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The Best Used Cars for Your Money
by Kyle Busch

The cost of new transportation is expensive. However, there are several used vehicles that you might want to consider. The following vehicles all have good ratings and current market forces have made them available at very reasonable prices.

Four vehicles worth your consideration:

Best Used Cars: 2000 Toyota Camry LE
2000 Toyota Camry LE

1. The Toyota Camry has been one of the best vehicles in America for years. The new Camry LE costs between $18,500-$25,000.
Now that the redesigned 2002 Camry is circulating in the market, you can buy (if you shop carefully) a used 2000 Toyota Camry LE with 25K-30K miles for under $11,500. I consider this car to be an excellent value for this price. This vehicle can be driven for hundreds of thousands of miles.

2. The Honda Accord has also been one of America's best
selling automobiles. New Accord LXs cost $18,500-$26,000.
You can find a 2000 Accord LX with 25K-30K miles for about $11,500-$12,500, if you shop around enough.

3. The Mazda 626 has also been a reliable vehicle. The new 626 LX costs $17,500-$24,000. The 626 redesigned for 2003 and renamed the "Mazda6". Mazda does not quite have the name of the Toyota or the Honda. A 2000 Mazda 626 LX with 25K-30K miles for about $9,000-$10,000 is a good deal. This vehicle can provide many years of dependable transportation.

4. The Nissan Altima is also a pretty good value. New Altima 2.5s cost $17,000-23,000. The 2002 Altima was redesigned to be a much larger car than the previous model. If you are on a transportation budget, you can buy (if you shop carefully) a 1995 Altima GXE with 60K-75K miles for about $3,500-$4,500. At this age and mileage, the vehicle will likely not include any remaining manufacturer's warranty. However, the Altima is quite reliable and economical to drive. This car can provide a number of years of good transportation service.

If you are in the market for a vehicle, do your homework. Consult Consumer Report's automotive issue. Also, be sure to read a couple of archived new vehicle road tests (review road tests that were conducted at the time the vehicle was new) on the used vehicle of interest in auto magazines (many are archived at local libraries) or Internet sources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track, or MotorWeek. Information from the road tests will allow you to zero in on which will be the best for you.

For example, if you prefer a softer ride consider the Camry. If you prefer a stiffer more European ride, consider the Accord. However, if price is the major consideration, consider the Mazda or the Altima. Last, but not least, if you are going to buy a two- to three-year-old vehicle, try to get the 2000 model rather than the 199... model. Years down the road when you want to sell the vehicle, the 2000 model will be worth more than the "past century" vehicle.

About the Author: Kyle Busch has over 300,000 miles on his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta - a used vehicle that he bought in 1991 for $2,600. Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money. 1 800 839-8640 or www.drivethebestbook.com. The web site accepts all transportation questions.