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KIPLINGER'? �
<br />*Personal Finance Adviser
<br />DECEMBER 2005 ■ IDEAS TO ACT ON NOW
<br />The best cars for 2006
<br />With hundreds of 2006 models vying for your attention, it's tough to narrow the
<br />choices. But if you're in the market for a new set of wheels, Kiplinger s 55th
<br />annual buyer's guide should help. We sized up more than 400 vehicles based on
<br />performance, value and real -world driving impressions to find the best of this
<br />year's offerings. Best in class among cars priced under $18,000 is the Volkswagen
<br />New Beetle. The Lexus LS 430 scores highest in the over-$45,000 luxury -car cate-
<br />gory. Other winners include the Hyundai Sonata (among cars in the $18,000 to
<br />$23,000 range), the Mini Cooper S convertible ($23,000 to $30,000) and the Acura
<br />TL ($30,000 to $45,000). The Chevrolet Corvette places first among sports cars,
<br />and the Honda Pilot takes top honors among crossover SUVs. For more winners,
<br />including awards for fuel efficiency and safety in each category, visit www
<br />.kiplinger.com/links/carguide2006. You'll also find car -shopping tools and tips.
<br />Railroads are on track to higher profits
<br />0;1th all the freight business they can handle plus a newfound ability to .raise their
<br />rates, railroads have been reborn as a growth industry. A decade ago, few retail
<br />goods moved by rail from U.S. factories. But now, because of high fuel costs and
<br />a shortage of long-distance truck drivers, railroads handle more of the long hauls
<br />and trucks deliver the goods to final destinations. Imports from Asia should contin-
<br />ue, to fuel the intermodal business. Railroads' biggest advantage, though, is their
<br />ability to haul bulk commodities, such as coal, and large objects that can't be
<br />shipped as efficiently any other way. The market hasn't ignored railroads' recently
<br />soaring profits, but with the freight business booming, it may not be too late to
<br />invest. To participate in the industry's rebirth, consider high -quality operators such
<br />as Burlington Northern Santa Fe (symbol BNI) and Norfolk Southern (NSC):
<br />Enter our dream job contest
<br />If the job you're in is not the job you dream of, it may be time to make a change.
<br />But that's often easier said than done. The Kiplinger/Dream In You "Dream Job"
<br />contest may be your chance. Tell us about your ideal job. If you're one of the three
<br />winners, you'll receive a prize package that includes career counseling from the
<br />consulting firm Dream In You plus advice from celebrity mentors and tips on
<br />financial and tax strategies to help with the transition to a new career. You'll also
<br />receive a new home -office computer and $5000 in cash. If your dream is to start
<br />your own business, you'll get legal advice and a corporate identity package,
<br />•including brochures, Web site design and business cards. To enter, and for more
<br />details, go to www.ldplinger.com/dreamjob by Jan. 6, 2006.
<br />True Cosr of Hybrids
<br />High gas prices mean many car.::
<br />buyer$ are checking ouf•model& ,. .
<br />.with good fuel efficiency, includ- .
<br />•ing;gas�electric hytirids..Going;;•;
<br />hybrid comes at a.price; howev-
<br />er;You'Il-typically pay a $3000
<br />'�p�emium fora hyti�idve�sus its • °
<br />coniientional gas e engirie:coun-
<br />te�paCt Ahd�Som°dealers take -
<br />:_�. advantage of the high demand:
<br />.to,fack'ori _big markups: B_ut does
<br />'a •IiyprcJ's fuel ecorio" ••, my= rrielie'up •
<br />for:its`add'ed costs? FinanNallv=:':
<br />�'spei ing;'rio' You"'won`t get jroiir,-
<br />savings back at tiie pump'af Y
<br />€oday's qas prices, according to
<br />�; a"study by Edmunds'com'
<br />;fob some`people; the feel -good'
<br />factor is, if not priceless;;at least`
<br />�'worth'�a few grand:'AncJ tail. � •��
<br />incentves'make the'matfi more
<br />frientlly'. If you buy a hybrid in .
<br />2005;:yo4can claim•a $2000
<br />deductigriyori _your tax;:return:•
<br />.��:The taxsavings will.tie even; ..; , �,,.;•
<br />more•attctive for 2001.
<br />.'converts to a more veluable`tax'
<br />credit: The enact a-moz U.-ni of the .
<br />'i credit•depends`on,mil`eage fig •
<br />fires for -2006 mod_ els •(it` will
<br />range�from•about $650 #o'r the;
<br />Accord:l lybrid.to $3150 for.. the' '
<br />'.Toyota Prius) You may hay'e
<br />head that the•credit-phase'sbut
<br />after'a manufacturer has sold-: °
<br />60,000 liyb.rids, but don't worry
<br />;`about rushing to the showroom..
<br />i.W-January:lt's unlikely, that the. -
<br />iieeie will begin to apply
<br />15ef6re`200.7.''
<br />A monthly editorial supplement
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