Edmunds.com, purportedly “where smart car buyers start,” has a giant database of cars, including reviews, pricing, and specs. The site provides information on new and used cars, as well as advice on how to shop for and how to finance cars. Best of all, it can offer your searches tailored to your location!

Consumer Reports is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to rating consumer goods. Its website has a solid section on cars. Unfortunately, the most helpful offering – expert ratings – is available to subscribers only. But this site is still worth a look; there are many informative articles freely available.

Car Talk is a radio show about cars, but if you can’t catch the show, I highly recommend checking out the wealth of resources on their site. Look specifically at their “Actual Car Info” section for tips on buying, selling and more.

Car and Driver offers car news and brief online reviews of many makes and models. Best of all – no subscription necessary. If you don’t want to shell out the bucks for a Consumer Reports subscription, check here for a starting point on your car search.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has it’s own Car Buyer’s Guide. The guide is actually an extensive resource covering:

• Kiplinger’s rankings of new and used cars
• Tips on test-driving, negotiating, and getting car loans
• Information on mileage and features

Some of the articles have previously been published in the magazine or on the website, but now they reside with new content in one convenient location.

Bankrate.com has a section dedicated to auto loans. You can search for low rates, learn how to shop for the best loan, and read articles on making car ownership more economic.

Any other tips for research cars? I can also add forums dedicated to that car model, Cars.com, Motor Trend and more, as well as fellow blogs about cars. Ultimately, pick a car that fits your needs, driving style and budget.

Car Brands Offering Free Maintenance

BMW

BMW calls its maintenance plan “BMW Ultimate Service” which goes for the first 4 years of ownership, or the first 50,000 miles. Here is some info about the plan (from the BMW website):

• BMW Maintenance Program: One of the most comprehensive maintenance programs in its class covering all factory-recommended maintenance, oil service and fluid service, as well as items that need replacement due to normal wear and tear – such as brake pads, brake rotors and wiper blade inserts.
• Four years of the BMW Assist™ Safety Plan: Many 2007 and later models include a four-year, unlimited mileage subscription to the BMW Assist™ Safety Plan including TeleService, an exclusive BMW benefit which allows your vehicle to contact your BMW center directly when it needs service or maintenance.
• Unlimited-Mileage Roadside Assistance: Receive Roadside Assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the first four years of ownership, without any mileage limitation.
• New Vehicle Limited Warranty: Your warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship for the first four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, so you can rest assured your BMW will perform as expected.

MINI

MINI is owned by BMW, and benefits from its parentage by also getting a free maintenance program. Unfortunately for MINI owners, the plan isn’t as generous as BMW’s, but it does cover  3 years or 36,000 miles. We have a MINI and can attest that the plan is transferable if you sell the car. We bought our MINI with 30,000 and were able to take it in for the regular checkups and oil change, etc.

You also have the option to extend the maintenance plan, but at an additional cost. Talk to a MINI service technician to find out how much it would cost. As a note, the cost does differ depending on whether the car is under or over the 36,000 miles when you buy the extended plan.

Land Rover (2008 Models Only)

While Land Rover was recently sold by Ford to an Indian automaker, they still offer the no-charge maintenance program for 2008 models for 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Land Rover says it’s not changing the prices for the 2009 models, but they are dropping free maintenance to save themselves some money. Personally, if there was any vehicle I would want free maintenance on, it would be a Land Rover, but at least you have their warranty coverage.

Saab

Surprise!  Saab provides free maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles. I bet you didn’t know that, did you? This goes for 2007-2009 models (so far), but it could change at any time in today’s economy.

Another perk for Saab owners is free OnStar for the first year. If those scary radio commercials that play real-life accident recordings don’t scare you into getting OnStar, then I don’t know what will.

Volvo (2009 Models Only)

New to the mix for 2009 is Volvo, which is providing free maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles.

Volkswagen (2009 Models Only)

Yep, VW has also recently added free maintenance to its 2009 models. The plan covers 3 years or 36,000 miles, and having owned a VW Passat myself, I know how expensive even the most minor maintenance items can be on a VW. They wanted $40 for a wiper blade! Just one wiper blade! And you can’t find many VW parts at your local auto supply shop either. That’s when we decided to sell the VW…over a measly wiper blade.

Who Doesn’t Offer Free Maintenance?

You’ll notice that a few major luxury makers don’t offer free maintenance. Some previously offered free maintenance, but have recently discontinued those plans. Also, you might run into some dealerships providing “free maintenance plans”, but it’s either just for that dealership, or they include the cost elsewhere on the bill of sale.

• Mercedes Benz – I’m very suprised that MB doesn’t offer free maintenance
• Acura – I’ve owned an Acura TL-S, and maintenance costs weren’t too bad, but having those costs paid by the manufacturer would be nice
• Audi – You can buy their Audi Care package for $650, which covers about 5 years or 45,000 miles. Why does VW get free maintenance, but not Audi?
• Jaguar – now owned by the same company as Land Rover (Tata, an Indian motor company)
• Lexus
• Infiniti
• Lincoln
• Cadillac

While automakers factor in costs like maintenance in their overall pricing plans, that little perk is enough to make many buyers choose a BMW over an Acura or Benz. The American automakers could make a believable attempt at stealing market share from the Japanese and Europeans by offering free maintenance too.

As a buyer, you need to also do the math on both the initial cost of the car as well as ownership costs such as maintenance and repairs. If you can get an Acura TSX for $5,000 less than a BMW 328i, then I think that’s a good deal. You won’t spend $5,000 on brakes and oil changes over 5 years. But buying is both mathematical and emotional, so choose wisely.

Getting a Discount on a Compact Car

While I must admit that your results will vary depending on your location and market, generally all small cars, such as the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Mazda3 and even domestics like the Chevy Aveo and the Korean Hyundai Accent are selling for MSRP. At best, but still possible, you can negotiate down close to dealer invoice on these vehicles, but again it really depends on your market.

For example, if you’re looking for a Mazda3 sedan or hatchback, you’ll have more luck in an area like mine where there are 4-5 nearby Mazda dealerships than in Nowhere, Pennsylvania where the closest dealer is 30 miles away. I can pit the salesman against each other because they know I can more easily travel to the competitor.

Best Bet for Getting Discount

Other than going for an outgoing model year, your best bet on getting a discount on a highly sought-after car is to shop via the internet. These days almost every car dealer has an “Internet Sales Department” that negotiates vehicle prices via email. It’s a win-win because the dealer can negotiate with dozens of customers at once and YOU can collect prices from multiple dealers and on multiple cars. You don’t need to visit 4 Mazda dealers, and if you wanted to test out a VW Rabbit too, then just shoot an email to the local Volkswagen internet sales department.

You do all the research and negotiations from the comfort of your couch, kitchen table or toilet (hey, I’m not knocking how you browse!).

Checking Realistic Auto Prices

There are dozens of sites and services out there that are dedicated to helping you, the auto buyer, get the lowest price in the fastest and easiest way possible, but many require you to pay them first, or be a member of Costco/Sam’s Club/etc. or the local credit union. If you’re just testing the waters, I suggest checking out the pricing tools at Edmunds.com.

Edmunds provides the ability to price a new vehicle with options and then see what others are paying in your area. One problem with the options picker, though, is that it lists out the options, but some option configurations aren’t available anywhere, or you might pick an option (like heated seats) that is already contained in another option (winter package) and get a misleading price. You do, therefore, need to do a bit of your own research through the manufacturer’s website first to see what options are compatible, then go to Edmunds.

For example, I priced out a 2008 Mazda 3 with A/C, 6-disc changer and fog lights.  Here are the results:

MSRP: $16,210

Invoice: $15,054

TMV (what others are paying): $15,850

So you see that you CAN get a discount, just don’t expect to talk them down to their invoice price. It’s not a buyer’s market all-around; just on the bigger vehicles. And then you need to figure out financing which, in today’s economic climate, might prove more tricky than even negotiating the price! Hopefully you can just pay in cash…

And what makes this worse is that most BMWs, except for the 3 series, remain the exact same in 2009 as they were in 2008. That means you’re simply paying more for the same car just because it has a ’9′ in the model year instead of an ’8′.

2009 BMW Base Prices:

Base MSRP pricing does not include $825 destination:

1 Series

2009 128i Convertible $33,800
2009 135i Convertible $39,900
2009 128i Coupe $29,200
2009 135i Coupe $35,600

3 Series

2009 328i Coupe $36,300
2009 328xi Coupe $38,100
2009 335i Coupe $42,000
2009 335xi Coupe $43,800
2009 M3 Coupe $57,500
2009 328i Sedan $33,400
2009 328xi Sedan $35,300
2009 335i Sedan $40,100
2009 335xi Sedan $42,000
2009 M3 Sedan $54,500
2009 328i Sports Wagon $35,200
2009 328xi Sports Wagon $37,100
2009 328i Convertible $44,300
2009 335i Convertible $50,400
2009 M3 Convertible $66,150

5 Series

2009 535xi Sports Wagon $55,400
2009 528i Sedan $45,500
2009 528xi Sedan $47,700
2009 535i Sedan $50,800
2009 535xi Sedan $53,000
2009 550i Sedan $60,000
2009 M5 Sedan $85,100

6 Series

2009 650i Convertible $84,800
2009 M6 Convertible $107,500
2009 650i Coupe $77,700
2009 M6 Coupe $101,700

X3, X5, X6 SUVs

2009 X3 xDrive30i $39,400
2009 X5 xDrive30i $47,100
2009 X5 xDrive48i $55,800
2009 X6 xDrive35i $55,500
2009 X6 xDrive50i $66,200

Buying that X6 SUV is looking dumber and dumber right now. But that’s only my personal opinion.

Screw BMW. Screw Mercedes. Screw Lexus and Audi. To us mere mortals, we perceive drivers with a shiny new Mercedes E class, or BMW 5-series as either flush with cash, or more likely, carrying long leases with heavy down payments just to barely afford that luxury. While you drive around in your flashy car with your cigar ablaze, I’m stuck in my crummy Honda. Not that I’m bitter or jealous or anything.

But not any longer. Now there’s a new luxury player in town. Are you ready for this? Get ready cause you won’t believe it. It’s the 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan! And it’s even rear-wheel drive!

Stop laughing. I know it’s a Hyundai. But this isn’t like when Volkswagen tried to shove a $60,000-110,000 über-sedan (the Phaeton) into the market, expecting people who buy those kinds of cars to want to mingle with the ones buying $15,000 Jettas. Why is it different? Well first, the Genesis starts at just $32,250. Want a V-8 engine? Tack on another $5k. That’s still half the price of the Phaeton (VW had to bump up the price into the $80ks to make up for currency exchange and other costs).

While I won’t try to compare the Genesis to the Phaeton in the build quality, features, size or engine power, after taking the 2009 Hyundai Genesis on a short drive at a local dealership, I can say the Genesis surely matches the European competitors. But the Genesis can’t be compared directly with either the Mercedes E class or the BMW 5-series.

The BMW is sporty, while the Merc is luxurious. The Genesis falls in between the two. It has a more rigid frame than the 5-series and more interior volume than even the BMW 7-series. And it’s loaded with features.

Hyundai Genesis Standard Features

As is customary with Hyundai, the car comes replete with all the standard safety features like traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, and a gazillion airbags. And Hyundai even threw in things like brake assist and “electronic brake-force distribution”.

In addition to safety, and the Hyundai five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage, the Hyundai comes with the following standard features:

• Bluetooth hands-free phone system
• Electrochromic rear-view mirror with a universal Homelink opener and compass
• Dual zone temperature control
• Six-speed CVT transmission
• iPod/USB/aux inputs (in the center console, not tucked in the glove compartment)
• Leather seats (it wouldn’t be luxury without them)
• Heated front seats
• Steering wheel audio controls
• Auto down AND up window controls for both front windows. Why can’t all cars have this?

But what lets me place it in the same category as BMW and Mercedes? Well, other than the styling, which is a mix of a BMW trunk, Merc front-end, and Lexus LS profile (at least in my opinion), the Genesis is dead silent with the doors closed. If I’m going to rate a car as “luxury”, I expect it to be comfortable and quiet. Standing in the dealer lot next to a major city thoroughfare, it was as noisy as an airport. But when I closed the doors and shut the windows, I seriously could not hear a bit of traffic, except maybe a nearby honking horn. I could even hear the ringing in my ears from years of noise damage.

In the short time in the car, I couldn’t find much hard plastic or a poor fit or finish. But I didn’t take much time to stare at all the seams and gaps. Instead, I was enamored by the extra features on my particular test model.

Bring on the Options!

My test model was the 3.8L V-6 (the V-8 isn’t out at the time of this writing), with the Technology Package. This package also includes the Premium and Premium Plus packages. Here’s what all three packages include:

Premium Package:

• Lexicon® 14-speaker surround sound audio system w/ in-dash 6-disc CD changer
• Leather-wrapped dash and door trim inserts
• Power tilt-and-slide sunroof
• Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Integrated memory system
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Auto-defogging windshield
• Power rear sunshade

Premium Plus Package:

• Everything in the Premium package plus
  • 18-inch Hyper Silver alloy wheels with 235/50R18 tires

and the Technology Package includes:

• Everything in the Premium and Premium Plus packages, plus
  • 528-watt Lexicon® 17-speaker discrete 7.1 premium surround sound audio system with complimentary 1-year subscription to XM Satellite Radio and NavTraffic®
  • Navigation system with 40-gig HD and in-dash 6-disc DVD changer
  • Rear backup camera
  • Driver information system
  • Multimedia controller
  • HID auto-leveling headlights
  • Adaptive Front Lighting System (auto-cornering)
  • Front and rear parking assistance sensors
  • Cooled driver seat

If I were to get the Genesis, without a doubt I would get the Technology Package. While I’m sure the base Genesis is nice, I loved the rear backup camera, stereo (the salesman popped in a hip-hop CD) and of course the navigation system. The Genesis has a wheel to control the Nav system, but unlike BMW and Mercedes, the system is actually user-friendly.

What’s the Top-of-the-Line Price?

While you currently can’t get a final price through Hyundai’s “Build Your Own” website, the dealer was charging an even $40,000 for this top-of-the-line model. That’s still almost $5,000 less than the BMW 528i base price. Want heated seats and 18″ wheels? Bump that BMW price up to over $50,000!

Heck, the Genesis’ base price is the same as the lowest BMW 3-series model, the 328i.

How About the Drive?

I’ll be honest that I just drove around the dealer lot (it was a big lot), but I got to experience a few items of note. First, speed bumps. I did find that although the Genesis has fancy gas shocks, they weren’t tuned to glide over bumps, but the car didn’t shudder or feel out of control.

Next up, big potholes. I really hope the dealer fixes their lot, but I guess it gives people a good chance to really test the ride and handling of their cars. I went through a pothole about 4″ deep at about 10mph. Just like with the speed bump, the car didn’t glide over it, but it wasn’t an unpleasant experience like in “lesser” cars. The suspension wasn’t mushy like in a Buick, but it wasn’t overly firm like in a BMW. I’d say it was like a Lexus. There, I said it. It rides like a Lexus.

I hope to get a shot at a longer drive out on the main roads in the future, but I think I’d be worried I would want the car even more. And I need to stay content with the cars I have (namely a Honda Ridgeline truck and a MINI Cooper). The wife says I’m not allowed to get a new car this year. Dang.

Conclusion

Would you pay $40,000 for a Hyundai? That’s the billion dollar question that the Hyundai executives are also asking, because they’re planning on rolling our more luxury models in the future. But while automakers like Honda and Toyota rename their luxury plates with fancy names like Acura and Lexus, and try to fool us with new sheet metal and interiors on Accords and Camrys, Hyundai is risking their future business on keeping the Hyundai nameplate on all their models.

But you have two types of luxury buyers:

1. Those who want to show off their money (or make it look like they have money) and

2. Those who want to experience luxury, but don’t need to make a statement about it

If you’re in the latter group, the Hyundai Genesis is definitely for you. If you’re in the first group, maybe you should give the Genesis a test drive and see how much you’ve just overspent on your Lexus.

Granted, you’ll use up that $13,000 savings for gas in the first year, but still, if you wanted a luxury towing machine that makes a statement (“I don’t give a crap about the environment or small children in my blindspot”), then go for it!

Well, for laptops, smaller sizes mean less room to put the parts. If you want a 12″ laptop with a 120Gb drive vs a 40 Gb drive, you’re going to pay more than someone buying a 15″ laptop because the factory has to be more creative to find room to put that part. In addition, they need to keep the parts cooled, which is harder when there’s less air-flow.

Why Small Cars aren’t Always Inexpensive

Now let’s compare laptops with cars. If you want a small car that provides decent elbow and hip room, plus 5-star crash ratings, a premium audio system, room for 4-5 passengers plus luggage, a high-powered engine, and luxury car-like quality, then you’re going to pay the price.

Cars that fit into the “econobox” segment, such as the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris, can be had for well under $20,000, but you won’t get everything that you would in a larger, premium car. If you want a sub-compact car that can do 0-60mph in under 5.5 seconds and still take a turn at 80mph without feeling like you’ll fly off the road, then you’ll need to be willing to pony up a few more thousand.

“Premium Economy” Cars

Over the weekend, as my wife and I were driving on the interstate, we saw a Volvo C30 drive by. My wife commented that it was cute (I’m still not sure about that odd rear hatch window thing) and that I could trade in my truck for one only if it averaged 30 miles per gallon. Wanting to see whether the car was worth the trade, I did some research.

First, I found out that the Volvo C30′s competition was more along the lines of the MINI Cooper S, Audi A3, and BMW 1 Series. Hmm, now I know what price range I’m in (NOT under $20,000). The C30 starts just over $22,000, and can exceed $40,000 with all the options and an upgraded engine.

Wow, that’s no Ford Focus! (Volvo is owned by parent company Ford, and the C30 shares many components, including engine, of the European Ford Focus and Mazda3).

So what do you get for $10,000-20,000 more than a Honda Fit? Well, a very fine interior (the “floating console” is pretty sharp), a much more powerful engine (double the horsepower and torque), “European styling”, and more confidence on corners and highway speeds. Oh, and about 10 less miles per gallon on average.

And this comparison goes across the board for most “premium economy” cars. You’re paying at least $10,000 more, but you’re getting the name, look and driving characteristics to match the price. But the question to ask is what do you need? Gas mileage or a small, fun car?

If you’re going after gas mileage, then a MINI Cooper or A3 aren’t the right choice. But if you want a fun little commuter (or everyday) car, and you’re willing to pay more while getting the gas mileage of a regular mid-size sedan, then go for the premium economy segment.

Personally, my wife has a 2005 MINI Cooper and she LOVES it. I can’t imagine her driving anything else (she’s tried). But when you’re sitting in traffic an hour each way to and from work, having the premium feeling around you makes the ride that much better. But we bought it used and saved $8,000 off a comparably equipped brand new MINI Cooper. You can still have luxury at an affordable price if you know how to look.

Having gone through numerous car-buying blunders myself, I have some keen insight into reasons NOT to buy a car. But before I get into reasons not to buy a car, let’s delve a little more into why you think you DO want a new car:

Buying Your First Car

Ok, fair enough. You don’t have a car yet. Let’s also assume you also don’t have the option of mass transit to get you to about 80% of the places you need to go weekly. Otherwise, if you could use mass transit (or just plain walk to work or school), I would recommend using a car sharing service like Zipcar (if available) for shorter drives and renting from someone like Enterprise for longer trips.

Replacing a Wrecked Car

Similar to the previous reason, if you’re out of a car and can’t use mass transit, you have a good reason to get a new car after an accident. But be warned that too many of us take that wad of cash from the insurance company and spend on more car than we really need.

Replacing a Previous Car

This is where things get hairy. In my life, I’ve lost over $14,000 on stupid decisions when trading in an old car for something newer or different. I really didn’t need something else, and I even could have just gotten a used car anyway. Instead, I lost money on negative equity (i.e. the difference between what the dealer gave me and what I owed on the car) and then rolled in that loss to the next car’s financing.

And this is where I hope to help with this site. I’m not here just to tell you about the cars available. I also want to help you determine your motives and your needs.

Too often, we spend more time picking out a $30 shirt than we do when shopping for a $30,000 car. We think we know what we want, but we don’t always think about why we want it.

So before you delve into car research, do a bit of self-examination and figure out whether you really need a new car. It may save you thousands of dollars!