As nice as it would be for IFCAR to offer every bit of available automotive information, it is obviously impossible. Here is a sample of recommended alternative sources of information:

Inside Line, managed by Edmunds.com, offers detailed reviews and comparison tests that are typically clearly written and well-illustrated. Their reviews include First Drives (initial impressions of a vehicle that is either not yet on sale or just arrived on the market), Full Tests (more detailed and thorough evaluations based on more experience with a vehicle), Comparison Tests (essentially back-to-back Full Tests with a point system that determines the winner), and Long-Term Tests (impressions of a vehicle that is bought and owned over an extended period of time).

Consumer Guide reviews all cars in the same way, in a simple, clear format with a 1-10 rating for each of ten categories, and information about that score. They also include all pricing and specs on the same page as the review. Their "Value" rating is essentially their overall rating, which is factored in alongside actual vehicle specifics to create what is often a skewed final numerical score, so be aware.

Consumer Reports is one of the best available resources for auto reviews. CR buys all of its test vehicles and evaluates them over several months. Their reviews are clear, detailed, and precise, and contain the results to their annual reliability survey. Unfortunately, much of their information is available only to subscribers to their website or magazine, or to those who buy their books.

Car and Driver is targeted at and caters to the auto enthusiast market more than the average consumer. As such, they tend to prefer sportier vehicles and sometimes vehicles that perform better on a track than on the roads. However, their reviews are enjoyable to read and their comparison tests, though numerically based and increasingly short, are generally well-explained and informative.

TrueDelta offers links to well-written and informative reviews by its own site developer on Epinions.com (a list of the most recent reviews and a drop-down list of all cars reviewed is on the right-hand side of the linked page). TrueDelta is also currently collecting vehicle reliability data, which will be offered free to those who sign up to provide it (highly recommended).

Many automobile websites offer vehicle equipment listings or build-your-own features. But these three sites go a step further and include real-world pricing estimates along with MSRP and invoice prices, and manufacturer rebates. IFCAR.net uses CarsDirect's prices for its own comparison tests, but all three provide good information. It makes sense to check all three to get an idea for the relative pricing of cars you are considering.

TrueDelta does not make real-world pricing estimates, but has a unique price comparison system that accounts for differences in vehicle equipment. Factoring in rebates, it clearly shows the price difference between any two vehicles, automatically selecting the most comparable versions and accounting for any differences in their features, in MSRPs, invoice prices, and even estimated monthly payments.

Edmunds features multiple photos of almost every car sold, possibly one of the largest general collections easily available. They now have also begun to incorporate pictures of different cars in the same variety of angles inside and out.

Though MSN Autos does not have as extensive a collection of photos as Edmunds, what they have is very well-done. Instead of a sampling of manufacturer photos and review illustrations, each car has a series of photographs of the same vehicle angles, inside and out. You can also compare two cars alongside each other.

The Car Connection features the latest automotive news in well-written, concise "Daily Editions", as well as longer articles and analyses, and a collection of spy photos of future vehicles. And unlike many of its competitors, TCC is completely free.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts three crash tests (the offset frontal, the side, and the 5-mph bumper tests), and evaluates head restraints on most new cars. Their easy-to-navigate site offers clear comparisons, and information about their tests.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires all cars in the United States to be able to pass a frontal and side-impact crash test. But its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) also tests many new cars sold in two separate, more-demanding frontal and side crash test, and also rates for rollover resistance, on scales of 1-5 stars.

Edmunds' used-vehicle site includes detailed pricing and specs for cars as old as 1990, but offers few reviews of older vehicles. However, it features True Market Value estimated pricing for all vehicles, and lets you easily search vehicles listed for sale.

Consumer Guide's used-vehicle site doesn't offer the detailed pricing and specs, but it does offer actual reviews of all cars as old as 1990. Another useful stop when shopping.

The Kelley Blue Book offers used car values that are important when selling or trading on your car, or buying a new one. They do not have listings of specifications or photographs, however.

Car and Driver's user forums are an excellent place to receive personalized recommendations based on your exact needs. It is free to browse and to register. Beware of brand-biased advice, however.

CarSPIN is not as heavily-populated as some others, but it is an excellent place to get advice from a small but active group of auto aficionados. The site also includes some articles about the automotive market.

AutomoBear offers cheerfully offbeat articles, photos, and analyses of cars and of the automotive industry, and presents it all in a rather unique way. However, it is aimed at automotive enthusiasts and industry insiders worldwide, not at the everyday American car buyer.