Tuesday Sep 29, 2009
Jonathan Welsh answers readers' car questions.
Monday Jun 1, 2009
As many car dealers are going out of business, it's up to the consumer to follow up with purchases and make sure they don't get burned.
Monday Apr 27, 2009
The news keeps getting worse for the automaking industry as car makers are now preparing to deal with inventory loan defaults from dealerships nationwide.
Monday Jan 19, 2009
Within hours of being approved for government funding, the leading car lending relaxed its loan requirements, unlike big banks still wary of lending months later. The market is open to a majority of consumers and now is a good time to take the reigns in auto-buying.
Thursday Jan 1, 2009
Ron Amadon has tested a slew of cars and here gives his selection of the best vehicles he drove in 2008.
Thursday Dec 18, 2008
Banks were much harder hit in the financial crisis than credit unions, giving credit unions a unique opportunity to step in with auto loans. Access to loans has been dwindling across the board, and struggling auto makers need all the help they can get right now.
Monday Dec 15, 2008
The big three auto makers are struggling, and the Treasury has offered TARP funds to keep them afloat for now. But what will be a long term fix for them?
Saturday Nov 22, 2008
Here are six points from experts on how to get the best deal on a car right now.
Wednesday Nov 5, 2008
If you can afford to buy a car in this economy, then you're in a great position right now. Here are some tips for consumers looking to buy a car.
Wednesday Oct 29, 2008
Jennifer Openshaw offers up three places to look for finding bargains right now.
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Year Fixed | 4.62%  |
4.67% |
| 30 Year Fixed | 5.15% | 5.15% |
| 1 Year ARM | 3.48% |
3.51% |
| 5/1 Year ARM | 3.62% |
3.68% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Line of Credit | 4.89%  |
4.88% |
| 10 Year Loan | 7.47% | 7.47% |
| 15 Year Loan | 7.61% |
7.60% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Checking | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Money Market/Savings | 0.38% | 0.38% |
| 12 Month CD | 1.13%  |
1.15% |
| 60 Month IRA CD | 2.40% |
2.41% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Back Cards | 12.66% |
12.68% |
| No Annual Fee Cards | 12.08% |
11.97% |
| Reward Cards | 12.75% |
12.61% |
| Small Business Cards | 11.01% |
10.94% |
| Student Cards | 13.77% |
13.49% |
| Platinum Cards | 12.26% |
12.11% |
For the "ride of your life" (well, it used to be in the '80s before the road was straightened) do the "Hog's Back" -- Escalante to Bolder on Utah Route 12. I did it in a top down Jeep CJ5. You climb up on a ridge & the left side of the 2 (1-1/2 with ***no*** shoulder) lane road drops off 300 feet, then, just as you get used to that sheer drop, the right side drops off 1000 feet & you get serious vertigo. (A UT highway employee suggested the route, saying only that it was "quite scenic!" Scenic, heck, I've had less scenic rides jumping out of C141s!) Also, *definitely* stay at the lodge at Bryce Canyon National Park & go out & ride the mules through the hoodoos. (The mules are quite gentle & are retired from the Grand Canyon crowd. They kinda lose their sense of balance when they get old & falling off a Mule with a 10' drop is much kinder than falling off of a Mule with a 1000' drop! So the young ones are at the GC & the old ones are at Bryce & Zion.) The ride through Capitol Reef National Park is just as "scenic" but without the vertigo. It is also the most *desolate* area in the USA that I have ever seen, especially the from the park east to Hanksville. There is a "whole lotta nuttin" out there, so gas up & have an emercency kit *before* leaving on that drive. Enjoy. David Ecale