Consumers are delaying big purchases -- big time.

A ChangeWave consumer spending survey reveals a massive breakdown in the willingness of consumers to buy big-ticket items.

In the survey of 2,763 U.S. consumers, completed Nov. 3, 21% of respondents said they have delayed or canceled a major planned purchase in the past 90 days.

What are the top big ticket items consumers have put on hold?

Here's the not-so-fab five:

It's no surprise that autos top the list.

As one respondent said, "Both of my cars have 80K miles. Usually I would be replacing one of them, but I'm delaying that decision due to the state of the economy."

Last month on BloggingStocks, I wrote about a site that is an absolute must-read before you go and buy a car. Now CNN/Money has a list of their 5 mistakes to avoid when shopping for a car:

• Don't fall in love with a car.
• Avoid super-long car loans.
• Negotiate the price of the car you're buying first ... THEN negotiate the value of your trade-in.
• Avoid negotiating in person.
• Don't get hoodwinked by a sweet deal on the outgoing model year.

To these tips I would add one: Avoid getting a car loan if a loan is necessary. In other words, pick a car that you can afford to pay for with cash. If you can get a super-low interest rate deal, go for it. But pick out your car as though were paying in cash. If you can't afford to pay cash, that means you probably can't afford the car.

I realize that this may stick you in a '95 Pontiac rather than a '05 Porsche, but you'll thank me in the long run. If you ever watch the Can I afford it? segment on the Suze Orman Show, you've noticed that the people with car loans are always the ones in financial trouble.

I may never hear the word "depreciate" without thinking of the late great Michael Hutchence and the INXS half-single, "Mediate." Anyway...

After consulting Kelly Blue Book, arguably the expert on the subject of used cars, Forbes released its list of the eight worst new-model vehicles in terms of projected depreciation. Claiming the dubious top spot is the Buick Ranier SUV. With a base price of $32,285, the vehicle, made by General Motors (NYSE:GM), is expected to retain just 42% of its value after two years. Five years out, the Ranier will be worth about 26% of its purchase price. The Dodge Caravan Minivan, a DaimlerChrysler (NYSE:DCX) vehicle that I'm fairly certain half of my new-Mom friends have purchased in the past 12 months, starts with a base of $19,770 but will keep just 41% of this value 24 months later. Third is the Dodge Durango SUV (pictured, right), with a base price of $27,055 and projected value retention of 38% after two years.

Rounding out the top eight:

• Ford (NYSE:F) Crown Victoria Sedan
• Ford E-Series Van
• Kia Amanti Sedan
• Kia Spectra Compact
• Ford Mercury Grand Marquis

Stay tuned for tips on smart shopping for a vehicle that won't utterly disappoint when it becomes time to trade it in ...

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.