehicle with the options and packages that mean the most to you. You get unlimited pricing information for three months when you sign up.


PRICING: NEW & USED CARS

Look here for new-car retail prices and used-car values. Some sites also provide dealer invoice prices and incentives.

AutoSite    autosite.com
Edmunds    edmunds.com
IntelliChoice    intellichoice.com
Kelley Blue Book    kbb.com
National Automobile Dealers Association    nada.com
VMR (used cars only)    vmrintl.com


VEHICLE REVIEWS & COMPARISONS

Different sources have varying points of view. Read a range.

Automobile    automobilemag.com
AutoWeek    autoweek.com
Car and Driver    caranddriver.com
Epinions    epinions.com
Motor Trend    motortrend.com
MSN Autos    autos.msn.com
New Car Test Drive    nctd.com
Road & Track    roadandtrack.com
Truck Trend    trucktrend.com


NEW & USED-CAR BUYING & SELLING

Some sites can provide prices for specific models and put you in touch with participating dealers. Other sites have online classified ads that allow you to search over as broad an area as you like.

Autobytel    autobytel.com
Auto Trader    autotrader.com
Autoweb    autoweb.com
CarBargains checkbook.org
Car.com    car.com
Cars.com    cars.com
CarsDirect carsdirect.com
DealerNet    dealernet.com
ebayMotors    ebaymotors.com
InvoiceDealers invoicedealers.com
MSN Autos autos.msn.com
Usedcars.com   usedcars.com
Vehix.com vehix.com


LEASING DEALS & INFORMATION

Automotive Lease Guide    alg.com
Federal Reserve Board   federalreserve.gov/pubs/leasing
IntelliChoice    intellichoice.com
LeaseSource    leasesource.com


AUTO LOAN RATES & LENDERS

Bank Rate Monitor  bankrate.com
Capital One Auto Finance capitaloneautofinance.com
E-Loan    eloan.com
LendingTree    lendingtree.com
VirtualBank    virtualbank.com


CREDIT REPORTS

Annual Credit Report    annualcreditreport.com
Equifax    equifax.com
Experian    experian.com
FICO    myfico.com
My Credit    mycreditfile.com
Trans Union    transunion.com

MAINTENANCE/OWNERSHIP COSTS

IntelliChoice    intellichoice.com
Edmunds edmunds.com

SAFETY/CRASH-TEST RESULTS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety    hwysafety.org
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration    nhtsa.dot.gov
NHTSA crash tests/rollover ratings safercar.gov

VEHICLE HISTORY REPORTS

Carfax    carfax.com
DMV    dmv.org
Experian    autocheck.com


FUEL ECONOMY/EMISSIONS

Federal fuel-economy estimates    fueleconomy.gov
EPA Green Vehicle Guide    epa.gov/greenvehicles


AUTOMAKER WEBSITES

Acura    acura.com
Audi    audiusa.com
BMW    bmwusa.com
Buick    buick.com
Cadillac    cadillac.com
Chevrolet    chevrolet.com
Chrysler    chrysler.com
Dodge    dodge.com
Ford    fordvehicles.com
GMC    gmc.com
Honda    hondacars.com
Hummer hummer.com
Hyundai    hyundaiusa.com
Infiniti    infiniti.com
Isuzu    isuzu.com
Jaguar   jaguar.com
Jeep    jeep.com
Kia    kia.com
Land Rover    landrover.com
Lexus    lexus.com
Lincoln    lincolnvehicles.com
Lotus lotuscars.com
Mazda    mazdausa.com
Mercedes-Benz    mbusa.com
Mercury    mercuryvehicles.com
Mini   miniusa.com
Mitsubishi    mitsubishicars.com
Nissan    nissanusa.com
Pontiac    pontiac.com
Porsche   us.porsche.com
Saab    saabusa.com
Saturn    saturn.com
Scion   scion.com
Subaru    subaru.com
Suzuki    suzukiauto.com
Toyota    toyota.com
Volkswagen    vw.com
Volvo    volvocars.com


DOS & DON'TS OF ONLINE SHOPPING

Do:

Shop for more than one price quote. Get competing bids from more than one car-buying service. Also check used-car prices from more than one price service.

Shop for more than one vehicle. There are usually several comparable competitors. Changing market conditions may make one or another a better deal.

Keep your options open. Often, you'll wind up buying a vehicle from a dealer's inventory. If you don't find the exact features you had in mind, stay flexible.

Use e-mail and the phone. Gather all the information you can by phone or e-mail before venturing to the dealer lots. Keep records. Print out any spec sheets and price quotations you obtain.

Be specific. Ask for precise information, including all the vehicle's features and options. Get the final, out-the-door price. Ask for the exact date when the vehicle can be seen, inspected by you, and delivered into your hands.

Keep notes. Write down the name and date of the people you contact at any car-buying service or dealership. Make sure the vehicle is really the one you asked for. Sometimes dealers tell you they have exactly the car you've specified when what they really have is something more or less close.

Ask for the vehicle's VIN number. This will tell you if the salesman is giving you a price for a specific vehicle on his lot. If he can't supply it over the phone, assume the car isn't at the dealership.

Don't:
Don't be rushed. Don't leap at the first "good deal'' you see. Take your time and check all details carefully. There will always be another good deal.

Don't forget local dealers. They may beat any price you dig up on the Internet.

Don't buy sight unseen. Make a personal, up-close examination of the vehicle before agreeing to take delivery.

Don't pay for dealer extras you don't need. These can include rust proofing, extended-service warranties, paint sealant, and fabric protection.