Michael and I are looking for a new tow vehicle. The Beast, a 1987 Ford Club Van XL gets about 8 miles per gallon and it is killing us with gas prices at $3 per gallon. While looking around the Internet, I found a site called Autotropolis.

They have this cool tool called a Vehicle Selector Aid that lets you find a car according to your lifestyle. You select your lifestyle:

  • Family Vehicle
  • Environment Conscious
  • Value Buyer
  • Modest & Comfy
  • Performance Driver
  • Flash & Style
  • Price Is Not Object
  • Towing Vehicle
  • Safety Conscious
  • First Time Car Owner
  • College Driver
  • Senior Driver
  • Frugal Driver
  • Long Distance
  • Working Vehicle
  • Off-Road
  • Executive/Luxury
  • Second Car

After you select your lifestyle, you click SELECT. The next page allows you to adjust each of your criteria with a slider or to add criteria to your search. The criteria are slightly different for each lifestyle, but include items such as:

  • reliability
  • mileage
  • drive system
  • ownership cost
  • performance
  • warranty
  • fuel selection
  • fit and finish
  • towing, drive system
  • style
  • electronics
  • child friendly
  • driveability

At the bottom of this page is a listing of Your Ideal Results Based on Your Needs. You may view a thumbnail picture, base price and gas mileage of each vehicle; get a price quote; compare the vehicles side by side; or modify your search by body style and price.

When you have winnowed your selection to 2-3 choices to compare, the comparison page features tabs for Overview, Specifications, Features, Safety Info and Advantages. The Advantages screen compares the first vehicle you have selected with each vehicle you selected and tells you what is different, from drivetrain to warranty.

When you have made your selection, place your zip code in the box under your selection and push GO. When you have selected options like colors and package, you will be given a k

The Dealership Locator helps you to locate new car dealerships by zip code. The TIP (True Internet Price) is the easiest way to find the market value of vehicles sold in your area. Armed with this figure, you will probably be able to get a new car without haggling.

If you are not looking for a new car, then use the full-featured search engine to locate a used vehicle in your area.

Visit Autotropolis, sponsor of this post, and find your next car the easy way.

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