Motor Trend's Best Buys In Used Cars/Trucks/Minivans/Suvs

For some people, nothing can beat the thrill of a new car. But the distinctive look, feel, and smell notwithstanding, when it comes to maximizing transportation dollars, nothing can touch the value of a quality, pre-owned vehicle. It's a simple fact of life that depreciation wreaks his most intensive havoc on the newest of the new. The first 100 feet traveled are generally the most cost-intensive in a vehicle's lifetime. So, by opting for a slightly used version, you can avoid the initial 20-30-percent devaluation hit and still end up with a year or more of comprehensive factory warranty. To that end, we've focused our attention on '98-model-year offerings. The following guide contains a host of suggestions on how you can make the most of this ultimate "price break"-and come away with a super deal in the process.

One thing is certain: This is a great time to be shopping the used market. Build quality and reliability have never been better, and, with '99 sales at an all-time record level, there's an abundance of late-model, high-quality vehicles with relatively low mileage available for the taking. With a bit of forethought and effort, you, too, can acquire a top-notch car, truck, or SUV that'll deliver cost-effective transportation for years to come.

The specific vehicles listed here represent a group of cars, trucks, minivans, and sport/utes we've judged to be standouts in their respective categories-and subsequently solid choices on the late-model used front. The dollar values in the charts were generated from the current "Kelley Blue Book Used Car Price Guide" and span the price of a base model in "Good" condition through a top-line version with premium powertrain in "Excellent" shape.

The Hows And Whys Of Buying A Used Vehicle1.Determine What You Want and NeedThere's only one person who really knows the type of car or truck that best fulfills your particular needs. Will it be a basic commuter or long-distance cruiser? Just for you or a carpool workhorse? Primary transport or weekend funrunner? Front-drive, rear-drive, all-wheel-drive? And what about engine/transmission types? Determining the vehicle's primary use is at the heart of any smart buying decision.

2.Set a Realistic BudgetEstablish early on just how much you can afford to spend-and how and where funding will come from. Start with an honest evaluation of your personal finances. As a rule, car payments should be no more than 15 percent of your monthly income. Keep in mind that the simplest way to reduce monthly outlay-and total investment-is to increase the initial down-payment amount.

3. Prearrange FinancingAlways shop for funding before you start shopping for hardware. Do some serious interfacing with your local financial institutions-banks, credit unions, or as a last resort, relatives-to see exactly what you might be able to borrow. Remember to figure associated costs into your calculations like sales tax, insurance, registration, and licensing.

4. Research The Prime CandidatesThe old axiom that "knowledge is power" remains acutely true in this realm. Doing your homework now can save lots of grief later. The Internet is a great place to find things like current values, recall histories, insurance costs, and relative reliability and safety ratings of any vehicle. A good newsstand or library will also yield similar information regarding the used market. Ask friends about personal experiences they may have had with vehicles you're considering.

5. Select A Specific VehicleAfter narrowing the field to one or two makes and models, start screening sheetmetal in earnest. Generally speaking, your choices will come from one of the following sources, listed in probable decreasing order of price: new-car dealers and/or their affiliated used-car lots, e-commerce sources, resale lots of major rental agencies, independent used-car dealers, or private sellers. Plan to visit at least several of these operations. Ask to see title and service records of any particularly promising candidates.