The best used cars for every budget

If you're just beginning your quest for a used car, you already know that the list of things to consider seems endless. The best place to start is budget. Once you know what you're willing to spend, the elimination process has already begun. Here are some good bets for every budget:

Less than $10,000

Scion xB (2004-06)

The boxy look of this car isn't for everyone, but it's a good choice for city driving, and the older models actually boast better MPG than the newer ones. The interior has a level of detailing rarely seen in this price range. Bonus: Keyless entry.

Hyundai Sonata (2007-08)

In the mid-2000s, Hyundai did a lot of work to increase the quality of its vehicles. This effort shows with the Sonata: it's a solid bet. And because Hyundai wasn't yet in the ranks of its Japanese competitors, they charged lower prices for comparable cars. Those prices still hold up in the used market.

Honda Civic (2001-06)

This is a good choice whether you want a sedan, coupe or hatchback; the civic comes in all three forms. It has good fuel economy and a reputation for reliability. There's also a hybrid version, but be wary of hybrids that have accumulated high mileage -- the cost of battery failure isn't worth it.

$10,000 to $15,000

Kia Soul (2010-12)

If you want a small car that is roomy and comfortable, check out the Kia Soul. The Kia supports some neat features like UVO voice command to control entertainment and communication. It also boasts a 20-mpg city and 36-mpg highway rating -- impressive for a car its size.

Mazda 3 (2009-12)

Mazda redesigned this car in 2008 and came up with a stronger engine and a wider exterior. Like the Kia, it's a roomy small ride. This car is responsive; the driver feels in control. You can choose between sedan or hatchback.

Toyota Rav 4 (2006-08)

If you're looking for an SUV, go for the Toyota Rav 4. It has a third row seat, but the car doesn't feel overwhelmingly large. It was the first in its class when it debuted in 1994 and has since inspired similar cars from Ford and Subaru. The Rav 4 still holds up.

$15,000 to $20,000

Acura TL (2004-08)

The sporty Acura TL is a good bet if you're looking for some luxury with a budget. It has 250 horsepower and the reliability that consumers have come to expect from every Honda division.

Lexus RX (2004-09)

The midsize RX is another good option for luxury on a budget, and there's the option for a hybrid system. Like the Acura TL, it has a reputation for reliability. The 2010 model brought about a higher mpg rating, but stick with earlier models if you want to stay within budget.

Ford Fusion (2012-13)

The Fusion is a sleek sedan and a good choice if you're looking for lots of back seat room. It has two fueling options: the hybrid EcoBoost engine and the hybrid plug-in. Both forms won it the title of Green Car of the Year in 2012.

$20,000 to $25,000

Audi A4 (2009-11)

A used Audi 4 is a great option for those looking for their first luxury car. It has a powerful engine but is also fuel efficient. The Audi is known for its attention to interior detail. A convertible model is also available.

Volvo XC60 (2011)

The XC60 has many features to boast about, but the best is its five star crash safety rating. Other features include pedestrian detection and SiriusXM radio. The XC60 is a dependable choice for snowy winters.

Cadillac DTS (2011)

The list of fun features that the DTS includes (such as sun room, parking sensors, and heated seats) seems endless. The trade-off is a 15 mpg rating for city driving and 23 mpg on the highway. This car is a good choice as long as you're not planning to accumulate those miles too quickly.

Everyone has different priorities when looking for a used car. These cars are well-rounded and certainly worth a test drive.

6 best luxury used cars

Having the comfort of a luxurious car is a dream come true. Even though some people may not be able to pay for a brand-new one, there is always the option of buying a used car. They are cheaper and just as elegant and comfortable as the new ones. Here's a list of the 6 best luxury used cars that can be found in the market.

2014 INFINITI Q50

It may not be an athletic sports sedan, but it's got a powerful V6 engine that gets about 20/29 mpg city/highway and a high-tech interior. The 2014 Infiniti Q50 has an automatic transmission with seven speeds, offering quick and smooth shifts. This car's well-built cabin is made of either aluminum or wood trim, designed with soft-touch surfaces, and it is equipped with an easy-to-use high-tech dual-screen infotainment system.

Average Price: $34,000 - $44,000

2014 AUDI A5

Despite the 2014 Audi A5's lack of power and of sharp handling, this car is a nice ride with an interior of high quality. Its engine is turbocharged, with four cylinders. It also comes with a manual transmission with six speeds, though there is an option of eight speeds. The 2014 Audi A5 gets 22/32 mpg city/highway, which is a great rate for the class. In addition, other optional devices can be installed, such as a backup camera, parking sensors and a system that monitors blind spots.

Average Price: $20,000 - $35,000

2011 LEXUS GS 460

Metaphorically speaking, the 2011 Lexus GS 460 is like that straight "A" student in the class, which explains why it has been the dream of consumers for over 20 years. It is about the same size as the ES 350, but offers rear-wheel-drive and costs more. This ride includes a 4,6L V-8 342hp engine, an automatic transmitter with eight speeds and with Overdrive, ABS in the four wheels, airbags for the driver, front and back passengers and for the knees. Its wheels are made of aluminum, 18" each.

Average Price: $19,000 - $35,000

2010 CADILLAC CTS

Critics were first captivated by this car when it was first released. They said that the ride, handling and interior of the car were just as great as the German and Japanese competitors. It has a 3L V6 engine that can be 270 or 304 horsepower, depending on the needs of the buyer. It's also got automatic transmission and gets 18/27 mpg, in general.

Average Price: $15,500 - $25,000

2010 AUDI A4

This is the car for anyone who's looking for a combination of a high-quality interior, a demeanor that combines a great sporty suspension with a comfortable ride and agile handling. The 2010 Audi A4 received great reviews on its safety, being named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Its four-cylinder engine is 211 horsepower which gets 23/30 mpg. It is an automatic car with six speeds.

Average Price: $17,000 - $22,000

2008 BMW 3 Series

The combination of a world-class performance and a mid-size luxurious sedan, the 2008 BMW 328i offers an excellent driving experience wherever it is, combining safety with a sleek exterior. It was redesigned to have a more powerful engine and to gain cleaner lines in 2006. The 10 Best Cars rank of Car and Driver listed the 2008 BMW 17 consecutive times, a record for the magazine. According to them, despite the efforts of many different carmakers, BMW was the only one to put great attributes together successfully.

Average Price: $11,900 - $21,000.

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Great winter safety tips

9 Steps For a Winter Ready Car

The last thing any driver needs is to break down in cold, harsh winter weather. A vehicle check now before winter arrives is a sensible way to be car care aware and avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs, says the Car Care Council. 

“Winterizing your vehicle before the temperatures drop is a wise idea,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “An investment of an hour or two to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind and help avoid the cost and hassle of car trouble during severe weather.”

The Car Care Council recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:

• If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling. 

• Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries. 

• Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years. 

• Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.

• Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.

• Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.

• Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed. 

• Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed. 

• Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time. 

Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication. 

Roadside Safety Kits

Roadside Safety Kits

Be prepared for an emergency on the road. Only 34% of people carry a roadside safety kit in their vehicle. You never know when something is going to go wrong while you are driving. Unfortunately, accidents happen and cars do sometimes break down. That is why it pays to be prepared and always carry a roadside safety kit in your vehicle. Whether it's a flat tire, a break down, an accident or coming to the aid of another stranded motorist, you'll be glad you made the investment.

Auto safety kits come in different shapes and sizes. They are usually available at your local auto parts store and most are very affordable. The kit you see here has an air compressor powered by your lighter socket. It also contains a flashlight with a signal flasher, jumper cables, triangular hazard warning reflectors and a first aid kit.

For flat tires, it has a lug nut wrench and various size sockets. It even comes with a small collapsible shovel to help you dig out if you get stuck. Other common sense items that should be included in the kit are:

Windshield washer fluid

chocolate (important if you are diabetic)

water

blanket

call police sign

Old cell phone (can still dial 911 even if it isn’t hooked up to a service.) Don’t forget the charger though!

Here’s another tip, if you are broken down on the side of the road you should sit in the passenger seat! It gives the appearance to a potential “bad” person that someone has gone to get help for you. You might also want to put your cell phone up to your ear so it looks like you are talking to someone.

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Basic Car Maintenance Tips to Keep You on the Road

Get a tuneup. A poorly tuned engine can reduce fuel efficiency. To ensure your vehicle’s peak performance, get a tuneup once a year. A basic tuneup can involve the replacement of spark plugs, inspection of spark plug wires, distributor cap, distributor rotor and air filter as well as inspection of the distributor’s dwell and timing. It also provides an opportunity to check out your vehicle’s systems, such as brakes and fluid levels.

To Idle or Not to Idle, That is the Question

It is that time of the year when many motorists let their vehicle “warm up” or idle before driving. In fact, today’s modern cars are ready to drive in cold temperatures without excessive idling, says the Mobile Lube Guys Council.

“Unless you are trying to defrost the windshield or warm the interior of your car, idling is not required for today’s vehicles,” said Rich White, executive director, Mobile Lube Guys Council. “In most cases, idling longer than 30 seconds is unnecessary. The best way to warm up your car’s engine is to drive gently at the start. Remember, a vehicle gets zero miles per gallon when idling and the result is lower fuel economy and wasted money.”

The idea of idling before driving dates back to when cars were built with carburetors. With new fuel-injection technology, complex computer systems and thinner synthetic oils, drivers don’t need to warm up their cars before hitting the road.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “When a car idles for more than 30 seconds, it has several negative effects, such as increasing air pollution unnecessarily, wasting fuel and money, and causing excessive wear or even damaging a car’s engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and the exhaust system. Contrary to popular belief, idling isn’t an effective way to warm up most car engines.”

Basic Car Maintenance Tips to Keep You on the Road

Change the oil. Regular oil changes help prevent engine wear and can even save you gas money. Synthetic motor oil also offers great engine protection in extreme temperatures. Check your owner’s manual to see how often this should be done on your car.

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Mobile Lube Guys tips: did you know If you apply rain-x to your windshield monthly, during light rains you shouldn't even need to turn on your wipers. Stay tuned in to MLG Facebook for more vehicle tips of the day.