Consumer Reports Best Cars

03/20/96

United Press International reported that the April issue of Consumer Reports carries the magazine's picks for best car of 1996, as well as a whole lot of other info about new cars. For instance, a household with an average income of $32,264 will pay 63% of all of their income to buy a new car. That new car will lose 30% of its value as soon as it leaves the the dealer's lot, and 50% of its worth after three years. The average new car costs $20,209 dollars this year but is only worth $14,146 after it is one day old.

The magazine's picks are the Toyota Camry for best family sedan for under $25k noting that the car ranks performance wise right alongside cars that cost thousands of dollars more. Honda Civic was named best inexpensive car, and the Ford Explorer was called the best sport-utility vehicle. The Toyota Tercel was named best high mileage car (about 39 miles per gallon), while Volkswagen's Golf was named best high mileage in diesel. The Mercedes-Benz E320 was named best car regardless of price ($40-$50K).

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel