What is a VIN? New car buyers, and those who have simply always bought new, have perhaps never heard the term. It stands for “Vehicle Identification Number,” and it is an intensely useful number worth knowing about

Hacking a car is just Hollywood, right? Wrong. In fact, as cars become more computerized, from entertainment systems to crucial engine functions, they are also becoming more vulnerable. What makes a car hackable, and how can you protect yourself?

A rearview camera is, more and more, a must, and not just because it spares your neck. Rearview cameras are great safety features that are protecting pedestrians and drivers alike, not to mention letting you back out of a space with ease. Here are eight great cars that come with rearviews

How much will your car be worth five years from now? That needs to be part of any car-buying trip, because the value of your car will dictate how much you get for it as a trade-in, how much you’ll need to pay for insurance, and a host of other factors. Here’s how depreciation works

Rebate, or low interest? You see the deals all the time, but you may be naturally suspicious of an offer that seems too good to be true. So, if you’re trying to decide between the two, how should you sort the good deals from the bad ones? Before you do anything else, there are a few basics

Why don’t consumers think about auto loans as products? Just like the cereal at the store or the gas in your tank, that’s exactly what they are; a service provided to you for which you pay a fee. And just like food or fuel, when it comes

Should you buy a used hybrid? If you need fuel efficiency out of your car, or are simply green-minded, both in the economic and environmental sense, hybrids can be a good deal. But before you kick the tires on a hybrid, here’s what you need to know about buying used.

Buy used, or lease a new car? Both financing options have their upsides and downsides, and much depends both on what you need and what your exact financial situation is. Leasing A Car The big advantage of leasing a car is that you get a new car, albeit only temporarily, and all the reliability that guarantees.

Should you co-sign an auto loan? Co-signing can be a good way to get an adult son or daughter on the road, or help out a friend. But it’s also something that needs to be done with care. Here’s what you should know before you sign on the dotted line. It’s Not Always A Bad Thing Co-signing an auto loan can sometimes be looked at as a bad thing.

“All-wheel drive,” “four wheel drive,” same thing, right? Many people seem to think so. But there are some important differences between the two. So why might you want one and not the other? What Is Four-Wheel Drive? “Drive,” in this context, means where the power from the engine goes.