Our society loves cars and technology fairly equally, and it only makes sense that we'd eventually get around to putting the two together. Newer cars have hit the road with virtually no limit to the kind and amount of gadgets in, on and around them. For drivers looking to keep their cost of ownership down by keeping it simple, however, it may seem impossible to find a ride that just covers the basics with no bells and whistles. Fortunately, if you know what to look for, it's possible to find a car that is cost-effective and reliable.<\/p>\n
Skip the all-wheel drive<\/strong> All-wheel drive means that your car is heavier than it would be if it were a two-wheel drive model, meaning that you're going to take a hit to fuel efficiency. Specifically for around-town, stop-and-go driving, the extra cash you'll be spending at the pump outweighs the benefits of the feature. Front- or rear-wheel drive cars will leave you with more than sufficient power and acceleration without leaving you with a higher gas bill. According to Edmunds, your tires are far more important for traction than your drivetrain anyway.<\/p>\n
\nAnybody who's spent any amount of time shopping for a car will know that all-wheel drive is an oft-touted benefit that seems more and more common these days. Many are tempted to go that route – after all, all-wheel drive sounds like a great thing to have, right? However, for many, especially those who restrict their driving to around town, all-wheel drive is more of an unnecessary expense than a useful addition.<\/p>\n