Author Archive for release
Low car payments can hurt you
With the average cost of a new vehicle now around $30,000, it’s no surprise that car loans are getting longer and longer, notes Consumer Reports. Some banks now offer car loans with payback terms that run for as long as eight years. While long-term loans translate into lower monthly payments, they can cost you [...]
Sweet picks for Valentine’s Day
When it comes to chocolate, the good stuff doesn’t come cheap. To find the ultimate chocolate experience, in time for Valentine’s Day, taste testers at ShopSmart, the shopping magazine from Consumer Reports, nibbled on thousands of boxed bonbons, from hand-crafted assortments going for $90 a pound to a $10 Whitman’s Sampler.
For family sedans, the Honda Accord leads
In recent months, many of the most popular midsized sedans have received major redesigns or notable freshenings that have altered the landscape in the category, notes Consumer Reports. That includes the three models in its latest report: the Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu and Subaru Legacy.Lost in the flurry of shapely redesigns is the Honda [...]
Better joints without surgery
Americans are wearing out their joints, Consumer Reports notes. Knee replacement is now among the most common major surgeries, up 162 percent in the last two decades, according to an analysis of Medicare data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
7 money stumbles to avoid
Everyone makes money mistakes. But missteps or miscalculations can cost you a lot over the long term and could inadvertently hurt your family when you’re gone.
Would you buy your car again?
Here’s a hot tip: If you want a car that you can really get excited about, choose one that gives you great fuel economy, a fun driving experience and/or luxurious surroundings. That’s the clear message from Consumer Reports’ latest owner-satisfaction survey, in which all of the 10 highest scoring models feature one or more [...]
Happier Holiday Returns
Sometimes it just has to go back, whether it’s a dress that looked a lot better in the dressing room or the holiday present so terrible you can’t even regift it. ShopSmart, the shopping magazine from the publisher of Consumer Reports, recently looked at ways to make the process of returns as painless as possible, [...]
The Dodge Dart is promising but has room for improvement
The Dodge Dart, the first all-new model to emerge from the Fiat-Chrysler alliance, earned praise from Consumer Reports for its solid feel, handling and ride, and upscale options. But ultimately it didn’t score high enough in recent tests to be Recommended in a very competitive small sedan class.
Great sites for holiday gifts under $25
Holiday shoppers can find the perfect gift for almost everyone on their list for $25 or less. ShopSmart, the shopping magazine from the publisher of Consumer Reports, recently highlighted great websites that offer everything from silly stocking stuffers to socially responsible gift items.
Top 10 electronics: Standouts for performance and innovation
While Consumer Reports recently tested more than 600 smartphones, tablets, TVs and more, only 10 standout products made the short list for performance and innovation.
