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There’s no questions that new cars are nice. They’re a pleasure to drive and there is a peace of mind that comes from knowing there are no hidden problems. However, the idea of buying a new car is out of the range of many people, especially in the current recession. After all, a new car can lose up to 20 percent of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot.

The ideal solution for many people is to buy a used car.  A used car that is only a couple years old, preferably with low mileage, is ideal. These cars have taken the large depreciation hit already and they have low enough mileage that hidden issues are less likely. When looking for a used car, picking one of these cars may be your best bet.

Picking the “best” used car is difficult to do. Everyone has their own unique situation and unique needs for a vehicle. Take a look at the list of categories below. Each have a few of the best cars for that particular category, so there are options for everyone.

1. Lincoln Town Car. The Lincoln is basically the definition of a big American luxury car. Sure, it’s old American styling and ride, but that is a lot of the appeal. They can transport multiple people in comfort due to a roomy and quiet interior. They come with a V8 engine that is smooth and quiet, and a HUGE trunk. This is a used car that should have minimal problems, and as long as it’s properly taken care of, it should last a long time.

2. Chrysler 200. The 200 is a nice, spacious choice among other mid-size sedans. The 200 offers a lot a features for the price. The 200 has faced some criticism for being a little underpowered, but a stout V6 engine can be had for not much more money. It has also gained amazing safety rating and it still ranks high in extended reliability trials. A fully loaded Chrysler 200 isn’t the cheapest used car on the lot, but it’s certainly one of the most reliable, and it’s far from the most expensive. That makes this car a great value.

3. Dodge Durango. The post-2011 Durango is now one of the most competitive SUVs on the market. These redesigned SUVs are easy to maneuver, offer a sophisticated ride, seat up to seven adults in comfort, and they have a generous towing capacity. Start looking for these now, the Durango is the second best-kept secret in the used car marketplace.

4. Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep has been the staple of the four-wheel drive SUV market for decades, and as such, a huge number of them are available in every shape, color, and size. The redesign in 2007 greatly improved the interior for a much more comfortable driving experience. You can even get them with power accessories and navigation!

5. Chrysler 300. Whether you opt for the more basic 300 or the more performance-focused 300 SRT8 is up to you. Both of these are powerful machines with excellent build quality and a generous list of features. The SRT8 is nothing short of a sleeper. It looks upscale, yet subdued. Most folks don’t realize a 400+ horsepower HEMI V8 lives under the hood.

6. Cadillac CTS. Cadillac was once the top dog in the world of luxury vehicles. After decades of over-sized sedans for the elderly, Cadillac finally built a car to compete with BMW and Mercedes. Sure, the CTS is not as fast or finely-built as the Germans, but it’s still a fabulous model and drives like a sport car.

7. Ram 1500. These days, all of the big pickup trucks have more capability than most people would ever need. So why not get one that is less-focused and more well-rounded? The Ram 1500 is a top pick in the full-size pickup truck market thanks to its strong performance, smooth ride, and an upscale interior. It’s the ideal pickup truck.

8. Ford F-150. The F-150 has a legendary reputation. It is one of the longest-running lines of trucks in America. There is a huge variety of interior and exterior options to choose from, and because it has been one of the best-selling vehicles for literally decades, there are loads to choose from on the used car lot.

9. Chevrolet Volt. The Chevy Volt is arguably the most fuel-efficient car on the market. As of January 2014, the Volt was the most fuel-efficient car with a gasoline engine sold in the United States. To give you some perspective, Jay Leno drove his Chevrolet Volt nearly 11,000 in one year without refueling.  That’s impressive.

10. Dodge Challenger R/T. The Dodge Challenger might look, sound, and move like a muscle car, but it’s ability to grand-tour is the mark of the most versatile sports car. Some sports cars have overly-stiff suspension, little sound insulation, and cheap interior trims to save weight. The Challenger is the perfect combination of a sports car and a luxury touring car. This is the kind of car you could to drive everyday.