KBB.com asked visitors to its car-shopping website last week what sort of shifter they preferred.

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The KBB survey results come as some analysts suggest that gas prices may have already hit their peak for the year.

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To help consumers make more cash-sensible car-buying decisions, KBB recently announced its annual Total Cost of Ownership Awards in 22 separate vehicle classes.

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"What they might be doing is spending thousands of dollars to save hundreds, " says Jack Nerad, the executive director of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

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Among brands, KBB cites Mazda as offering the lowest overall ownership costs in the industry, with Lexus beating the competition in that regard among luxury automakers.

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KBB.com dug through the myriad offers in popular categories to come up with the best purchase and lease deals available on well-equipped small and mid-sized cars and crossovers.

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