10.) Ferrari 400i

9.)Jaguar X-Type

8.)Datsun 280ZX Turbo

7.) Honda Insight

6.) "Slant Nose" Porsche

5.) Chevrolet SSR

4.) Volvo 262C Bertone Coupe

3.) Chrysler Crossfire

2.) BMW Z1

1.) Chrysler TC by Maserati

The Volkswagen Golf-cum-Rabbit is the kind of home-on-wheels designed for a hip bachelor or bachelorette down on their luck. Though not enough room for a family, the smartly-designed hatchbacks have always offered style and storage at a reasonable price. The four-door models are ideal for urban campers who want to curl up in the backseat but still have street cred with people who don't know they're living on the street. Price New: $17,575 (base four-door) Price Used: $5,000 and up (Mk III - Mk IV)

9.) Mazda Mazda5

The Mazda5 may seem like an unconventional choice for a live-in automobile, but it offers a lot for a little. Based on the sporty Mazda3 platform, the Mazda5 has the benefits of a small economy car: good mileage, low cost-of-ownership and affordability. It also offers some of the benefits of a minivan: sliding doors, three-row seating, fold-out table, under-floor storage and fold-flat seats. The possibility of getting one with a manual, no longer a possibility with most vans, makes it the perfect choice for a down-on-their-luck dad who still likes to drive but may have to outrun creditors. Price New: $18,665 (base) Price Used: $12,500 and up

8.) Ford Econoline

We imagine people have been jamming Econoline as long as people have been living in vans. They're cheap. They're big. They're available in a privacy-enhancing panel version. When Chris Farley's motivation speaker said he was "living in a van down by the river" he was almost certainly talking about a Ford Econoline. The panel version is the cheapest model and, though it lacks carpeting, has ample room for an air mattress or stolen love seat. A top-of-the-line conversion Econoline from the 1980s can be had with a TV/VCR combo, reclining bed, wood inserts and velour drapes. If it's good enough for Mike Watt, it's good enough for us. Price New: $23,940 (E-150) Price Used: $3,000 and up

7.) Honda Element

The Honda Element may be one of the most configurable cars available. The SUV with the soul of a Civic, the Element's seats can be stowed, laid-out or removed as necessary. All of the Honda's seats can be folded backwards to create two long, thin beds. This is the ideal living space for a close couple not willing to face the harsh elements outside of an Element. Additionally, the water resistant interior means that you can hose off the interior after it collects the various liquids of life. Those with a little extra dough can get an ECAMPER conversion for a true camper experience. Price New: $20,990 Price Used: $8,500 and up

6.) Chevy Suburban

There have been a few large SUV models in America's history, but none of them have lived as long as the Suburban, which holds the record for longest continuous nameplate in production. That's good if you're looking for parts for your new home. An increase in gas prices has caused an increase in availability and a decrease in price (the base model came with a 5.7-liter V8). Now that gas prices have dropped along with the economy, it's now even affordable to drive. At over 18-feet long, the Suburban's interior rivals some small studios. The GMT400 models from the 1990s could have come with the 6.5-liter diesel, which is perfect for long nights of idling to keep the heat running. Older models are tough and cheap while newer models get more expensive but offer more in the way of creature comforts. Price New: $40,820 Price Used: $2,500 and up (GMT400)

5.) Volvo 740 Wagon

A Volvo station wagon is a great choice for a family looking for a safe place to live and the Volvo 740 is perhaps the best balance of value and space. Nearly 16-feet long, the early 1990s models run cheap and aklthough not fast, they're quite roomy. Most importantly, the build quality and reliability of the last model years of the 740 are among the highest of any vehicle Volvo's ever built. When you get kicked out of your gated community you can also use it to sneak back in as a soccer mom and not as someone who uses a soccer ball for a pillow. Price New: N/A Price Used: $2,000 and up

4.) Dodge Caravan

What better way to celebrate your new life in a failing economy than buying a car from afailing automaker? Kids love the Caravan because of the cool features, like the fold-out table, DVD player with A/V hookup for the video games, fold-flat seats, tall roofs and many storage spaces. When the kids ask why they spend all the time at the beach and never go home just tell them it's like that vacation you took to Florida.. except it never ends. A small family could do much worse than life in a Caravan or its ritzy Town & Country brother, though we recommend a third generation if you want all of those features. Price New: $28,500 Price Used: $14,500 and up (third gen), $2,500 and up (second gen)

3.) Ford Flex

The automotive gypsy lifestyle once meant big vans or SUVs but the era of the crossover is here. Balancing van-like space and amenities with car-like handling, the crossover could be the sleeping place of choice for the next Great Depression. The Ford Flex might be the best choice for those who may soon be evicted but are currently of some means. The long, seven-seater Flex offers space, comfort and luxury in a package that looks like a house. Throw in a fridge in the second row console that can fit a six-pack of beer and you've got quite a home. Price New: $28,295 (base) Price Used: $25,000 (or even as low as $7,500 off of a repossession. How meta is that anyway?)

2.) Volkswagen Vanagon/EuroVan Westfalia

The Westfalia VWs were designed for living for, though not necessarily for extended periods of time. Offered through VW, the Westfalias were essentially a Volkswagen Vanagon or EuroVan with a camper top that folds out to create a living space. Many also came equipped with small refrigerators, stovetops, sink and other appliances. The Vanagon pictured above was created by this guy to be an all-season living space. They no longer sell the Westy here in the US new, so you'll have to find one on the used market. Price New: N/A Price Used: $6,000 and up (Vanagon) $12,000 and up (EuroVan Weekender)

1.) Dodge Sprinter

There's really nothing like a Dodge Sprinter commercial van if you have to live your life on wheels. Daddy Coppola turned one into a portable studio and we'd be proud to live in one. Based on the Mercedes Sprinter van, this is the Mercedes of commercial vans. At nearly 23-feet long, nine-feet tall and six-feet wide the cargo area of a Sprinter is a cave. Throw in a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, 12-volt power outlet and a hydraulic jack and you're traveling the US in comfort. For real style you can convert your Sprinter into a Mercedes with a few cheap trim pieces. In extended form there's enough room in the back for a bed, small couch, table and desk. High-mileage, used cargo versions can be found at quite a reasonable price. And, we hear it may actually be bigger than Wert's entire place in Manhattan — and for 1/10th the price new! Price New: $42,170 Price Used: $14,000 More »
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UPDATE: Tesla notifies Detroit workers already-in-the-know they were laid off two days ago...today! In a sign of what this new Financiapocalypse might bring, employees in the Metro Detroit branch of electric car maker Tesla Motors were laid off via a blog post. Yesterday, we reported that Tesla would be cutting back and reorganizing, which included shutting down the office in Rochester Hills, near Detroit. Unfortunately, no one told the employees in Rochester Hills. Some of them logged on to find that they were now, according to their own website, obsolete. But it gets worse. We're hearing that approximately 90 Tesla employees, or 90% of the Detroit office, was simply let go, and the remaining employees have to make their way to the San Carlos headquarters with no moving costs covered, no increase in salary and no help getting rid of their old homes. Fortunately, the real estate market in Detroit is red-hot, and the cost of living is about the same in San Carlos.... right? The relevant section from the Tesla pink slip blog-post-of-death below:

There will also be some headcount reduction due to consolidation of operations. In anticipation of moving vehicle engineering to our new HQ in San Carlos, we are ramping down and will close our Rochester Hills office near Detroit. Good communication, tightly knit engineering and a common company culture are of paramount importance as Tesla grows.

That's right folks, "good communication" is key. [Photo: James Nielsen/Getty Images] More »
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As MSNBC reports, crude oil prices are creeping upward on reports of positive economic news around the globe, but not before they hit their lowest price in over a year on Friday: $77.70 a barrel. Turns out the global recession is lowering demand for oil, forcing prices into an overall downward trend, a cycle at least one analyst expects to continue in the short term. The result at home has been a drop in gas prices from a national average of $4.11 per gallon in mid-July to the current $3.35 for a gallon of dino-juice — just the thing to prop up consumer confidence, at least until OPEC's special meeting next month, which actually might have more to do with propping up the Dow Jones Industrial Average today than anything else. So do your part, folks: Drive your cars or the domestic terrorists on Wall Street win! More »
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Today, the price of a share of Ford stock dipped to $2.40 (as of 1:58 PM), the lowest price valuation on the automaker since 1983. In fact, at that price, we figure it's lower than the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gas at any service station in the country. We decided we'd see if that was actually true. More »
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The guy-loving guys and gal-loving gals over at Gaywheels.com (did we mention they're gay?) took a look at their search records for the third quarter of 2008 to pull out their latest list of the site's ten most researched cars. So what's changed since the last list? Well, for the first time, an exotic car cracks the list, as the Maserati GranTurismo brings up the rear with the tenth spot. The rest of the list below the jump. The Volkswagen Rabbit and Eos remained in first and second place, respectively. Mazda's MAZDA3 gave up the third slot to its sister car from Mazda, the MX-5, which now shares that position with the Audi A3. For the first time, there were multiple ties on the list. In addition to the tie for third, the MAZDA3 and VW Jetta vied for the fourth slot, the Saab 9-3 and Dodge Caliber both slotted in at 6th and the newcomer Toyota Matrix joined the MINI Cooper as the 9th Most-Researched Vehicles. Rounding out the Top 10 is the Maserati GranTurismo - the first exotic vehicle to ever appear on the list. Here's the full list: 10. Maserati Gran Turismo 9. Mini Cooper and Toyota Matrix (tie)* 8. Smart ForTwo 7. Volvo C30 6. Dodge Caliber 5. Saab 9-3 and Dodge Caliber (tie) 4. VW Jetta and Toyota Yaris 3. Audi A3 and MAZDA3 2. VW Eos and Mazda MX-5 Miata (tie) 1. VW Rabbit [via Gaywheels.com] More »
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The most cliched phrase so far during this financial crisis has been "what happens on Wall Street affects Main Street," and nowhere is this truer than for that large car dealership located on Main Street, which will have to adapt to the new market in ways that will seriously impact car buyers. While not all of the changes are positive for consumers, the tough position dealerships find themselves in will make an already buyer-friendly market more so in the coming months. Below is our look at seven ways car buyers will be impacted. More »
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The stock market is tanking, credit is dwindling, banks are collapsing and more people find themselves without a job or even a home. The times of owning a big, fancy, gas-thirsty Lexus SUV have disappeared along with the market for mortgage-backed derivative securities. If you've any hope to survive to drive through the impending financiapocalypse, you'll need a vehicle that's both thrifty and utilitarian. We've culled the ten best vehicles from the suggestions of our would-be hobo commenters to help keep you rolling from soup kitchen to unemployment office. More »
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The recent collapse of Bill Heard Chevrolet, the largest chain of Chevy dealerships in the world, has left former customers with a slew of problems. I spent an afternoon outside the now barricaded entrance of Bill Heard Chevrolet in Ike-ravaged suburban Houston speaking with former customers left hanging in limbo for this exclusive story of the fall of Bill Heard's dealership empire. More »
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Since owners are fleeing their SUVs like rats from a sinking ship, it seems like a great time to put together a list of the top used SUV bargains. Luckily, Popular Mechanics has put together just such a list. After all, some people out there actually need a purposeful wagon to take them off-road or help them haul a trailer and family. As such, there isn't a single crossover on the list, but you can be assured that these rugged trucks will get the job done without forcing you to work a second job. We've even found an example of each for sale on Ebay, to give you an idea of what's really on the market. Oh, and we've also included one very Jalopnik-approved used SUV that may or may not be a bargain. Check out the list below.

Land Rover Discovery

No arguing that the Land Rover Discovery is about as timeless as a modern SUV can get, but since most people are born with a natural instinct to avoid buying used British vehicles, prices for a decent used one are cheap. PopMech suggested looking for a '93-'98 model, but we found this clean-looking '99 for just $4795 buy-it-now. The only problem we can think of is that we'd likely attempt growing a handlebar mustache and wearing one of those safari hats everywhere if we bought this. [ebay]

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Think of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer as part Hummer and part good ol' family station wagon. There was once a time when the woody side panels would have guaranteed that'd you'd never have any friends, but nowadays the Grand Wagoneer has undeniable retro-cool appeal. This one is available in Colorado for just $3400 buy-it-now. [ebay]

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Try not to think of all the soccer moms that flocked to the Jeep Grand Cherokee when it was new. Remember instead the way Bob Lutz drove one up the steps of Cobo Hall and through a glass wall at its debut during the North American International Auto Show. Regardless of whoever bought the Grand Cherokee, it was still a full-on Jeep. Nowadays, they're not just cheap, but have a great range of aftermarket parts available too. [ebay]

Toyota Land Cruiser

The only thing missing from this FJ80 Toyota Land Cruiser are the letters "UN" painted in bold black font on the sides. These things are great for tackling sand dunes, but if you feel like having a different sort of fun, you can always take some air out of the tires and try to balance it sideways up on two wheels. At least, that's what all the cool kids do. [ebay]

Toyota 4Runner

A close cousin to the indestructible Hilux, these old 4Runners were versatile not just because you could drive them over any terrain, but also because they had a lift-off top. Yes, it's a convertible SUV. The whole rear section would pop off, leaving the rear passengers with a full open-air experience. [ebay]

Chevy/GMC Suburban

If the point of this is list is to show affordable vehicles that can go off-road, tow a big trailer, and carry a bunch of people, then perhaps nothing meets those qualifications better than an old Chevy Suburban. This one we found even comes lifted on 35" tires. Sure you might not get the best gas mileage, but this seller claims theirs returns over 16 MPG on the highway after installing manual lock-out front hubs. But either way, who cares? You'll be getting so much truck for your buck anyways. [ebay]

Ford Bronco

Sure, driving a white Ford Bronco will make people think you're OJ Simpson, but why not have some fun with it and paint "I DID IT" on the hood or "If the glove don't fit, you must acquit" on the back? That seems like enough of a reason to buy this '94 model for cheap. [ebay]

Isuzu Trooper

The Isuzu Trooper may have a bad reputation for rolling over, but c'mon, doesn't that just make it cooler? Ok, not convinced? Well, then check out this rare turbocharged model and try to tell yourself it isn't dripping with a certain arms-dealer aura of cool. Those anti-Clinton bumper stickers are included in the $3750 buy-it-now price. [ebay]

Mitsubishi Montero

Sometimes overlooked, the Mitsubishi Montero is a solid choice if you want something with a plenty of off-road capability and interior plushness. This '95 model we found even has the fold-down rear-facing jump seat in the back. [ebay]

Nissan Xterra

The Nissan Xterra may be a very recent vehicle, but with its no-frills character it fits right in with this rough bunch. Common, yes, but between its ruggedly handsome looks and old-school body-on-frame architecture, you can't go wrong.[ebay]

Jalopnik-Approved Alternate Option: LaForza

Italian style with a Ford V8, now that's what we call a winning combination. But does the $5500 buy-it-now price make it a bargain, or is it just the start of a journey into an endless money pit.[ebay] More »
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With today's four-bucks-and-higher gas prices, a used car can make a lot of sense over buying a new overweight monster from the new car lot. However, unless you're buying certified pre-owned, most used car purchases aren't covered by stringent consumer protection laws and don't carry the guarantee of the manufacturer, meaning it's a decision made without a safety net. As a used car buyer you should always be careful — no matter how you're buying the car. To help, we've prepared the following seven point checklist to help you on your way. More »
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Car And Driver realizes that while hybrids and alternative fuels may get all the hype, the solution for many people on fuel economy is still the simple old econo-bucket beater. However, they've come up with five reasons why buying something like a cheap old Geo Metro isn't a good idea. Car And Driver makes some valid points, but we're thinking we'd still rather have a old beater. Although our five reasons below the jump won't apply to most consumers — we think maybe consumers should just become more like us. Reliability: Sure, an old Geo may not be as reliable as a brand new Toyota, Chevy or Ford, but it's still more reliable than say, an old MG. Besides, "poor reliability" is just another way of saying "lots of character," and who doesn't want to have a car with a personality? Safety: Yes, a rusty Metro make a Brilliance look like a tank, but who's to say you can't install a roll cage and wear a fire-proof suit and a helmet? Besides, old Volvos make for good cheap beaters too, and they built their whole reputation on safety. Speed (or lack thereof): We enjoy driving— quickly. There's no way getting around that. But if your goal is saving fuel, do you really care how fast you're going? Besides, you'd be surprised at the perverse kind of enjoyment you get from trying to squeeze the maximum amount of MPG from an otherwise boring commute. Emissions: Actually, there's not really any arguing with this point. Fact is, your cheap old beater with a hole rusted in its catalytic converter (or even with an intact one) is going to spew more smog into the air than most any modern car. Though if you're running an old Mercedes diesel on biodiesel, you do get that delicious french fry scent from the tailpipe. Theft: So what if the baddies are more likely to jack your little hatchback? Just go out and buy another one for $80. Look at it as spreading the gift of fuel economy to your community. More »
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Now that Hurricane Ike has passed, the Houston area is grappling with few working gas stations and many people wanting to drive. As the energy capital of the U.S., it's a strange site to see police guarding gas stations and lines crawling down the street and running through parking lots and neighborhoods. Though there's been some anger and violence at unsupervised stations, most of what we've seen has been orderly. The cause of this? First, there's a sudden demand for gas caused by generators and gas-powered tools. Additionally, many stations still don't have power, don't have fuel or have been damaged in the storm. It has caused a temporary cultural shift in driving behavior in Houston. More »
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According to Toyota's Open Road blog, Magnussen’s Toyota in Palo Alto, California was "doing what Toyota encourages its dealers to do:" Take customers' money. The Silicon Valley dealership had apparently been deluged with requests for a plug-in Prius hybrid; knowing Toyota was working on such a vehicle, Magnussen's decided to take "deposits" for plug-in Prii, despite the fact that Toyota had not yet announced any timetable for retail sales. Irv Miller, Toyota VP of Corporate Communications, then attempted to spin away Magnussen's shady business practices as a simple case of a dealer trying to make its customers happy. Some choice quotes after the jump. More »
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The Porsche-branded kitchen earlier this week reminded us that automotive marketing gurus like to use their considerable name equity to brand products having nothing to do with cars. While sometimes this can help increase brand identity with the masses, here's our list of the ten auto-branded products which decrease brand equity and dilute brand stature. More »
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Just how bad is the US vehicle market? Pretty bad when Intellichoice reports the relatively fuel-sipping Toyota Corolla and Yaris are selling with cash on the hood. Intellichoice, in a release accompanying their August Best Deals of the Month even goes so far as to say that "A Best Deals winner may be obsolete in 2010 due to the collapsing market." Ouch, and so long, Nissan Armada. Aside from Corolla and Yaris, this month's list includes the Chevy Silverado, Lexus GX, the aformentioned Nissan Armada and, don't look now, but smug is actually a really good value this August. In fact, the list contains several of the selections from yesterday's "compact vs hybrid" value shootout. Full release after the jump. More »
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For prospective consumers looking to purchase a car as more than mere transportation, we decided it was time for the Jalopnik commentariat to put the ten most beautiful cars in the world currently for sale on a pedestal. We've done the ugliest cars at home and abroad, now it's time to soothe your eyes with images of cars that'll evoke your inner dragon. To be considered truly beautiful, we decided a vehicle must transcend gimmicks and needless ornamentation to achieve an economy of design, eschewing the aggressiveness of most modern sports cars. Instead, these cars capture the classic feminine qualities that have encouraged owners to refer to their cars as "she." Given this standard, we think the ten below are almost indisputably the most beautiful — thought that certainly won't stop you all from adding your own two cents in the comments below.

10. Audi R8

Years of female empowerment public service announcements and deodorant ads have convinced us it's possible to be both athletic and beautiful. But even in a world without "Girl Power" the Audi R8 is extant proof that strong is sexy. Despite its Lamborghini heritage, there are no scissor doors or fighter jet inspired vents. The R8 is one of the few modern mid-engined cars that's actually subtle and, therefore, the object of burglar's desire. More »
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General Motors is offering a transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty with zero deductible on all of the company's 60,000+ Certified Used Vehicles for one year or 12,000 miles, on top of their 100,000, five-year limited powertrain warranty. This offer is valid for anyone looking to get a Chevy, GMC, Buick, Saturn or Pontiac. The program doesn't extend to Hummer, Cadillac or Saab, each of whom offer a comprehensive used-car warranty program that is almost better than the new Saab warranty. Sounds like you've finally got an excuse to pick up that used GTO you've had your eye on. Press release below the jump. More »
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After investing time and money into developing a new vehicle to meet consumer's needs you'd think that coming up with a name would be the easy part. Whether because of mistranslation, cultural misunderstandings or just plain mistakes, these names prove it's not as easy as you'd think. Culled from our automotive knowledge and commenter suggestions these are the worst of the worst. And like great Olympic gymnasts, many of these cars are Asian and less than 16 years old. If you think you can do worse, drop a suggestion in the comments below, and of course, don't forget to vote for what you think is the least appealing. More »
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Toyota is basing its production plans on projections that US gas prices could rise as high as $5.00 a gallon as soon as 2015. The Japanese automaker also believes the full-size truck market will experience a significant recovery in the near future. Despite demand for its fuel-efficient Prius hybrid reaching an all-time high, it is unable to increase production of the vehicle until the 2011 model year. But gas hit $4.00 a gallon earlier this year: It seems unlikely that it'll take seven years for it to rise another dollar, so is Toyota being too optimistic with its projections? More »
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Our fearless leader's brother is trying to help out his mom by selling her old 2002 Liberty on Craigslist right now...is he making the right choice? Thanks to technology, there are a myriad of ways to offload a set of wheels. You can try for the highest bidder by putting your ride on eBay. You can go the easy route by posting it on Craigslist, Facebook market and other online listings. Before there was the Internet people would sell their cars in a newspaper, which we're told still exists. There's also the popular trade-in or dealer option, though the common perception is this isn't the most lucrative way to do it. Then there's the oldest of old fashion ways: putting it on the side of the road. But which way's the best? More »
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J.D. Power & Associates has again released its annual Vehicle Dependability Study, measuring problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles; in this case, 2005 model year vehicles. No surprises at the very top, as Lexus leads the pack for a 14th straight year, but two domestic brands — Mercury and Cadillac — again made the top five. In fact, of US automakers, only Chrysler didn't have a brand that placed above the industry average. Full rankings and press release after the jump. More »
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A group that keeps tabs on toxic car chemicals has released a study showing that new cars are improving in terms of the amount of interior toxins they off-gas: What we euphemistically call "new car smell." General Motors, Mazda and Nissan showed the greatest improvements over the inaugural year of the survey, according to HealthyCar.com. The best performing vehicle this year was the Acura RDX, which scored a 0.6 on their incomprehensible 10-point scale. It wasn't all coming up roses, as there are still many vehicles emitting that oh-so-pleasing and apparently oh-so-toxic smell. More »
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In addition to the increased cost of filling them with fuel, car rental rates are rising as rental companies try to squeeze profits out of a shrinking fleet, reports the Detroit News. To help decrease overhead, rental companies have removed 300,000 vehicles from their inventory, despite demand that has remained steady. To generate revenue from a smaller fleet, costs to the consumer have increased — though not as much as they could have thanks to intense competition within the industry. More »
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