Kelley Blue Book
Kelley Blue Book is the longest-running source for estimated used car value (not to be confused with the industry-standard Black Book, which is available only to dealers and finance companies). KBB and Edmunds provide similar services, though they often produce disparate estimates for the same vehicle.
NHTSA
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps up-to-date information on current recall campaign for both cars and related items such as child seats.
Edmunds
Edmunds.com is a great source of estimated prices for new and used cars, reviews, maintenance tips and general advice on car ownership. They offer a unique True Cost to Own® system of revealing hidden costs of ownership for different models, and provide model-specific forums for users to interact with each other.
IntelliChoice
Intellichoice offers several metrics for comparing different makes and models against each other. Whether your primary concern is fuel economy, reliability, safety or all of the above, Intellichoice can help you narrow down your options. IntelliChoice gives “awards” in several categories, such as Best Value and Motorist Choice.
CARFAX
If you’re considering a pre-owned car, Carfax is an indispensable source of detailed vehicle history reports on used cars and light trucks model year 1981 or later. We recommend using Carfax in conjunction with AutoCheck, as both services will occasionally report items the other omits.
AutoCheck
AutoCheck provides detailed vehicle history reports, much like those provided by CARFAX. However, AutoCheck provides better value with an option to run unlimited reports for 30 days for $44.99, whereas CARFAX charges $34.99 for each report, with no discount for multiple reports or monthly subscription.
Bankrate
Bankrate.com provides up-to-the-minute car loan rates, auto loans and objective information to help with your next car purchase, as well as nearly 20 different auto loan calculators. Bankrate can also provide you with insurance quotes from multiple companies for comparison.