Bonus!Used Car, Suv & Truck

Family Luxury Sporty Pickup High-Performance Minivan Sport/UtilityBuying & Leasing Secrets Save Money On The InternetHow To Buy A Used VehicleWe love used cars. Though our life revolves around testing and evaluating new cars, trucks, and SUVs, when it comes time to purchase a personal vehicle, Motor Trend editors choose used cars more often than not. Lease turn-ins are especially popular among staffers: Somebody else takes the big depreciation hit, while we still benefit from the new-car warranty and the enhanced reliability of a low-mileage vehicle.

Today, while the economy is hot, is a great time to buy a used car. That's because in good times, folks like to splurge on a new car, dropping demand for used cars. However, when the economy cools, expect demand for previously owned vehicles to skyrocket.

You'll also benefit from living in one of the golden ages of the automobile. Many minivans boast as much horsepower as the most muscular cars of the early '80s, while mundane family sedans and pickup trucks challenge the performance numbers turned in by bad-boy ponycars of a dozen years ago. A late-model vehicle is also much more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Trade that dirty '87 for a '97 to do your share.

On the following pages, we've assembled our picks for the best values in new vehicles. In making these selections, we considered how we enjoyed the vehicle when it was new, its reputation for reliability, its depreciation, and our assessment of how it will hold its value. We also aspired to cover the spectrum within each segment.

The prices we publish are retail-wholesale and private-party prices may be lower-and come courtesy of the "Kelley Blue Book Used Car Guide" (www.kbb.com). For total ownership cost assessments, we consulted IntelliChoice's "The Complete Car Cost Guide" (408/866-1400). Check out the "Shopping Online" sidebar for additional sources.

We've given you a head start toward your new (at least, to you!) vehicle. Enjoy!

This guide is designed to be a starting point in your search for the perfect used vehicle. The information contained here is based on new and current values provided by the Consumer Edition of the "Kelley Blue Book," total ownership costs from IntelliChoice, and our own hands-on experience.

We think you'll find that, with the vehicles shown in this guide, most of the depreciation has already been absorbed, they're likely to have reasonably low mileage and an almost new feel, and there may be time left on the manufacturer's original warranty. If you follow the five steps outlined here, you're sure to have a better experience than if you bought the first red car you see on a used car lot.

Step 1: Determine What Vehicle You Really Need Or WantChoosing the right car, truck, or sport/utility for your wants and needs should be the first step. Are you going to use it as a commuter, as a shuttle to haul kids or coworkers, as a reliable, dedicated work vehicle, or just to impress your neighbors? Really examine what you liked or didn't like about your last vehicle. If you're not sure which type and model best suits your needs, do a bit of comparative reading.

Motor Trend prides itself on testing and evaluating more vehicles than any other magazine, hands down. We print the "Road Test Review" in each issue. This compilation of vehicles we've tested lists powertrain configuration, price, power, torque, and performance figures, along with whether the test was a comparison between competitive vehicles. It also lists the reprint identification number so you can use our Electronic Reprint Service to order a copy of the most recent test by fax or mail. Some of this information is available on our Web site at www.motortrend.com.