The minivan segment has been in decline as of late, with many families electing to switch over to crossovers and SUVs rather than stick with the "mommy van." Automakers have obviously noticed the lagging sales, but have just recently began to do something about it.

When all is said and done, 2011 may just be remembered as the "year of the minivan," as all the major models got redesigns for the year. With at least six brand-new cars for sale to choose from, it can be understandably tricky for a family to pick the one that's right for them.

That's why Cars.com partnered up with MotorWeek and USA Today for the first ever "Ultimate Minivan Shootout," a rigorous three days of testing that would decide which model rose to the top. A selection of auto experts from the three publications as well as a family of five all tested the Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest and Volkswagen Routan over the three days. Each were given a comprehensive scorecard, with all the pros and cons converted to numerical figures
and tallied up. All minivans were similarly equipped and retailed for less than $45,000.

While they eventually came up with a clear winner, no model was deemed completely worthless. The reviewers didn't like the Toyota Sienna, as it came in last place, but they praised its smooth ride, excellent performance and available all-wheel drive. The Dodge Grand Caravan, in fifth overall, was deemed an excellent value – its $34,000 price tag made it much cheaper than the other cars on the list.

The Routan was similarly priced as the Grand Caravan, but held a number of advantages – like a rear-seat DVD and second-row seating. That was enough to earn it fourth place overall. And in third place, the Nissan Quest was deemed the best of the bunch by two of its reviewers – but its lack of standard features and odd styling ultimately held it back.

Things got close at the top of the list, but the Honda Odyssey ultimately beat out the Chrysler Town and Country to win the shootout. Both vehicles were praised, with reviewers and family alike praising Chrysler's luxurious interior and the Odyssey's extensive features.

Of course, drivers should keep in mind that these are only the results of one test. Earlier this year, Edmunds Inside Line ran a very similar test with some wildly different results. With performance more of a factor, the Sienna actually ended up as the best overall, with the Quest and Odyssey tying for second. The two American models brought up the rear, and the Routan wasn't even tested.

If you're looking to buy a used minivan, you might want to head down to New Jersey State Auto Auction. They have nearly every model available, and you can take your time and do your own minivan shootout to see which you like the best.

Several new 2012 Honda Civics have already been recalled due to an issue during manufacturing resulted in improperly-installed fuel lines.

Honda announced that it was bringing back more than 1,500 vehicles, which were only produced several weeks ago. The 2012 redesign of the Civic only recently went on sale, so it's a bit unusual for a recall to be issued so quickly.

The only vehicles affected by the change were 2012 models produced between April 21st and May 2nd. Honda became aware of the issue when an employee at the company's factory reported a smell of gasoline coming from one of the cars.

Apparently, the fuel lines can become dislodged in the vehicle. If left unchecked, this could start a small fire. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported as a result of the defect.

In fact, the problem may not affect that many owners. Since the car just went on sale last month, a good portion of the models are likely still sitting at the dealership. For example, of the 337 cars recalled in Canada, only 2 had actually been purchased. Honda has not revealed how many were sold in the U.S. so far, but has already notified the owners.

A lack of used cars has led to dealers willing to pay very high prices for models, making it one of the best time in years to sell a car.

The Associated Press reports that more drivers held onto their cars during the recession, meaning that the normal cycle of buying a new car and then selling it to a used dealer was considerably disrupted. Used car dealers are now beginning to feel the effects, and are thus paying higher prices simply to fill up their lots.

According to data from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), dealers are paying an average of $11,660 for cars. That represents a near 30 percent increase since December 2008.

"You're not going to find a situation like this very often," Jonathan Banks, executive auto analyst for NADA, told the news source.

NADA's data isn't an anomaly by any means. Manheim, which is one of the biggest auto auction companies, has been tracking used car prices since 1995 with their monthly vehicle index. Chief economist for the company, Tom Webb, says that prices this year are the highest in the history of their tracking.

The chief reason is the fact that buyers are holding onto their vehicles for longer. During the recession, most drivers couldn't afford to purchase a new vehicle. Instead, they opted to hold onto their current car. In addition, many people decided to buy used cars rather than new ones. That continued activity has led to a dwindling supply of cars for used car dealers. Anyone who's taking a basic economics class can predict what happens next. With little supply of used cars over a number of years, dealer demand has built up to the point that they're willing to pay high prices for the vehicles.

According to data from Polk Research, the average age of a car on the road is now 10.6 years, up from 9.8 in 2007. That can partially be attributed to the economy, but another factor is that cars are simply lasting longer. Automakers have really stepped up their long-term reliability, meaning it's not necessary to switch models every few years.

That said, there's no telling how long these good prices will last. Manheim predicts that prices will fall off again in approximately two months. Leasing also became more popular during the recession, so the end of three-year leases will likely mean a large influx of used cars.

If you're looking to trade your vehicle, New Jersey State Auto Auction is a great choice. They offer fantastic prices that are often well above the Kelley Blue Book value and can get you a great deal on a new car as well.