Cars.com Launches 2008 Lifestyle Buying Guide

CHICAGO, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Cars.com has launched 2008 Lifestyle Buying Guide. Initially launched in 2007, the guide was developed to help shoppers identify the right car for them based on their lifestyle needs, whether they're looking to purchase a new car for a growing family, one for weekend fun or a set of wheels that can withstand the rigors of a long commute. Unlike other guides focused on body style, it offers buyers a fresh approach to the car shopping process.

"The Lifestyle Buying Guide is unique in that it lets shoppers search for cars across categories, comparing everything from trucks and SUVs to minivans and sedans to identify the vehicle that best meets their needs," said Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen. "With so many choices in today's market, and more features and options to consider, many consumers don't know whether they want an SUV, a crossover vehicle or a sedan. Cars.com has the tools they need to make the right decision."

The Lifestyle Buying Guide features expert picks from Cars.com's editors for the best family cars, work cars, play cars and eco-friendly cars. Picks in a variety of sub-categories such as small families, commuters, and off-roaders, make it easy for shoppers to pinpoint cars that meet their particular needs. All selections are based on the Cars.com review team's experience in dozens of test drives and their evaluation of criteria most important to shoppers in each lifestyle category.

In addition to recommended vehicles from the experts at Cars.com, the Lifestyle Buying Guide also offers visitors a Lifestyle Criteria search tool that allows shoppers to retrieve a list of all available new cars that are right for them, based on their customized lifestyle criteria.

"The unique thing about the Lifestyle Buying Guide search tool is that it allows consumers to get very specific with their needs," Olsen said. "If you're in construction, for instance, and need a truck to carry a certain payload, the Lifestyle search tool will allow you to find the trucks that can do that."

About Cars.com

Partnered with more than 200 leading metro newspapers, television stations and their websites, Cars.com (http://www.cars.com/) is the most comprehensive destination for those looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site lists more than 2 million vehicles from 15,000 dealer customers, classified advertisers and private parties to offer consumers the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of car shoppers connect with sellers each month.

Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC, which is owned by leading media companies, including Belo , Gannett Co., Inc. , The McClatchy Company , Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company .