MONEY Magazine Annual Car Guide 2002 Selects Best Buys

NEW YORK, Feb. 19 -- Bargains are everywhere this year, making shopping for cars a pure pleasure -- not the usual headache. From the 0% auto loans Ford is offering to the $2,002 rebates on all General Motors vehicles, the amazing buys continue to multiply. In the 2002 Annual Car Guide, MONEY Magazine provides important information on how to analyze and compare possible dealers' tempting offers as well as how to find the car best suited to your needs.

In addition, MONEY selected seven cars that give the most for the money in categories ranging from the Best SUV to the Best Station Wagon to the Best Compact Car. To be a contender, a car, SUV or van had to be practical, provide good value for the money and be good-looking and fun to drive. While the seven choices may not be the cheapest vehicles in their category, MONEY's research shows they deliver the best combination of value and performance. The top choices include:

     *  BEST SUV: BMW X5  The X5 is one great driving luxe machine with its
        super-sensitive power steering, traction control and luxury touches.
        In addition to receiving the top rating among mid-size sport utilities
        in crash tests (staged by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety),
        the X5 retails for about $38,000 with typical options, a cost still
        less or about the same as a fully loaded GMC Yukon.

     *  BEST MINIVAN: DODGE GRAND CARAVAN  Daimler Chrysler gave the Grand
        Caravan a more rugged look last year and with its ready power, crisp
        handling and comfortable ride, the Dodge Grand Caravan is a great
        choice for a family car.  In addition, the minivan offers unique
        options like the power rear lift gate that closes with the touch of a
        key fob and a built-in DVD player.  The best value is the Dodge Grand
        Caravan EX with a standard V-6 engine and options. A good negotiator
        should be able to get the minivan for about $24,740 before a $655
        destination charge and sales tax.

     *  BEST STATION WAGON: VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT  The Passat wagon is built for
        drivers -- its responsive steering moves you smoothly in and out of
        traffic and straightens out those curves on the road to the beach.  In
        addition, the Passat has a great sleek look, quick anti-lock brakes
        and roomy cargo space comparable with some small sport utilities.  One
        can buy the Passat GLX version for about $28,500 with a standard V-6
        engine.

     *  BEST FAMILY SEDAN: TOYOTA CAMRY  While sedans are usually unglamorous
        but comfortable and reliable, Toyota has started to change that
        stereotype with many improvements to the 2002 Camry.  The new, lower
        front end, bulging front fenders and indented hood help move it beyond
        the anonymous look of the previous generation.  A good negotiator can
        get a top-of-the-line Camry XLE for about $20,825, which is $1,000
        over the dealer's price.

     *  BEST LUXURY CAR: ACURA 3.2TL  Car manufacturers have been racing to
        sell a genuine luxury car for less than $30,000 but most luxury cars
        retail for over that, with popular options.  The Acura 3.2TL really
        delivers: For about $29,550 a good negotiator can get a sporty-looking
        car with a power sunroof, six-CD changer and memory settings for two
        drivers in the power bucket seat.

     *  BEST SPORTS CAR: CHEVROLET CORVETTE  MONEY chose the Corvette for its
        exhilarating ride and value.  For $49,706 (for the top-of-the-line
        Z06), anyone can have the chance to drive one of the few cars that
        matches the acceleration speed of the Porsche 911 Turbo.  You'll just
        get the same speed for less than half the price.

     *  BEST COMPACT CAR: FORD FOCUS  Ford breaks the small-car rules.
        Designers combined edgy, eye-catching design with a roomy interior and
        honest seating space for four in many models.  Focus provides drivers
        with one main necessity for small cars: High gas mileage.  A Ford
        Focus ZX3 two-door hatchback lists for $15,435 but a good negotiator
        can get one for around $15,019.

If you are cruising for a deal, MONEY provides two key tips to consider: Dealers are discounting sedans as well as mid-size utilities with a more truck-like ride such as the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee. In addition, before buying a car, make sure to keep the focus on the dealer's own cost and how much more you are willing to pay -- in this day and age, there is no reason to pay the full list price.

In conjunction with the Annual Car Guide, http://www.money.com is re-launching its Auto section located at http://www.money.com/pf/autos. Along with automotive news, features and loan information, http://www.money.com offers users the ability to research, through their partnership with Autofusion, and build the car of their dreams. The new Autos section will provide valuable information and insight into hundreds of different automobiles.

For more information visit http://www.money.com, where MONEY's famous personal finance tools and commentary meet the breaking financial news coverage and analysis of CNNMONEY. The February issue of MONEY will be on newsstands on February 18, 2002. MONEY is published by Time Inc. With a circulation of 1.9 million and a total readership of nearly 8 million, MONEY is the largest financial management publication in the world.