The auto industry is reeling from the economic downturn with GM announcing the end of the Saturn line along with most of Pontiac. But according to Wired magazine, there are a number of other cars that should die as well.

Although Chrysler has said it will soon be rid of the PT Crusier, Wired says it shouldn’t stop there and suggests offing the Dodge Nitro which it says looks rugged and tough, but has a “puny” engine under the hood.

Another vehicle ready for the scrapheap is the Chevy Avalanche whose demise – it says – should be obvious to Chevrolet based on horrible sales figures.

“Even three years before $4 a gallon gas, sales of the Avalanche began falling faster than, well, an avalanche,” writes Wired. “From a 2002 high of nearly 90,000 trucks sold, a mere 35,003 Avalanches made it off the lot in 2008.”

However there are some good used cars drivers should look to when making a purchase. According to Consumer Reports, Honda and Toyota dominated their list of the most reliable used cars with the Honda Civic and Toyota Echo leading the list of best small cars.

Find New York Used Cars with New Jersey State Auto.

It appears that the downturn in the economy has changed many Americans outlook on the automobile with a growing number investing in used cars over new.

Dow Jones reports that the increase in the sale of used cars may be having a negative effect on automakers as more and more Americans find it unnecessary to look at new cars for reliability and safety.

“People no longer feel they have to have the nicest, newest car on the road,” Jesse Toprak, an analyst at Edmunds told the news provider. “They’re realizing that the used cars of today are not the used cars of a few years ago, and that realization is not positive for new car sales.”

The number of people moving to used cars is only expected to increase. Tom Webb, chief economist with Manheim Consulting told Dow Jones that the leases of 2.6 million cars and trucks are expected to come due this year, meaning an influx of late model used cars onto the market.

Used cars have also seen their prices drop over the last year. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, the prices of used cars across the board dropped in 2008.

Find New York Used Cars with New Jersey State Auto.

Family-friendly features to look for in used cars

When looking for a new vehicle, families on a tight budget might be in the market for a used car to ease the financial burden. MSN Autos says there are some features every family should be on the look-out for.

From safety to entertainment, even used cars today have a number of family-friendly features that can keep the kids occupied while easing parents’ minds.

Some of the latest features to save the sanity of parents and keep kids occupied during long trips are entertainment systems like rear seat DVD players and television.

For a few dollars a month, Chrysler vehicles equipped with Sirius Backseat TV can keep the children quiet as they watch programs from Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and the Disney Channel. The website says more mainstream channels like ESPN may be offered soon.

Another factor is safety. Most late model cars will come equipped with air bags, anti-lock brakes and stability control, but concerned parents can go the extra mile and look for cars with side curtain airbags and even a rearview camera which can help make sure the little ones are not behind the vehicle as you back up.

Earlier this month Edmunds reported that a half million people who would have normally purchased a new vehicle bought a used car in the past three months.

Find New York Used Cars with New Jersey State Auto.