Researching Car Choices

You face a dizzying choice of cars, new and used. Today’s auto marketplace ranges from subcompact cars to full-sized sedans to minivans, SUVs and pickup trucks, at price points ranging from around $10,000 to almost $100,000.

The Internet is revolutionizing car shopping, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. You don’t need to visit a dealership until you have compared manufacturers, their models, even specific trim lines — specific variations available on each model — on your computer. Most auto makers’ websites let you look at car interiors, review detailed specifications and compare their products’ features with those on competitors’ models.

Car rankings are another useful way to assess the market. Many independent organizations review, rate and compare cars in online buyers guides. You can find detailed reviews at www.edmunds.com and www.kiplinger.com/guides/cars/, and from JD Power and Associates, at www.jdpower.com. Many car magazines also publish car reviews and rankings, as does Consumer Reports magazine.