Honda Motor Co

U.S. car sales just hit their highest level in four years, and that's good news for economy watchers. Falling unemployment, more cooperative lenders, and rising consumer confidence all contributed to the boom. So if you're looking to buy, what does this all mean for you?

Purchase price is just the beginning of what it costs to own a car. Depreciation, insurance and maintenance costs can vary widely between competing models. But is there any way to estimate all of that in advance? A few experts have taken a stab at it.

Not long ago, each time gas prices shot up and car buyers turned to more fuel-efficient models, the Detroit automakers would get hammered. Their lineups favored gas-hogs, and their smaller models left much to be desired. Oh, how times have changed.

Despite its troubles in recent years, Toyota retained its crown in Consumer Reports' annual survey of auto-brand perception, but the survey also showed that Ford is rapidly closing the gap, and other brands aren't far behind.

Ferris Bueller used to desire the 1961 Ferrari 250GT California -- but we all have to grow up sometime. On Super Bowl Sunday, Matthew Broderick will play hookey in a new Honda CR-V: It is so choice. If you have the means, he highly recommends picking one up.

There was nothing wrong with the old Ford Fusion. In fact, it had its best sales year ever in 2011. It's a good-looking, high-quality sedan and a good value. But when Ford took the wraps off the new Fusion this week, it had been transformed from a good hybrid to a deluxe hottie.

GM made $2.2 billion in North America in the third quarter, but it couldn't expand on that number with earnings abroad. Now the bailed out, revamped and much-improved automaker has to find a way to make Europe profitable -- because the Continent is essential to its global operations.