The Best Vehicle for Carpooling With Kids
Whether you're carrying toddlers or teens, knowing the features and options you'll need at each stage will help you choose the right car.
Tracking Your Teen
The latest technology to keep tabs on your kids will help you sleep at night.
Driving Pregnant
Airbags and seatbelts are there to protect you, but protecting your unborn child may require changes in the way you sit behind the wheel.
What Should We Do About Grandma's Driving?
As the elderly population grows, so do the dangers they pose on the roads. Our comprehensive senior driving series explores innovative approaches to help seniors drive more safely and discusses if — and how — to take away the keys.
Top 10 Features Every Minivan Should Have
Some minivans are more practical than others. We feature 10 recent innovations (plus some bonus goodies) that you won't find everywhere.
Best Cars for Kids in Car Seats
If your family is growing, you know how hard it can be to work with kids and car seats. Make it easier for all of you by buying the right car in the first place.
Family Road Trip Must-Haves
Traveling for the holidays? We've got the be-all, end-all list of what you need to make it a pleasant journey.
Negotiating 101
Children are born negotiators. So why do we lose our taste for it by the time we reach adulthood? Find out how to reclaim your haggling instinct.
Car Lot Lingo: Talk the Talk
Feel like the car salesmen are speaking a different language? Actually, they are. Here's a list of words and phrases commonly heard on the car lot, so that you can get fluent in salesman code.
What Fees Should You Pay?
One of the trickiest parts of a car deal is the fees. We explain the different fees, and our state-by-state chart shows what to expect so you don't overpay.
Top 10 Tips for Good Auto Repair Service
Women are responsible for 65 percent of all auto repair and maintenance service. Here's what to know before you take your car in.
Tough Leasing Questions Answered
The questions don't end once you lease a car. Can you get out of your lease? Is the buyout price negotiable? These and other questions answered.
Women's Car Care Classes
Car maintenance classes for women help save money and can demystify your next trip to the shop.
Used Car Best Bets
Buying a used car is the best way to save money, but how do you know which ones will hold up the best? The winners of our Used Car Best Bets award are reliable, safe and available.
New or Used? Buy or Lease?
It all comes down to this question: What do the numbers say? Our advice editor takes you through the three most common car-ownership scenarios.
How to Get a Used Car Bargain
Part One of this three-part series shows you how to identify target cars and arrange financing. Part Two discusses how to locate and evaluate prospective candidates. The final article teaches you how to negotiate and close the deal successfully.
Why We Buy Hybrids
Think people buy hybrids to save gas? There are plenty of other motivations, only some of which involve saving money.
Diesel, Gas or Hybrid?
The auto industry is pushing all three technologies, but Americans aren't so sure. Where does that leave you, the consumer?
Women Take Bonneville by (Ethanol) Storm
Three female GM engineering interns tune a Cobalt SS using ethanol to set new land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. It's hardly your typical college internship.
Top 10 Tips for Improving Your Fuel Economy
You don't have to buy a hybrid or diesel to get better fuel economy. Follow these tips and you'll get the best possible MPG out of your car.
The Latest Auto Safety Technology
You'll soon see these recent safety advances in showrooms. If successful, these features will likely spread to other models — and one day become as common as seatbelts and airbags.
New Law To Prevent Kids' Backover Deaths
If you can't see properly behind your vehicle, tragedy can result, as hundreds of parents can attest. The recently passed Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act requires better rear visibility and other vehicle changes to protect children and pets.
New Porsche Performance Course for Women
With equal parts fun and safety, Porsche taps into your inner racecar driver while teaching critical handling skills. Vroom!
Should School Buses Have Seatbelts?
The answer may seem like an obvious "yes," but there's more to it. Even the federal government isn't sure.
How To Crash-Proof Your Teen Driver
The most dangerous activity most teens engage in is simply driving. Our new five-part Teen Driver Safety Series examines why thousands of teens are dying in crashes and offers a variety of practical solutions to keep them safe.
Top 10 Safety Technologies
Technology can save your skin. We look at 10 car safety technologies you should consider for your next car.
Are Small Cars as Safe as Large Cars?
When you're looking for fuel efficiency, you're probably looking to smaller cars. But are they as safe as the gas guzzlers? It depends on how you drive.
Tips and Techniques for Driving in Rain
Using wet-weather driving techniques will keep you from waiting for a tow truck in the rain. And they could save your life.
A Quick Guide to Recalls
What's the difference between a recall and other types of bulletins? What are the recalls on your car, and can you get them fixed for free? Find out here.
What real people are saying about the 2009 Kia Spectra EX
4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Review: "Our son crashed the family Ford Explorer. Used cars were high-priced. We decided to buy a Kia Spectra EX four-door sedan for about $1,500 more than it would have cost to get a 2005 used Explorer... Great gas mileage (averages over 28 mpg in mixed driving), peppy pick up, smooth ride, plenty of cupholders. The car came loaded with options — AC, automatic headlights, extra 12-volt chargers and even an iPod port. Safety ratings on this car rival those of Toyota and Honda and exceed those of the Ford Focus. All for about $14,000 including delivery, tax and license fees. I love it!"
Favorite Features: "The automatic lights are great — the battery doesn't die if you forget to turn off the headlights. I also really enjoy the smooth ride and quick acceleration onto the highway. Since I commute 30 miles each way, I also appreciate the comfortable and readily adjustable seats."
Suggested Improvements: "I'd like antilock brakes standard. But there are many pros and cons in this area, with lots of experts saying you have more control without ABS. So only time will tell." — Mary
Review: "Our son crashed the family Ford Explorer. Used cars were high-priced. We decided to buy a Kia Spectra EX four-door sedan for about $1,500 more than it would have cost to get a 2005 used Explorer... Great gas mileage (averages over 28 mpg in mixed driving), peppy pick up, smooth ride, plenty of cupholders. The car came loaded with options — AC, automatic headlights, extra 12-volt chargers and even an iPod port. Safety ratings on this car rival those of Toyota and Honda and exceed those of the Ford Focus. All for about $14,000 including delivery, tax and license fees. I love it!"
