Archive for November, 2009

When it comes to luxury sports cars, the field is narrowly defined by a few stellar performers. What makes a true luxury sports car? The answer is simple: speed, handling, looks and luxury. Everything else is just gingerbread – and, of course, you get a lot of that with luxury. None of this comes cheap, [...]

Looking for a little zip in a 4-cylinder car? When buying used, that generally means looking at more compact than midsize or larger, and coupes rather than sedans or SUVs. And there’s a lot to be said for personal taste, since not everyone wants to drive around in a high-performing 4-cylinder car if its other [...]

Besides tuition, room and board and spending money, another item high on the list for college students is wheels. You simply have to be able to get around – hopefully in something a bit stylish (and economical). Finding such attributes in a used vehicle isn’t so tough after all, with all the great choices available [...]

Luxury carmaker BMW (Bavarian Motor Works) is world-renowned for crafting luxury vehicles, each of which, according to its advertising slogan is “the ultimate driving machine.” With a roster of distinctive wagons, sedans, coupes, sports cars and SUVs, it’s hard to pick the best – that all depends on taste, and how deep your pockets are. [...]

When luxury, style and comfort, not to mention prestige, are primary considerations in a luxury SUV, there are many very good used choices available today. How to choose? We go to the experts (Edmunds, Consumer Guide, U.S. News & World Report, Car and Driver, Kelley Blue Book and others) and pick out these three worthy [...]

Another alternative to hybrids is clean diesel cars. No longer smelly and belching black fumes, today’s diesel cars are 50-state certified to the cleaner emissions standards. With new models expected to arrive in the next couple of years, there are still some attractive used diesel cars available for the serious shopper intent on a good [...]

Looking for the cheapest trucks, the least expensive, lowest price trucks you can find? Your best bet is a good used truck that’s only a few years old. Selecting a 2008 or 2009 used truck with few frills – but ample power for your needs – should give you a lot of truck for the [...]

Quick, name the automakers that build 4-door trucks. There are quite a lot of them, actually, so maybe it’s better to concentrate on overall class size first, and then number of doors. There are small or compact pickup trucks, midsize ones and full-size or large pickups. You can buy a 4-door version of all of [...]

What is a Mom car, anyway? As a mother myself, I can tell you it isn’t some dowdy econobox that causes other cars to zoom past you on the freeway while casting a derogatory look in your direction. Nope, moms want and deserve a little style and performance along with safety and plenty of room. [...]

2 door cars or coupes, are very popular choices for first-time buyers, younger drivers and those looking for an affordable, attractive alternative to 4-door sedans, wagons or SUVs. They are particularly appropriate if you don’t really need extra space for other family members, and you like the sportier style of a coupe. What 2-door cars [...]

When shopping for a good used car seems more like a chore than it should be, consider what it is you really need in the way of wheels and refine your search accordingly. If a reliable, good-looking and affordable used V6 cars is in your sights, here are three picks that you should seriously consider. [...]

Long noted for exceptional reliability, strong resale values and high quality fit and finish, you can’t go wrong with a Honda, it seems. And as some of the most popular-selling vehicles in America, there are plenty of used Hondas out there worthy of consideration. Here are three of the Best Used Honda Cars – chosen [...]

Safety features should be your first consideration when it comes to the best cars for young drivers – since they don’t have that many years of experience behind the wheel. Newer used cars have more standard safety features, but choose vehicles that have electronic stability control, side curtain air bags and good crash test ratings [...]

All-wheel drive (AWD) cars provide great security and confidence – and a bit of off-road capability. But AWD cars can also be pricey compared to front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD) models. Buying used can solve this problem. Which used AWD cars are the best? This list of the Top 3 Best Used AWD [...]

Just because it’s a sedan doesn’t mean it has to be stodgy. Automakers have really stepped up their game in recent years to offer consumers the latest technological advances in the all-important family sedan category. And, that also translates to creature comforts, styling and performance. What else do you look for in a sedan? Besides [...]

Choosing a used SUV means getting the most you can for the money. Add in reliability, safety, features, comfort and pizzazz and you’ve got a real winner – if you do your homework. Look for one about 3 to 4 years old, has excellent history, good reliability and warranty – and a great price. Road [...]

It’s true that what’s old is new again, whether you’re talking fashion or cars. Before there were SUVs, before there were minivans, there were station wagons. Somewhere along the line, the wagon got a bad rap and disappeared mostly from the automotive landscape. Instead of the old woodies of years past, trends shifted to the [...]