Those Detroit CEOs and their private jets. “The Real Housewives of Orange County” and their swanky spending. Maybe none of them got the memo, but conspicuous consumption is out. Frugal is in.

And it can be fun, too. Take the mild-but-mod sedans below. All are either new or have had complete makeovers, with smart styling, sharp handling and the latest high-tech features. Most are fuel efficient, another turn-on these days. And prices range from $19,000 to just $33,000.

So to all potential car buyers this summer, take a memo: Thrifty is sexy, not stingy.

pan class="subheader2">Ford Taurus
Price: $26,000
MPG: 19 city/29 hi ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2009/6-19/arts/auto/14759.cfm Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EST Autos Going topless
Looking hot in a cool convertible
By Joe Phillips
Friday, May 15, 2009
With the economy taking a “Thelma & Louise” nosedive, recent rebounds in stocks and housing are a breath of fresh air. Too early to break out the Champagne? Perhaps. But it's not too soon to consider life after today's beer-on-a-budget times.

That's where these convertibles come in. Prices range from $17,000 to, gulp, $200,000. So whether you're a prince or a pauper, it's easy to go topless.

Smart Fortwo
$17,000
MPG: 33 city/41 highway
Top lowers in: 2 seconds

Miley Cyrus has one. So does Shaq — and he's more than 7 feet tall. Roomy inside, the Fortwo is the smallest car in the U.S. Styling is quirky yet lov ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2009/5-15/arts/auto/14525.cfm Fri, 15 May 2009 05:00:00 EST Hip hybrids
Save cash on gas and boost your eco-cachet
By Joe Phillips
Friday, April 17, 2009
Sure, there's an all-new Toyota Prius — the hottie of hybrids — planned for 2011. And it'll likely have lithium-ion batteries to help reach a whopping 100 miles per gallon. But production has been delayed before and the technology still isn't nailed down (sometimes those batteries catch fire and explode).

So if you want to forgo the drama, there are more than 30 hybrid models out there right now. Here's a look at some of the best. 

Chevy Malibu Hybrid
Price: $26,000
MPG: 26 city/34 highway

Purists call the Malibu a “mild” hybrid, because it can't run on electric power alone (all the other cars here are “fu ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2009/4-17/arts/auto/14392.cfm Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:00:00 EST Affordable luxury
High-end vehicles are available at bargain-basement prices
By Joe Phillips
Friday, March 20, 2009
Sure, the economy's in the tank. But for savvy car buyers, that means great deals on new cars — especially if you go upscale.

Along with tons of inventory, luxo dealers are offering low-cost financing and even (gasp!) rebates.

And to save more, you can cut down on optional equipment. Most of the vehicles below have plenty of standard high-end gear, so do you really need a heated steering wheel, retractable headlight washers or that 13-speaker stereo?

Also, choose a V6 over a V8 and, ka-ching, you've saved enough for a Fire Island timeshare.

If conspicuous consumption is out, then all the affordable luxury cars below are definitely in.
... ]]> http://washblade.com/2009/3-20/arts/auto/14235.cfm Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:00:00 EST Enviro-friendly ways to travel

By Joe Phillips
Friday, February 20, 2009

Sure, the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight — virtually identical these days — have the lock on gas savings. But style is another matter.

That's where muscle cars come in. For pure butch points, nothing's better. Yet in today's eco-times, V8s are so yesterday.

So automakers are pushing a new crop of V6 engines, which pack plenty of punch yet let you save at the pump. For even better results, opt for a manual over an automatic.

Most of the cars here are retro chic, with mod cabins, ergo-friendly controls and lots of high-end gear. They're also very affordable.

Dodge Challenger

Price: $22,0 ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2009/2-20/arts/auto/14111.cfm Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST Wheels and deals
Production down, value up for automakers in '09
By Joe Phillips
Friday, January 16, 2009

Yes, it's going to be a bumpy ride. Just like Madonna's love life, expect the 2009 economy to be a bit of a rollercoaster. That's why automakers are ratcheting down production — but also ramping up value.

From commercials to auto shows, look for less glitz and more emphasis on fuel savings and reliability. And lucky for you, dealers will be hawking great deals on almost every car, in every segment.

With that in mind, here's a look at some of the best rides of the year.

BEST COMPACT

pan class="aheaderBlue">Mazda3
Price: $17,000 (est.)
MPG: 23 city/30 highway

First introduced in 2004, the ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2009/1-16/arts/auto/13911.cfm Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:00:00 EST Crazy for crossovers
Believe it or not, it's the perfect time to buy a new car
By JOE PHILLIPS
Friday, December 19, 2008

No excuses.

Yes, that may be your mantra to get to the gym or snare a hot date, but it also applies to buying a new car these days.

That's because the economy, home prices and the stock market have all been in free fall. So dealers have slashed prices and automakers are hawking zero-percent financing.

Another plus: rebates are back. Up to $8,000 or more.

All this when some of the best vehicles ever are hitting the market. And that's especially true of crossovers, the latest must-have darlings of the auto world. There are more than 120 models out there, most under $30,000. Some as low as $17,000. And that's before any rebate.

So for gays and lesbians ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2008/12-19/arts/auto/13803.cfm Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:00:00 EST Auto accoutrements

By JOE PHILLIPS
Friday, November 21, 2008

From Porsche pens to BMW coffee makers, auto-related gifts are hot

The economy may be in the tank, but then, well, luckily so is gasoline. It's finally back down to $2 a gallon. That means you can give plenty of gas cards this season. Or you can choose something with a bit more bling for those gay and lesbian motorheads in your life.

Wine Whimsy

Since 1945, renowned artists from Picasso to Warhol have designed labels for pricy Mouton Rothschild wine bottles. Now auto aficionados have an economical alternative: wines from racing icons Jeff Gordon and Mario Andretti. These labels may not be collector's items, but they're sure to tur ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2008/11-21/arts/auto/13620.cfm Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:00:00 EST Best sport sedans
These cars are saucy, sophisticated and have plenty of staying power
By JOE PHILLIPS
Friday, October 17, 2008

Sure, there's an economic meltdown. But that also means there are a lot of great car deals out there.

For drivers who need more than an econo-compact but less than a $100,000 exotic, look at mid-priced sport sedans.

All those below are new or recently upgraded, with solid ratings for safety, reliability and fun. They've got boffo styling, to boot.

In this economy, looking good might help you feel good, too.

Acura TSX

trong>Price: $29,000
trong>Mpg: 21 city/30 highway
trong>0 to 60 mph: 7.7 seconds

With bulges in all the right places, Acura butches up its redesigned ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2008/10-17/arts/auto/13424.cfm Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:00:00 EST Best compact cars
Looks, handling and gas mileage: good things come in small packages
By JOE PHILLIPS
Friday, September 19, 2008

Hybrids are in, gas guzzlers are out. But like nose rings and knuckle tats, hybrids aren't for everyone. Plus, their prices have skyrocketed. It's often more expensive to buy a used Prius — because you can get it immediately — than a new one that may be waitlisted for up to six months.

So what about diesels? They're cleaner and quieter than ever, but diesel fuel prices have risen even higher than plain gasoline.

That leaves compact cars, which are now stylish, solid and increasingly luxe-like.

They're even roomy. The Honda Fit, for example, is 22 inches shorter than a Civic but has as much interior room as an Accord.

While none of the compacts b ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2008/9-19/arts/auto/13291.cfm Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EST Muscle coupes
Today's athletic two-door coupes put in winning performances
By JOE PHILLIPS
Friday, August 15, 2008

Hot bods. Quick reflexes. Fun times.

No, it's not Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff or anyone else from this year's crop of Olympians. It's the four athletic coupes below. All have buff styling and over-the-top stats.

You won't fit a relay team in one, but you'll get better gas mileage — and find coupes easier to park — than most sedans and SUVs. And while it's hard to beat the open-air joy of a ragtop, today's coupes come pretty darn close.

AUDI A5

trong>Price: $40,000
trong>Mpg: 16 city/27 highway
trong>0 to 60 mph: 5.8 seconds

How to take Audi's winning A4 sedan and ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2008/8-15/arts/auto/13090.cfm Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:00:00 EST Hauling in style
New lines of sleek transport cars still have substance
By JOE PHILLIPS
Friday, July 25, 2008

Kids. Dogs. Beach treks. Weekend antiquing. All good reasons to own a handy hauler.

But scratch a minivan off your list. Today, hatchbacks and crossovers are what's hot. Even station wagons are staging a comeback.

With hot looks, high-tech options and comfy yet sporty handling, all the vehicles below are top picks. Oh, and they're loaded with cargo room — the main reason to buy a hauler in the first place.

Ford Flex

Price: $29,000
Mpg: 17 city/24 highway
Cargo room: 83 cubic feet

Taking boxy-is-beautiful styling cues from ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2008/7-25/arts/auto/12943.cfm Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EST Mild but wild
Fun, fuel-friendly and affordable sedans are good options given the troubled economy
By JOE PHILLIPS
Friday, June 20, 2008
Can mild-mannered be sexy? Ed Norton does it in “The Incredible Hulk,” and so can you, with a little help from one of the unassuming — but surprisingly fun — sedans below.

Most have all-new sheet metal, with posh interiors and the latest techno gear. Still, these are four-door haulers, not date-night coupes and convertibles. But comfort is in now, thanks to the mortgage mess, Wall Street jitters and that ugly “R” word (“repos,” which are at an all-time high). All the sedans here are truly comfortable and affordable.

Another plus: they're fuel-efficient — and these days that's oh-so sexy.

H ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2008/6-20/arts/auto/12819.cfm Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:00:00 EST Take your top off
New convertibles run the gamut in style and substance
By JOE PHILLIPS
Friday, May 16, 2008

With summer just around the corner, consider getting a car that makes the most of warm rays and breezy weather — a convertible.