Our best and worst used car lists can steer you to models that have reliable track records. But any vehicle can become a clunker if it has been neglected or has sustained accident or flood damage. You can protect yourself from buying someone else’s problems by knowing what to look for.

Shopping for any used car is enough to make some buyers feel like they’ve entered the netherworld, but how about specifically shopping for a vehicle designed to take you there? On Saturday, January 21st, the Barrett-Jackson car auction company will put on the block the 1964 Cadillac Hearse (lot number 1293) that it claims transported assassinated President John F. Kennedy from the Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas to the city’s Love Field Airport, where Air Force One was waiting to take the president back to Washington, D.C.

As the country heads into another winter season, an SUV can be an attractive choice for versatility and all-weather traction, with plenty of utility for holiday travels. Small SUVs, in particular, can offer a good balance of size, driving dynamics, and even fuel economy, without breaking the bank. If you’re in the market, rather than pay full price for a new SUV, consider saving money buying a good used model.

If you're looking for a deal on a late-model used car, keep looking. Thanks to the continued slowdown in sales and leases of new cars (which become "used" the minute they're driven off of the showroom floor), the fact that people are holding onto their cars longer, and ongoing demand from value-conscious buyers who don't want to buy new, good used cars are going for higher prices than ever -- if you can even find one.

As millions of Americans continue to clean up from Hurricane Irene and put their homes, and lives, back together, one lingering impact will be a new wave of flood-damaged cars making their way onto the used-car market.

Recent water-cooler discussions have had our cost-conscious staffers debating the best used cars. While we often discuss cars we lust for, we focused our attentions on the models we would seriously consider buying based on our testing, personal experience, and subjective intangibles. Here are our personal picks on used cars under $20,000.

Well-maintained, late model used cars are some of the best values you can find. And it's all the better if you can find one that provides great gas mileage. The 2005-2010 models below, pulled from the lists of reliable used cars in our April auto issue, are solid choices that did well in our testing when they were new and get good fuel economy for their class. Model years are shown in parentheses. Look for models with electronic stability control.

New- and used-car buyers are going online to research pricing, reliability information, user reviews, view photos, and more. Two-thirds (67 percent) of consumers plan to use the Internet to help with their next car purchase, including 83 percent of those shoppers under age 35 years and 77 percent of car buyers earning at least $50,000, according to a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Consumers are clear on the two things they least like about buying a new car: the cost (30 percent) and the dealership experience (22 percent). In a recent survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, adult car owners said by a large margin that these are the two greatest turnoffs.

Lower fuel costs are the primary reason for choosing a more fuel-efficient car, although a majority of consumers are also concerned about environmental factors and dependence on foreign oil. Plus, they crave the lower purchase price that often accompanies small, thrifty models. These are among the findings of a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

The tough economy and high gas prices are driving consumers to prioritize fuel economy with their next car purchase. And to save at the pump, they are willing to compromise on purchase price, amenities, and size—but not safety. These are among the findings of a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

With high gas prices and a challenging economy still rattling people’s nerves, many in need of a car are considering buying used. However, to save more money, it’s worth getting a used car that is also fuel efficient, so you not only pay less to purchase the vehicle, but also to operate it.

New or used, SUVs remain a white-hot vehicle segment, offering the functionality, versatility, and all-weather traction many families crave. Many buyers are moving away from large truck-based models to car-based SUVs, and likewise many car owners with growing families are stepping up from their small cars. For those budget-conscious shoppers, buying used can be a great way to get the right vehicle for less money. And to make the task easier, we have identified some of the best used SUV deals on the market.

After a winter of heavy snowfall followed by a wet spring in much of the country, many Americans are bracing for, or already faced with, flooded neighborhoods and properties. While the water will eventually recede, some of its damage will linger for months or even years. Specifically, car buyers need to be aware of how to spot a vehicle that may have been through a flood.

In our recent examination of whether it makes sense for consumers to downsize to a smaller vehicle to combat high gas prices, we looked at real-world numbers to illustrate the decisions consumers are faced with and reveal their impact. Unfortunately, gasoline prices have continued to climb. So, we decided to revisit the analysis and explore the impact of today's prices and potential further increases.