We've been doing some snooping around and got some skinny on the new Mini Cooper, due out in 2007. First, if you want a truly international car, step right up. Secondly, the next big thing is the body style. Just as we were getting used to seeing the Mini Convertible, along comes a longer-wheelbase version including (gasp!) a five-door with more rear legroom and cargo area.

Auto customers have helped drive down new car, truck and SUV prices over the past year. Many car manufacturers now offer models for significantly less than they did just one year ago. However, prices aren't all that have changed. Available and standard features have changed as well. As a result, with a little research, savvy car buyers can now get much more bang for their buck. For instance, Saturn recently announced that it will lower sticker prices or add features to every vehicle in its 2006 lineup.

With gas prices hovering around $3 a gallon, it might pay to invest in a new, more fuel-efficient car, even if you were hoping to eke out another year or two with your current model. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, a car that gets 40 miles to a gallon vs. 20 miles to a gallon can save you more than $900 annually in gas costs when gas is $2.50 a gallon. Before you hit the showrooms, a little research can help you focus your sights on cars that are fuel-efficient choices. "You'll also want to evaluate your financing options to make sure you save on car payments as well as on gas," says Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education for Experian.

For over a decade, savvy car shoppers have tapped into vast resources available on the Internet for their research and car buying needs. According to a Jupiter Research report from March 2005, about 65 percent of car buyers in the U.S. start researching online before ever kicking a tire on a car lot. However, despite those encouraging statistics, many would-be online car shoppers have had a hard time getting the one thing they really want -- a real online price quote for the exact new car they want to buy. In fact, in recent years it can be argued that buying a car online really hasn't evolved much. Most sites offer the same sticker and invoice pricing information, similar ‘build your car" configuration utilities (that are often far from complete) and then take that information and go about sharing your email address with dealers from here to eternity.

Many new car buyers will appreciate the latest automotive trends expected to take shape in 2006 and beyond. A greater variety of downsized, fuel-efficient SUVs will be available. New vehicle safety features like tire pressure monitors will reach the market. And sales promotions like last summer's employee discount campaign are expected to set the stage for year-round, no-haggle vehicle pricing. But a less-publicized automotive trend - rising interest rates - will make 0-percent car loans a rare breed in 2006. Increasingly, consumers will need to comparison shop for their car loans before they go to buy, just as they do for the vehicles themselves.

Car buyers now have a growing number of choices when it comes to selecting the perfect vehicle model. But shoppers may want to pay equal attention to a less exciting, but potentially expensive trend-taking out a car loan that turns their wallet upside down. In recent years, more and more consumers have become "upside down" on their auto loans-meaning, they owe more on their vehicle than it's worth in trade when the time comes to buy a new one. Studies show that almost 40 percent of recent new car buyers were upside down on their existing car loans-up from 25 percent of buyers in 2001.

If you're in the market for a new set of wheels, you need to know much more than the make and model of your dream car or truck. Whether you buy or lease, it's important to walk into the dealership knowing your credit score and the interest rate you're likely to receive. This information can help put you in the driver's seat when negotiating a car loan. One of the driving factors in determining loan interest rates is this three digit number ranging from 300 to 850 commonly known as your FICO credit score. Lenders frequently use this number as a benchmark to estimate their risk; if you'll pay off your loans and whether you'll pay on time. For today's car shoppers, understanding your credit score and how lenders view your credit history can be indispensable in helping you negotiate the best deal possible.

If you're shopping for a used car you've probably heard the word "certified." The number of certified used cars has grown since their introduction approximately 10 years ago. Unfortunately, most of us don't know what certified should mean and, even worse, it doesn't always mean the same thing. While all certification programs are different, the basic idea behind them is simple. A manufacturer or dealer puts vehicles that qualify through a fairly rigorous and thorough inspection process, add things like extended warranties, maybe offer special financing terms and other perks and sell them with many of the same benefits associated with buying a new car.

New car shopping can be a lot of fun, especially if you're a car enthusiast. But others can find the experience stressful and tedious. Either way, there's a lot to think about. According to a survey of car shoppers, overall purchase price is the most important factor when shopping for a new car (46 percent), followed by make and model (31 percent). Safety and performance come in a distant third, tied at seven percent. But whether you're turned on or turned off by the dizzying array of car choices, trim options, "expert" reviews, incentives and other deals, it definitely pays to approach car buying strategically. So if you're in the market for a new vehicle and you find yourself having trouble keeping a clear head, just keep these strategies in mind

Last year, Americans spent nearly $32 trillion on consumer goods and services, such as cars, gasoline and travel, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. And at the start of the new year, many consumers resolved to change their spending habits and better manage their finances. Yet, studies show that only one-third will actually keep these financially focused resolutions for any length of time. To help consumers stick to their money-minded goals in the year ahead, Shell and Citi Cards® offer the following three suggestions for stretching a household budget by taking advantage of valuable rebates and reward offers.