Picking the perfect ride: Five tips to find the best car for you.

"If my van doesn't start, I'm in trouble," says Leanne Kocsis, a working mom whose family of six relies on having a vehicle. It must run reliably, accommodate her family, keep them safe and be fuel efficient. And the loan payments can't rob their savings.


Whether you're a soccer mom or a jet-setter, choosing the right vehicle isn't something to take lightly.

Do your research before you buy. "There are many targeted rebates and monthly programs that come directly from dealers." says Heather Uballe, Director of Operations at SAVE on Cars and Trucks. "Many of these deals expire at the end of each month, so SAVE on Cars and Trucks provides the tools to find the best deals on the car that their looking for."

Savvy shoppers get the most for their money by weighing all the options in advance. Start your search with these factors in mind.

1. Fuel economy

Soaring gas prices increase demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. But, carefully consider whether you drive enough to make fuel economy important. Double-check your math for hybrid vehicles. Unless you're a road warrior, a hybrid's fuel savings may not offset the higher purchase price.

What about electric cars? The technology and infrastructure is still in its infancy, and Thompson and Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends for TrueCar.com, agree that buying now is risky for cost-conscious consumers.

2. Safety

Safety should play a role in every car-buying decision. You can find most crash test ratings at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website at www.iihs.org.

Most new cars come with extensive safety features such as air bags, anti-lock brakes and crumple zones. You can decide whether additional precautions are worth the extra cost.

3. Reliability

Objective research tools such as Consumer Reports offer predictions of reliability based on their own road tests, consumer surveys and other data. Be sure to also check used-car listings. If the vehicle you're considering tends to sell for much less than similar models, that might indicate poor performance. For new cars, reliability reports are generally positive. If reliability is a concern, consider an extended warranty. Extended warranties come in all shapes and sizes, so do your homework.

4. Insurance costs.

Your age, where you live, and how your drive affect your insurance premiums. But your car makes a difference too. You might pay more to insure a vehicle that has been involved in more accidents, causes more damage, costs more to repair or is stolen more frequently than other models.

5. Financing

Don't wait until you're at the dealership to discuss financing. A lower annual percentage rate could save hundreds of dollars over the life of the loan, even if it means passing up a dealership cash rebate.

Eliminate the guesswork

Choosing the right car can be time-consuming and confusing. To make it easier, many web services such as SAVE on Cars and Trucks do the research and find the best deal for you.