AC

Despite all the talk about small cars, many used car buyers are thinking big again. Used small cars are taking the biggest hits on value in the resale market, Kelley Blue Book says. Even the once-hot, tiny Smart ForTwo is suffering, KBB says. "It's part of a larger trend that's been happening all year," says Alec Gutierrez, a senior market analyst for KBB. "Some of the weakest segments are subcompact, compact and hybrids." The trend reflects, for one thing, that gas prices seem relatively low and stable. A gallon of regular went for $2.55 on average nationally Thursday, down 8 cents from $2.63 a month ago and $3.86 a year ago, AAA reports. And it shows that Americans may not be so quick to embrace smaller new vehicles the federal government is mandating — if they cost more. The administration proposed Tuesday requiring an industry average for new vehicles equivalent to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, a goal that will mean more smaller vehicles with more costly technology. Prices...