Summer is upon us, the time when millions pack up the car, strap in the whole family, and excitedly hit the road. Although some make a National Lampoon vacation of the process, it certainly doesn’t have to be that way. With a small bit of planning and, most importantly, the right route, a summer drive with the family, a loved one, or even just by yourself, can be a very pleasant experience. You might not have an epiphany, but then again you might.  Who knows?

Because the direction is so all-important,  we’ve taken it upon ourselves to choose some of the best panoramic routes in the USA. In our combined decades of pleasure driving for some of the country’s most Fun road trippopular automotive magazines, we’ve seen a gaggle of pretty roads. But we’re here to tell you that the four we feature are surely among America’s best. And, so that it doesn’t seem that we’re playing favorites with localities, we have chosen roads in the Southeast, the Midwest, the Northeast,  and the Pacific Coast. Given the limited space we have,  that’s about as ecumenical as we can get. And so, without further ado, here are 4 Hot Summer Drives. Read more . . .

how hybrids work diagramUsed hybrid cars are hot, and getting hotter by the month! And we’ve got them for thousands of dollars less than new models. Buy a used hybrid car from UsedCars.biz and you can save money both up front and for years to come at the pump. Buy a hybrid car, and you’ll be the envy of your neighbors, and you won’t regret it. Better mileage means savings in your pocket, and also time and hassle saved through fewer trips to the gas station. Read more . . .

If there is one thing that always makes people more squeamish than standing up to speak in front of a group of people, it is buying a used car. Pass the antacids, we all could be in for a night full of indigestion and pain. But the fact is some of today’s smartest vehicle shoppers are buying used cars that serve them (and their bank accounts) very well. Many used cars sale experts agree: There has never been a better time to buy a used car. Read more . . .

If you watch the TV news, you might think you can’t possibly get an auto loan or a lease, and you might get the impression that millions of U.S. consumers are defaulting on auto loans right and left. But if you take a look at the actual statistics (now why would TV reporters do that?!), you’ll find that the reality is certainly unhealthy but not catastrophic.  Terms in credit  Some buyers are in trouble and may default on their auto loans, but the vast majority are making their payments. At the same time, lenders are being more choosy about whom they lend money to, which means they are in a less risky position than they were last year. Read more . . .

In the current economic climate, many people are taking another look at their lives to cut spending. Even if your job and business is still intact, the rather unstable stock market and low-interest savings accounts call for setting money aside for emergencies and retirement plans. One bill we cannot eliminate is our car insurance.    But the better news is that we can reduce it, saving money without sacrificing coverage quality. Here are six (secret) insider tips your own insurer probably hasn’t shared with you:

Pay ahead of time — Ask if you can save money by paying for six to 12 months of your annual car insurance in advance. If you have a monthly payment plan, you may be paying more, as the insurer needs to spend more to send out monthly bills and collections. Some insurance companies will offer discounts for purchasing longer periods of coverage to ensure that you will continue your coverage with their company. Read more . . .