Of course, the real answer as to what is the best car can vary, depending on your own personal needs, preferences, and finances. Some people place a great deal of importance on reliability. Others might think safety or cost is more important. And others might feel that the best car should have great looks and high performance. 

Many people believe that to get the best car, you must spend a lot of money — that the best cars are the most expensive one. Strangely, this is just not true. Actually, some of the best cars are the least expensive — and some of the most expensive cars are the least reliable and the least efficient.

One of the best automobiles, overall, is the Honda Civic. Why? Because it has the most perfect combination of all the factors that most car buyers look for — cost, fuel efficiency, reliability, cost of operation, cost of insurance, style, performance, resale value, riding comfort, luxury features, and handling.

Now, we know that the Honda Civic is not the best car for everyone. Some people need more interior room (try the Honda Accord sedan), or more performance, or more luxury, or more cargo space. Some people need a pickup truck. Others want a sports car or convertible. Some just want something other than a Honda (?).

There are certainly other alternative cars that offer the same or nearly the same qualities as the Civic. Following are some of those that have garnered “best car” nominations in their classes by respected automobile reviewers such as Consumer Reports, Motor Trend, Car & Driver, JD Power, and others. We list them here in no particular order.

• Hyundai Sonata
• Hyundai Elantra
• Hyundai Genesis
• Ford Fusion
• Ford Focus
• Ford Taurus
• Honda Fit
• Honda Civic
• Toyota Prius
• Toyota Camry
• Nissan Altima
• Mini Cooper
• Scion tC
• Mazda MX-5 Miata
• Mazda5
• Toyota RAV4
• Honda CR-V
• Acura TSX

Notice that Ford is the only American car maker in our list. Ford has made tremendous strides in improved quality, reliability, and styling.

In summary, the best cars are those with the best combination of qualities that most automotive consumers are looking for.

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Independent Used-Car Dealers – Independent used-car lots are a potential source of affordable cheap second hand cars. Many lots have older vehicles that can be real bargains, but might require a little work. You should take care to determine if the price is fair and that the vehicle has no hidden problems. Most used cars are sold “as-is” and come without any kind of warranty or return policy. Check out local used-car lots in your area but also consider large national or regional used-car dealers such as CarMax.

New-Car Dealer Used Car Lots - Many new-car dealers also sell pre-owned cars. Most new-car dealers only offer relatively late model used vehicles that have been taken in trade or are off-lease, and are in good condition — and are relatively expensive. But bargains can be found. Therefore, it doesn’t hurt to check out local new-car dealers but also look at other sources listed below. Some new-car dealers sell “certified” used cars — at a higher price. These cars have been inspected thoroughly and come with a short guarantee.

Buy-Here-Pay-Here (BHPH) Dealers – BHPH dealers are a different kind of used-car dealer that provides in-house financing, usually with no credit check. Most BHPH dealers are local and can be recognized by their “we finance anyone” or “no credit check” banners. Be aware that interest rates are usually very high and payment terms are strict. See “Should I Buy From a Buy-Here-Pay-Dealer Car Dealer” for more details.

Special Promtional Deals on New Cars- Don’t overlook this year’s (or last year’s) brand new cars as a potential source of good bargains. There are currently tons of heavy rebates and other incentives being offered by car manufacturers, especially on American brands, and especially on last year’s models, that can often make certain new cars less expensive than used cars of the same make and model. See New Car Rebates and Incentives.

Used Cars Online – Although the Internet is a good potential way to find cheap cars, take extra caution due to the possibility of getting scammed. If a deal seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. Craigslist and Autotrader are particularly frequented by scam artists. We recommend sticking with sites such eBay Motors, which has a buyer protection program (only for cars puurchased through the eBay site) and UsedCars.com, the Internet’s largest used car buying service, with over a half a million used car listings.

Lease a New Car – If your goal is simply to get low monthly car payments, leasing a new car can be 30% to 60% less expensive than buying the same car with a loan – cut your payments in half. This allows you to drive a brand new car for the same or less money than you might spend on a late model used car. However, be sure to read the free Lease Guide before you make a decision to lease. It’s cheap but may not right for everyone.         

Take Over a Car Lease - Take over a cheap car lease from someone who needs to get out of their lease early. Online services such as Swapalease offer car lease takeovers at bargain prices. These are almost-new cars being offered by sellers who are often desperate to get out of their leases. These can be excellent deals. It is the cheapest way to drive a almost-new car.

Government Car Auctions – This is an often overlooked source of cheap cars and trucks. Local, state, and federal government and law enforcement agencies frequently auction surplus and seized vehicles. Outstanding bargains are possible. To participate, you have to know where and when the auctions take place, and how to bid. See Government Auto Auctions for more details.

Damaged and Salvage Cars – Cars that have been damaged or salvaged can be a good source of cheap cars. See Damaged Cars for Sale for more details.  Salvage Auctions and Repossessed Car Auctions are other possible sources of cheap cars and project cars for sale. Obviously, a lot of caution must be taken to make sure you know exactly what you’re buying but, if done correctly, some great deals can be had this way.

Police Seized Property and Surplus Auctions – Law enforcement agencies seize and impound vehicles from law-breakers and sell them at public Police Impound Auctions, for bargain prices. Many are high-end late-model luxury vehicles in perfect condition. These agencies also sell Surplus Vehicles that are being replaced with newer vehicles. These auctions are conducted regularly and are open to the public.

Rebuildable Wrecked Cars – If you have mechanical skills, Buying and Rebuilding a Wrecked Car can be a way to a cheap ride. Cars that have been declared total losses by insurance companies can often be purchased as salvage vehicles and project cars for almost nothing. Many of these vehicles have little damage and can be rebuilt and restored to good running order for little money.

Unclaimed and Abandoned Car Auctions – Cities and towing companies pick up unclaimed abandoned vehicles every day from the sides of streets, highways, and parking lots. They try to find the owners, but if they can’t, the cars are sold at auction, often for almost nothing. The cars can range from junkers to almost-new vehicles. See our article, How to Find and Buy Unclaimed Cars.

If you are looking for a good cheap car, start with the suggestions above and remember to take extra caution to make sure you don’t get scammed and that you get what you pay for. Used cars are sold “as-is” which means that you have no right to get your money back once the sale has been made. It’s always a good idea to have your car inspected by a qualified mechanic before you make the purchase.

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We wondered about that question too. Are there certain cars that most people are buying, asking about, seeking information about, and asking for pricing on? What car makes and models are most popular? Are they the best cars to buy?

Well, we went to one of the most-visited used-car web sites, UsedCars.com, and found such a list. Actually, the site compiles a real-time list of the makes and models that their site visitors most often request information about, which is an indicator of the most popular cars.

The most-popular car list can change from day to day, but not by much. A vehicle that is #1 today might fall to #2 tomorrow, and vice versa, because the rankings depend on what online visitors to their web site are asking about and searching for on any particular day.  

Here’s the current list of most popular used cars at the time of this writing:

Notice that Honda is on top. Why? Because Honda is the most reliable brand of automobile. Used Honda cars will continue to run reliably almost forever if maintained properly.

The Ford F-150 is next. It’s the best selling make/model new vehicle of all time. No wonder it’s also in the top three of used cars too.

Toyota is just behind Honda in reliability and high-resale value, so it is no surprise the popular Camry model is on the list. Other Toyota models are popular too.

Then there’s the Ford Explorer, the most popular SUV, and the Ford Mustang, the most popular affordable performance car.

Finally, there are the Nissan Maxima and Altima, high in reliability and resale value, just not quite as high as Honda and Toyota. But many people like Nissan’s styling, particularly young people, better than Honda and Toyota.

Where to buy

If you prefer buying your used car from an individual private seller, you can find them in newspaper classifed ads, in free “auto trader” magazines at your local auto parts store or supermarket, and online on the Internet. We suggest you also look on eBay.com at their list of .

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First time car buyers have a choice of buying a brand new car, or buying a used car. Which is better?

There are advantages and disadvantages to either choice. Most people would rather have a brand new car with its new-car smell and latest style, but there are reasons that a new car might not be the best choice. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of buying new and buying used.

Advantages of Buying New

• You get a brand new car with new-car feel and smell
• You get the latest style and technology
• You get the latest safety equipment
• You get a full manufacturer’s warranty
• You get Lemon Law protection
• You get lowest loan interest rates, if you qualify
• You get the option to lease
• You may get special manufacturer-sponsored pricing and financing

Disadvantages of Buying New

• Value of a new car depreciates rapidly
• Insurance rates may be higher than used
• Taxes may be higher

Advantages of Buying Used

• You avoid the high first-year depreciation of value
• If you buy almost-new, you may get same styling and technology as new car, at a lower price
• You get price flexibility by choosing between different model years, mileage, and condition
• You may buy “certified” vehicles with inspection and warranty – at higher cost
• You get lower insurance costs than same new model
• You get lower sales tax and personal property tax

Disadvantages of Buying Used

• You buy “as-is” unless some manufacturer warranty remains
• Lemon laws don’t apply to used cars
• You may be buying someone else’s problem, unless you have your vehicle inspected
• You risk buying a wrecked or salvage vehicle, unless you run a CARFAX Vehicle History Report
• You typically don’t have a lease option
• You pay higher interest rates
• You may get fewer safety features

 Summary

To summarize, buying a used car can be a better value for your money but it comes with higher risks.

If you are looking for cheap used cars, read the article Finding Cheap Cars for suggestions on where and how to find them.

Find already-discounted used cars at dealers in your area at UsedCars.com, the largest online used car source.

For online pre-discounted prices on new cars, see Yahoo! Autos . Price quotes are free and easy. Get multiple quotes so that you can compare deals.

Any used car purchase should include an extensive test drive, an inspeciton by a qualified mechanic, and a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. Also consider buying an extended warranty.

If you’re considering an almost-new vehicle, make sure you can’t get the same vehicle, new, at about the same price, which can happen if the manufacturer is offering special promotional deals. See Best Car Deals for cars that currently have special incentives, rebates, and low-interest loans.

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Expressed another way, the question is this: Is it smarter, more practical, and more economical for me to keep and fix my old car than to buy another car, new or used?

This is always a tough one to answer. Generally, it’s going to be better to fix up an old car than buy a new car every five years or so.

However, the real answer depends on your particular circumstances. Here are some tips that will help you make a decision.

How old is your vehicle?

Older, high-mileage vehicles are more likely than newer vehicles to have problems. There are exceptions, of course. Older vehicles also tend to have more serious problems, such as engine and transmission failures, that are expensive to repair.

Is your old car breaking down frequently?

If your car is generally unreliable and is causing you inconvenience and unexpected costs, you may want a newer car that is more dependable and predictable. If your car has a long history of problems, it is not likely to end soon. You may find greater peace-of-mind and fewer suprise repair expenses with another car.

Does your old car need repairs now?

If so, how much is it going to cost to make the repairs? Will the repairs really fix the problems, or will they just temporarily patch the problems? Is it likely that these will be the only repairs needed for a while? Can you afford the cost? If you were to sell or trade the vehicle, could you recover the cost?

How safe is your old car?

Older cars have fewer safety features than new cars. There’s always the chance that an older car’s safety equipment doesn’t work properly. Do the airbags still work? Is the ABS still protecting you? Has your car been structurally damaged in an accident? A newer car may bring fewer worries about safety.

Can you afford to buy a newer vehicle?

Can you pay cash? Would you need a loan? Do you want a new loan and monthly payments? How much can you afford in monthly payments? Can you afford to buy a car that is substantially newer and better than your old car? Can you afford possible higher insurance rates and taxes? Does your old car have enough resale or trade value to help with the cost of a newer car?

Do you want a new vehicle?

Most people would answer yes to this question — but many don’t want new car payments, or a depleted savings account either. The stronger “want” wins. If you decide you need (want) a brand new car, be sure to check with Yahoo! Autos for pre-discounted prices at local dealers.

What are you really looking for?

What’s most important to you in making your fix-versus-buy decision?  Lowest cost solution? Easiest solution? More dependable transportation? More peace-of-mind? Fewer surprise breakdowns and costs? Do you have an emotional attachment to the old car? Or are you simply trying to squeeze the last remaining value out of your old car before discarding it?

Reasons to keep and fix your old car

You are frugal and don’t like being wasteful

Your car is less than 10 years old and has less than 150,000 miles

Your car has only minor problems that are not expensive to repair

Your car has been generally reliable and problem-free

You have always liked your old car

You can’t reasonably afford a newer car

You don’t like the idea of a new loan and monthly payments

Reasons to replace your old car

Your car is more than 10 years old and has more than 150,000 miles

The cost to repair your old car exceeds its value

You would like fewer unexpected breakdowns and repair costs

You want updated safety equipment

You don’t like your old car

You can reasonably afford a newer car

Make a decision – or not

Fix or replace? One decision you can make is……..to not make a decision. At least, not now. You can simply stick with your old car until it finally dies a natural death, at which point you’ll be forced to make a decision.

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Most of us get our first car as teenagers. It’s the car we’ll always remember.

Let’s take a look at some of the important questions you’ll want to consider when deciding about what you’ll buy as your first car, how you’ll pay for it, and how to go about the purchase.

How much can you spend?

If cost is not important and you can choose practically any car you want, we’ll get to you later. However, most teens have restrictions on how much they can spend. It might be that parents are buying and have set a price limit, or that you have your own budget and limited income.

Since most teens start driving before they become of legal age to sign a car loan contract, it’s typical to pay cash for their first car. The cash can come from savings, gifts from relatives, or a loan from parents — or a combination. Usually, it’s not enough money for a brand new car, but possibly sufficient for a good used car.

The amount of money you have to spend on your first car will directly affect your choices. Lots of money, lots of choices. Little money, fewer choices. In general, the more money you spend, the better the car — better condition, better mileage, better performance, better safety, and better reliability.

If I only have $2000 or $3000?

Two or three thousand dollars is not very much money for an automobile. It’s certainly not impossible to find a good used car for that price range but it will require a lot of searching and legwork, particularly if you restrict yourself to only certain makes and models. Most cars in this range will be junk. Your job is to find the jewel in the pile of junk. Don’t become over-anxious. Take your time. You’ll be glad you did.

The following article, Cheap Cars, explains where and how to look for inexpensive cars. This information should be a great help to you in your search.

Needless to say, any car you find should be thoroughly test driven and inspected by a qualified mechanic before you buy.  Do not take the word of the seller regarding a car’s history or condition.

Also think about the additional money you’ll need for insurance, taxes, oil, gas, tires, and repairs. Insurance for young drivers can easily be the most expensive part of car ownership. Will your funds or income take care of these additional costs?

What can I buy with $15,000?

Buyers with more money to spend have more choices. With $15,000 or more, you have the option to buy either a new car or used car.

A number of new makes and models fall into this price range, such as the Kia Spectra, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Scion xB and xD, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Yaris.

Good used cars in this price range that are no older than 2000 year models are: Honda (Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element), Nissan (Altima, Maxima), Toyota (Camry, Corolla, Highlander, RAV4, Matrix), Mazda (MX-5 Miata), and Suraru (Impreza, Outback).

What if I have more than $15,000?

More money buys more car and more choices. Most new cars fall into the price range of $15,000 to $30,000. Consumer Reports magazine lists Toyota, Honda, Scion, Acura, Lexus, and Subaru as the top 5 brands in terms of reliability.

If you want to buy a previously owned car, you have many used luxury models to choose from. Lexus, Acura, and some BMW models are good used-car buys. Beware of Mercedes, many BMW models, Jaguar, Audi, and Land Rover. These makes have higher-than-average problem rates.

Can I get a loan?

Not unless you’re 18 years old (or older, in a few states). However, if you are at least 18, you may be able to get a loan. If you don’t yet have an established credit history, you may have to get a co-signer. A co-signer is usually a parent or family member with a good credit history who is willing to accept responsibility for your loan if you should fail to pay. A co-signer is not a co-buyer or co-owner. For more details, see the article, Can I Get a Car Loan.

What is a good first car?

Most teenagers choose smaller, more economical models such as the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. But tastes vary by region of the country and even by city. Car models that are considered not cool in one region may be well respected in another region. Peer approval is an important factor for teens when choosing a first car.

Generally speaking, Japanese cars will have higher quality, better reliability, and higher resale value than their American or European counterparts. There are exceptions, of course. The following article, Which Car Should I Buy?, makes some specific recommendations, based on your needs.

Should I buy new or used?

The amount of money you have to spend on your first car is a major factor in determining whether you buy a new car or a used, previously owned car. The cheapest new cars sell in the range of $13,000-$16,000. If your budget is smaller, or you don’t like the low-priced new cars, you’ll be looking at used cars. The following article, First Car: New or Used?, contains more details to help you make your decision.

Where is the best place to buy a car?

If you’re going to buy a brand new car, you’ll buy from an authorized automobile dealer who sells brands from one or more manufacturers. You can get free online price quotes at Yahoo! Autos . The prices are already discounted by local dealers. See the article, How to Buy a New Car, which gives you important tips and buying techniques. 

If you’ll be buying a used car, you have a choice of places to buy: from an individual, from an auction, from an independent used-car dealer, or a new-car dealer who has a used-car lot. You can browse local newspapers, free “autotrader” magazines at your local supermarket, used-car consignment lots, online at Craigslist.org, , or Autotrader.com. One of the best online sources of used cars is UsedCars.com. You simply plug in your ZIP code and the kind of car you want, and you get back a detailed list of cars in your area, with prices.

What’s important to you?

Consider the things that are most important in the car you want. Is it style and looks? Is it performance and speed? Is it safety? Reliability and dependability? Cost of operation and gas mileage? Room enough for friends? Coupe, sedan, convertible, small SUV, large SUV, or truck? Color? Certain features, such as premium sound system?

Make a list of the things that are most important to you and use the list as you evaluate cars. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of good sense. If your budget prevents you from getting your dream car, remember that you will be able to afford better cars later. Be patient and don’t over-extend your finances.

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What is the best first car for a teenager? There are literally thousands of combinations of different automobile types, makes, models, styles, and prices, which can make it difficult to choose. However, we will help you determine the perfect car for your needs.

What is a good first car?  Which car is the best buy? Which is more reliable? Which gets the best gas mileage? Should I buy a SUV or pickup? Which car is safer? Which is more economical? Which is cheaper to insure?

What car should I buy as my first car?

If you were to ask this question and you gave no other information about yourself or what you wanted, I would suggest you buy either a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, two of the most popular first cars in America.

However, if you already know you don’t want a Honda or Toyota, stay with me. I’m not going to try to convince you that these are the only brands you should consider. I’m just using them as a starting point to help you choose the right car for you.

Why the Honda Accord  and Toyota Camry? Because these two cars have an almost ideal blending of all the following characteristics — the characteristics that most people want in a vehicle:

Honda/Toyota Benefits

• Excellent quality and reliability
• Attractive styling
• Easy handling
• Great performance
• Good gas mileage
• Outstanding safety rating
• Good value for the money
• Affordably priced
• Luxury features standard
• Roomy and comfortable
• Good cargo capacity
• High resale value retention

However, as good as the Accord and Camry are, they are not the right vehicles for everyone.

All of us have different likes, dislikes, needs, and finances. But if you have no idea what car you should buy, and are flexible as to the brand and model, and need a good starting point, these two vehicles are excellent candidates.

First time buyers like Honda Civic

One of the most popular cars for teenagers and other first-time buyers is the Honda Civic. It’s smaller and more economical than the Accord and it’s easy to find used models in good condition. Insurance rates are relatively low and it’s inexpensive to drive. It’s also very reliable and safe.

For those who like to customize their cars, there are thousands of after-market appearance and performance products for the Civic. Used Civics are affordable and reliable.

Other cars for first time buyers

The Kia Rio is a good choice with a base price of just $11,395. It is ranked high in quality and safety, and is very economical to drive. Beware of used Rio’s however. Have them inspected before you buy.

The Toyota Corolla is legendary for it’s dependability, great performance, quality, and lots of standard safety equipment. It’s the smaller sister to the Camry. Used models are usually in excellent shape and hold their value well.

The Mazda3 is popular with first time buyers because it looks good, is roomy, has good performance, low fuel cost, and doesn’t cost as much as other cars with similar features. Used models have excellent reliability.

Other cars, both new and used, that are popular with new teen drivers are the Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Mitsubishi Lancer, Ford Mustang, and Scion models.

What if I have different needs?

Using the Accord and Camry as a base of comparison, what would you want to be different?  Why doesn’t the Accord or Camry work for you? Do you need a different type of vehicle? Do you want a lower price? Do you need a smaller size? More performance or speed? Larger with more passenger and cargo capacity? More luxury? Sportier look?

Vehicle buying is a very personal experience. As such, it is almost impossible for us to tell you exactly which vehicle you should buy.There are many vehicle makes and models, and variations, called “trim levels”, within each model. And then there are options that can be added. The result is that there are thousands of different combinations from which to choose — which is a big part of the problem of deciding.

Recommendations as a first car
Certain vehicle makes and models consistently rank high in owner surveys and ratings. Here are our suggestions of recommended vehicles in different categories, based on overall quality, reliability, safety, performance, and value for the money:

Some of the factors that you should consider before making a final decision are in the following list. Rank them as to which are most important to you.

Important Factors in Making a Car Buying Decision

• Reliability / Dependability
• Safety Rating / Features
• Price – Rebates and Incentives
• Styling / Appearance
• Passenger and Cargo Capacity
• Comfort / Luxury Features
• Performance
• Resale Value and Depreciation Rate
• Operating Costs and Fuel Economy
• Routine Maintenance Costs
• Insurance Costs

The resulting prioritized list will help you in determining the vehicle that will best fit your needs.

My first car – new or used?

Even if you have the money or finances to buy a brand new car, it’s often smarter to buy used. But not always.

For example, in a tough economy such we are experiencing right now, car manufacturers and dealers are desperate to sell cars. As a result, most brand new cars currently have heavy incentives, rebates, low-interest loans, and large price discounts. This means that a current-year model car can often be purchased for less money than a used car of the very same make and model. See the following web site for a list of current new-car incentives and rebates:  Best Car Deals

See the following article for more advice about buying new cars versus buying used: Your First Car: New or Used?

Narrow your choices and get prices

Try to narrow down your list of cars to no more than three. Then research the cars on the Internet, shop at dealers or online listings, and finally make your decision.

If you are considering a brand new car, you can get pre-discounted online price quotes at Yahoo! Autos .

You can look at used cars online at dealers in your area at UsedCars.com. The prices are already discounted.

If you have credit problems, or no credit, look at Drivetime.com, a dealership that has locations around the country.

Caution for online car buyers

Watch out for common car scams if you are considering buying your car online. Dishonest sellers often advertise used cars at unbelieveable low prices, take your money, and disappear. It’s always best to buy from a local source where you can see and inspect your car, and meet the seller face-to-face.

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From private party sellers

You can buy a used car from an individual seller - someone who owns a car they no longer want. These people may advertise their cars in a number of ways. Some simply place “for sale” signs in the windows. Others may park the car in an abandoned parking lot or consignment lots with a “for sale” sign and contact information. Others may advertise in newspaper classifieds or “autotrader” magazines available free at supermarkets and auto parts stores. Others may place ads on online sites such as , AutoTrader, and UsedCars.com.

From new-car dealers

Most new-car dealers also have used-car lots. These tend to be late models cars in relatively good condition and with low mileage. Some sell “certified” used cars that have been thoroughly inspected and come with a warranty, at a slightly higher cost than non-certified cars.

From used car dealers

These are independent used car dealers who are not associated with car manufacturers. They range from dealers who specialize in exotic cars, antique cars, luxury cars down to dealers who specialize in low-cost cars for people with poor credit and limited finances. Some of the lower-end dealers, called “buy-here-pay-here” dealers, should generally be avoided. They charge high rates for loans, selll older cars with high mileage and potential problems, and have very tight restrictions on payment terms. Many of their cars are repossessed from customers and sold over and over again.

If you have credit problems, you should consider a dealer who finances his own loans and works with people who have bad credit. Drivetime.com is such a dealer who has locations all over the country.

From online web sites

There are many web sites that offer used cars for sale by individuals and from dealers. One of the most popular is craigslist.com,  Another is , which offers tons of cars from individual private sellers and provides buyer protection features. And another is UsedCars.com .  There are many others but you should take precautions to avoid scams and cheats, particularly on online classifed ad sites such as craigslist and autotrader (see our article, Is This a Car Scam).

From car auctions

There are a number of different kinds of car auctions: government auctions, repo auctions, insurance auctions, and unclaimed vehicle auctions. For more details on these types of car auctions, we suggest you see, Car Auctions for Cheap Cars.

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