The Lowest Priced New Car in the U.S.

It's nice to know that there are affordable car prices for any budget. With an MSRP of only $9,990, the 2009 Nissan Versa 1.6 Base is currently the lowest priced new vehicle available in the U.S. The Versa is a subcompact car that offers a comfortable interior, good fuel economy and decent performance.

The 2009 Versa is available as a hatchback or sedan in two trim levels, S and SL. The 1.6 Base has a 107-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and a standard 5-speed manual transmission. The estimated fuel economy for the 1.6 Base is 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

The Versa 1.6 Base is also an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV). A ULEV is a vehicle that has been verified by the Air Resources Board of California to emit 50% less polluting emissions than the average new vehicle released in that year.

Standard features on the 1.6 Base include ABS, front side and curtain side airbags, 14" wheel covers, front-seat Active Head Restraints and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). An ABS Package is available as an option for another $250.

Each Nissan vehicle is backed by a 36-month/36,000-mile limited vehicle coverage and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage.

The Best Time to Buy a New Car

There are certain times during the year that are best for finding discounts on new car prices if you are looking for every possible advantage. These aren't guarantees though, you will still need to be prepared to negotiate.

Special promotions: Special incentives and rebates are sometimes offered on holidays and long weekends. Keep an eye out for these special new car deals that may be advertised in local newspapers, in TV commercials and online. Business can also be slow for dealers on holidays so they may be more willing to bargain at those times. End of the year: the end of the calendar year is a good time to get a discount on a new car because the dealers want to get those vehicles sold and end the year with strong sales. The downside is that the vehicles value will depreciate faster because it will already be 1 year old. If you are planning to keep the car long term then that doesn't matter as much. End of the month: Most dealers have monthly quotas that they try to meet. You may be able to get a better new car pricing by going in on the last few days of the month. If they haven't met their quota yet, they may give you a good deal just to get the sale. This is a good time to play hardball. End of model year: When the next years models arrive on the market, the dealers want to get the leftover previous year models out, so the price goes down. Be aware that the selection might be more limited.

New Car Dealers Struggle with the Economy

The U.S. economy is bad for everyone right now, including new car dealers. Car dealerships are experiencing lower sales and some are going out of business completely. Bill Heard Enterprises have closed all of their locations. The bailout plan should help but it will still take a long time for the auto industry and everyone else to recover.

How does this affect the new car consumer? This can be used as an advantage for those with good credit who can afford to buy a new car. The cost of buying a new car from a dealer is going to be lower. With fewer people buying, many car dealers will be lowering their prices and offering more incentives in order to get much needed sales.

For those with bad credit, getting car loan approvals will be harder and the requirements will be stricter. It's important to find out what your credit rating is. Check with a loan provider to see what the new requirements are before going to the dealer. Make sure you can afford it, calculate all of the costs involved. The cost of buying the new vehicle from the dealer, insurance costs, inflated gas prices, regular maintenance, etc.

Top five Most Fuel-Efficient Pickups 2008

For those thinking about buying a fuel-efficient pickup here's a nice list released by Fox News.

A vehicle that once was one of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. and seen as sign of economical power among Americans has fallen out of favor due to the high prices of gas.

Still, many people need them for what they were created to do: haul things. There are those who still need a good, reliable pickup truck and are not yet ready to trade the one they own or, better yet, they won't hesitate on buying another one when the time to retire their faithful hauling mate arrives.

So, if you really need to buy one of these gas-guzzling vehicles, which are to be considered as viable options?

To help answer that question in these hard times Fox News has just released a list of the top five most fuel-efficient pickups.

At number five, and with a very roomy interior, the 2008 Dodge Dakota happens to be the largest truck on the list. Fox News mentions the truck's "standard 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 delivers 210 horsepower while managing an EPA rating of 16 mpg city/20 highway with a 6-speed manual transmission." Even though you can carry 1,710 pounds of people and stuff on board, this truck's catch is its price: $21,160, the most expensive on this list.

The 2008 Chevy Colorado is tied at number four with the 2008 GMC Canyon. Rated by the EPA at 18 mpg city/24 highway, these trucks are 20 percent more efficient than their full-sized counterparts. Their 190-horsepower 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine produces the same mileage whether it drives the wheels through a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Both these trucks are priced at $14,885.

Number three belongs to the 2008 Nissan Frontier, which despite having a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder that makes just 152 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque, can tow the biggest trailer on the list, 3,500 pounds. Even though this truck can only handle a payload of 970 pounds at 19 mpg city/23 highway, at least you'll be able to take it for a long ride. Suggested retail price: $16,530

The 2008 Toyota Tacoma's manual version is number two thanks to its 159-horsepower 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine that churns out 20 mpg city/25 highway. Its tow capacity is the same as the Nissan's Frontier, but its price is quite cheaper at just $14,965.

And first place belongs to the 2008 Ford Ranger due to the fact that it goes farther on a gallon of gas than any of the haulers on this list. Even though the Mazda B2300 also gets 21 mpg city/26 highway, the Ranger took first place due to the fact that, priced at just $14,330, it is the cheapest pickup on the market.

Mazda MX-5 Miata 2008: The Top Fun-to-drive Car

The Mazda MX-5 Miata has an engine that lets you fly like the wind while retaining full control, but it's the balanced handling, quick and precise steering, and crisp-shifting six-speed manual transmission, what Consumer Reports pointed out when picking the Miata as the top fun-to-drive car.

Mazda MX-5 Miata Price

The fact that even though it virtually tied the Porsche Boxster in the test scoring, the Miata won the top pick over the German-manufactured car because it costs around $27,000, nearly half the price. Of course the fact that the car has very good handling and response and that its safety features include anti-lock brakes also helped.

Mazda MX-5 Miata Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price range:  $20,635 - $27,110

Mazda MX-5 Fuel Efficiency

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the five-speed manual MX-5 to net 22 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway, while the six-speed manual gets 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg making it a very fuel efficient and a viable commuter option.

Mazda MX-5 Safety Rating

The Miata features a wide array of active and passive safety equipment, and does well in crash tests, earning four of five stars according to safercar.gov.

Despite the Miata's somewhat cramped accommodations, its exquisite performance, excellent interior fit and the quality finish make it a joy to drive.

Models and Prices of the Top 10 Green Cars of 2008

The Los Angeles Times has published the ranking of the top 10 green cars as listed by the Kelly Blue Book.

To decide the top environmentally friendly rides the vehicles were judged on factors such as comfort, utility, technology and performance as well as the obvious fuel economy and price.

The 2008 Mini Cooper was 5th on the list. This is fuel efficient vehicle offer one of the most distinctive designs on the road making it a smart choice for people looking to reduce fuel costs and drive a fun, stylish car. Suggested retail price: $18,050.

The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, which was 4th, uses hybrid technology licensed from Toyota to combine impressive fuel economy with a sporty character, making it one of the most fun-to-drive midsize sedans. Suggested retail price: $25,480.

In the 3rd place we find the 2008 Smart fortwo, a hybrid that in terms of its fuel economy the smart fortwo is without equal. Cool, cute, and economical, the fortwo is the future of transportation. Another plus: It can fit nearly anywhere, thanks to its tight cornering and small size. Suggested retail price: $11,590

Second place belongs to the 2008 Honda Civic hybrid. This car will burn around 30 percent less gasoline than his or her voltage-deficient counterpart. Its power train uses gasoline-electric technology and its battery recharges itself. Suggested retail price: $22,600.

The 2008 Toyota Prius, which occupies the first spot, combines exceptional average fuel economy of 46 mpg, seating for five and optional goodies like a rearview camera and navigation. Its innovative, environmental technologies make the Prius the most efficient and practical alternative to conventionally powered vehicles. Suggested retail price: $21,500.

Here are the other five cars that round-up this top-ten list:

6.    2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
7.    2008 Honda Fit
8.    2008 Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTec
9.    2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
10.   2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

Mini Cooper is the Car with Highest Resale Value of the Year

The Mini Cooper leads this year list of cars with the highest resale value according to a ranking released by Forbes Magazine.

The Mini Cooper sits atop the list thanks to its fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine that consumes 28 miles of fuel per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, brand reputation and desirability. According to Forbes the fact that the Mini Cooper makes its owners feel like members of a special club coupled with the car's performance, safety and efficiency, keeps customers engaged for a longer period of time.

The models on Forbes’ list retain a higher percentage of their original purchase price than any other car you can buy and none of them will give up more than 15 percent of their purchase price per year through their first three years.

The dominance of the Mini Cooper can also be explained by the fact that basically, fuel efficient vehicles are gaining value and non-fuel-efficient vehicles are losing value.

The Mini Cooper is one of the most fuel-efficient models on sale in the United States and because of that it will hold more than 60 percent of its value after three years of ownership.

The Infiniti G37 Coupe ranked second and the BMW 1 series came up third while the Jeep Wrangler and the Volkswagen R32 rounded up the top five.

Check the full list at Forbes Magazine.

The Price of Small Cars is on the Rise

According to auto executives, more cylinders and horsepower are not as alluring as they were last year. And as buyers turn away from SUVs and trucks, they are turning the smaller car market on its head.

Although buyers are scaling back on vehicle size, they are shelling out more for nicer features. The Wall Street Journal reported recently that the purchase price of small cars is up about $2,000 - $3,000. The reason-more buyers are deciding to conserve on gas spending, but are now stocking their small cars with more luxurious features.

Models like the Ford Focus are selling twice as many high-end versions than expected, and the number of four-cylinder Pontiac G6's has almost doubled. Meanwhile, the number of buyers opting for moonroofs, leather and remote control starters is skyrocketing. At least all the anticipated gas savings is helping buyers feel more comfortable springing for some extra luxuries. I'd rather spend my money for a Sync system vs. the Shell station any day.

If you can afford it, now is a great time to buy that new vehicle

There are many ways to look at what's happening in our country as the fuel crisis hits its peak, and a tough economy has prompted more vehicles to sit on lots than be sold.

One way is what a lot of us are doing - tightening our belts and making only those car trips that are absolutely necessary. But another way to look at it is that this is a buyer's market.

With dealerships desperately trying to move units off the lots, now is really a great time to be a discriminating buyer and take advantage of all the good deals being offered.

One tip, as recently described in a story on MSNBC about grabbing good vehicle deals, is to look for cars or trucks that have been redesigned, then go after the same vehicle from the previous model year.

Another good tip is to buy your vehicle at the end of the month, when most dealers are trying to reach their month's-end quota. If you can afford to, now might just be the best time to buy that car or truck.

Competition is what will make hybrids affordable to U.S. buyers

As American automakers move at warp speed to develop efficient, yet affordable hybrid vehicles, it's you - the consumer - who might benefit most from their high stakes game of cat and mouse.

Car manufacturers have historically used "Green" to describe "quarterly sales". But now, the same word means vehicle buyers are shopping around for new cars that won't rob them blind at the pumps.

Suddenly, there are auto execs with newly created "Green titles" on their doors, charged with the task of developing (not only) strategies to pull in buyers, but spawn public trust in what their companies are selling, too. And its competition that will eventually keep costs affordable for hybrid buyers as the "Green phenomena" hits its peak in this country.

Not so in China, where there's no competition for automakers Toyota and Honda to contend with. It's driving the purchase price of hybrids through the roof - upwards of $40,000 - as told in a recent Wall Street Journal story.

So, be thankful for competition between U.S. auto makers. It looks like the one thing that'll keep hybrid prices within reach. At least for now...