Sports cars have always been objects of desire for thrill seekers and speed demons. Some models remain prohibitively expensive, but there are affordable options with serious performance and handling that can provide an exciting driving experience without breaking the bank. Here are 5 affordable sports cars for thrill seekers:

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a lightweight two-seat roadster that provides an engaging driving experience with its rear-wheel drive and manual transmission. The Miata starts around $25,000. It has a sport-tuned suspension, direct steering, and delivers 181 horsepower. While not the quickest, its handling and affordability make it a perfect entry-level sports car.

The Subaru BRZ and its twin the Toyota 86 are lightweight, rear-wheel drive sports cars renowned for their handling. They feature a 205-horsepower horizontally opposed engine, a sport-tuned suspension, and a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. Pricing starts around $25,000. These twins provide an authentic sports car feel and experience at an affordable price.

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost delivers 310 horsepower and performance to match from its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It has rear-wheel drive, a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission, and a sport-tuned suspension. Pricing starts at $26,000. The Mustang EcoBoost combines power, handling, and style in an iconic American sports car that won’t break the bank.

The Hyundai Veloster N is a hot hatchback that provides outstanding performance and value. It has a 275-horsepower turbocharged engine, 6-speed manual transmission, electronically controlled suspension, and track-tuned steering. Pricing starts around $27,000. The Veloster N delivers a raw, unfiltered driving experience that rivals more expensive hot hatches.

The Volkswagen GTI is a perennial favorite, with its blend of performance, practicality, and affordability. The GTI has a 228-horsepower turbocharged engine, 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission, and track-tuned suspension. Pricing starts at $28,000. The GTI is a refined yet engaging hot hatch that can serve as an everyday driver and weekend thrill ride.

Here are some essential car maintenance tips every driver should know:

Checking your tire pressure regularly is important for safety and maximizing the life of your tires. The correct PSI levels for your specific vehicle make and model can be found in the owner’s manual. Under-inflated tires can reduce handling and braking, and over-inflated tires can burst.

Change your engine oil as recommended in the owner’s manual. Fresh oil is essential for lubricating and cooling your engine. Not changing the oil regularly can reduce engine performance and cause permanent damage.

Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles to ensure even tread wear. Front tires wear out more quickly, so rotating front to back and crossing left to right helps maximize the life of the full set.

Inspect and replace air filters periodically. Clogged air filters reduce airflow to your engine and cabin, reducing performance and increasing fuel consumption.

Check and replace windshield wipers once a year or if they start streaking, chattering or not cleaning effectively. Worn out wipers reduce visibility and can be a safety hazard.

Vacuum your seats and carpets, wipe down vinyl and plastic parts and clean your windows inside and out. A clean car interior makes driving more pleasant and helps prevent permanent stains.

Check and refill windshield washer fluid. Low washer fluid reduces your ability to clean your windshield, reducing visibility.

Check all exterior lights including headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, etc. Burned out or malfunctioning lights reduce your visibility to other drivers and can lead to accidents or traffic tickets.

Inspect and test your emergency tools like the spare tire, jack, lug wrench and emergency flashers. These tools are critical in case of a flat tire or other roadside emergency.

Check and refill coolant levels. Low coolant reduces your engine’s ability to prevent overheating and can lead to permanent damage.

Inspect suspension and steering components for wear or damage. Worn out or loose steering/suspension parts severely impact handling, braking and safety.

Check and tighten fuel filler cap. A loose or missing cap allows fuel to evaporate, reducing gas mileage.

Check and clean battery terminals. Corroded or loose battery terminals prevent your battery from operating efficiently and can prevent your vehicle from starting.

Inspect drive belts for cracking or fraying and replace as needed. Faulty drive belts prevent critical components like your alternator, power steering pump and AC compressor from operating properly.

Replace dirty or clogged fuel filters. Clogged fuel filters reduce engine power and performance and can prevent your vehicle from starting.

Replace worn brake pads. Worn out brake pads severely reduce braking ability, which is critical for safe driving and avoiding accidents.

Negotiating the best price when buying a car requires preparation and patience. Do your research ahead of time to determine a reasonable price range for the specific vehicle you’re interested in. Check vehicle valuation guides like Kelley Blue Book to find the fair market price for that car based on its make, model, year, trim level, mileage, condition, and optional features. This will give you a solid starting point for your negotiation.

Once you start negotiating with a dealer, don’t focus on the monthly payment. Negotiate the total vehicle price first. Dealers can manipulate monthly payments in various ways, so you need to know the total bottom-line price you’re paying for the car. Come prepared with facts to support your offer price. Point out any recent sales of comparable vehicles. Mention any incentives or rebates currently available. Highlight any issues with the condition or history to justify a lower offer.

Start with a reasonable initial offer that’s at least 10-15% below the fair market price. Don’t feel pressured to make an offer right away. It’s okay to tell the salesperson you need time to think it over. Take a walk around the lot, check your notes, and determine what you’re comfortable offering. Make a lower counteroffer if the dealer does not accept your initial offer. Be willing to walk away if you’re not getting close to a reasonable price. Often the dealer will come back with a lower counteroffer to keep you at the table.

Once you have agreed on a final vehicle price, the negotiation isn’t over yet. You still need to go over the financing details, trade-in value, and extras like an extended warranty. Negotiate the best overall deal by getting preapproved for an auto loan from your bank or credit union before going to the dealer. That way you can see if the dealer can beat your preapproved rate. Get quotes from other dealerships for your trade-in to leverage a higher value. And only buy extras that really matter to you.

The negotiation process requires patience, but putting in the effort can save you thousands of dollars on your vehicle purchase. Stay confident in the reasonable price you’ve determined, and don’t feel pressured into accepting an offer that’s not in your best interest. With some determination and persistence, you can negotiate the best overall deal on your next car.

The modern SUV comes in all shapes and sizes, but for families, certain characteristics are non-negotiable. Safety, spaciousness, and style are essential for a family vehicle that needs to transport both kids and cargo. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best family SUVs that balance all three.

The Toyota Highlander has long been a top choice for families looking for a safe, reliable SUV. The Highlander earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, the highest available. With a hybrid powertrain option, the Highlander delivers solid fuel economy. Three rows of seats mean enough space for up to eight passengers. For 2020, the Highlander gets a bold new look and updated technology features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and Wi-Fi hotspot.

For maximum passenger space, the Chevrolet Suburban is hard to beat. This full-size SUV can seat up to nine people with an optional front bench seat. The Suburban also has a cavernous 144.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. A long list of standard advanced safety features like forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring help give you confidence behind the wheel of this large vehicle. Fuel economy is unsurprisingly low, but for some families, the space is worth the trade-off.

Style and luxury come together in the Lincoln Navigator. This plush full-size SUV is filled with high-end materials and technology. The Navigator can seat up to eight people over three rows. Twin-turbocharged V6 engine puts out an impressive 450 horsepower while maintaining a respectable 18 mpg combined. The Navigator is also available with Lincoln’s new phone-as-a-key technology that allows you to start and unlock your vehicle with an app on your smartphone.

For families on a budget, the Kia Sorento is an appealing option. The Sorento has a solid reputation for reliability and value. Seating for up to five or seven passengers is available. The base four-cylinder gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined. An available V6 engine provides more power for towing. The Sorento includes advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning as standard equipment. Kia’s outstanding 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty provides peace of mind for years to come.

The Hyundai Palisade is another smart choice for families looking for an affordable three-row SUV. Sharing a platform with the Kia Telluride, the Palisade offers comparable space, power, and value. The Palisade’s interior is one of the nicest in its class, with high-quality materials and lots of technology like a 10.25-inch touchscreen, multi-zone climate control, and a long list of advanced driver assistance features. The Palisade’s 291-hp V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission provide smooth power and respectable fuel economy.

For carpooling and hauling kids to activities, a family SUV needs to handle well in tight spaces. The Mazda CX-9 signature stands out with its nimble, car-like handling. The CX-9 can seat up to seven passengers. A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission provides plenty of power and gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined. The CX-9 includes an 8-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, USB ports in all three rows, and active driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist. Mazda’s premium styling and high-quality interiors make this three-row SUV feel like a luxury vehicle at an affordable price.

With so many excellent options, finding the right family SUV comes down to determining what factors are most important to you. Do you need maximum passenger and cargo space or something more compact? What level of fuel efficiency or performance are you looking for? How much are you willing to spend for the latest advanced safety technologies and luxury features? By weighing all these variables, you can find an SUV that checks all the boxes for your family’s needs.

Understanding car insurance can be confusing. There are many factors to consider to make sure you get the coverage you need at an affordable price. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process and find the best car insurance for your needs.

Car insurance provides financial protection in the event of an accident or other incident involving your vehicle. The specific coverage and limits you choose determine how much protection you have. Liability coverage pays for the other driver’s injuries and vehicle damage if you cause an accident. Collision coverage pays to repair your own vehicle after an accident. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from events like theft, vandalism or natural disasters.

Think about how much coverage you need. If you have an older vehicle, you may only need liability coverage. If you have a newer car, you’ll want collision and comprehensive coverage as well. Check your state’s minimum requirements and consider how much you can afford for deductibles and premiums.

Compare quotes from different companies. Rates can vary significantly between companies for the same coverage. Look at large national companies as well as smaller local insurers. Compare quotes for the type of coverage you need to find the best value.

Look for ways to save. You may be eligible for discounts for bundling multiple policies, anti-theft devices, good student grades, safe driver programs and more. Raise your deductibles to lower premiums. Drive safely to maintain a clean driving record.

Review and understand your policy before signing. Make sure you know exactly what is and isn’t covered. Check that coverage limits and deductibles meet your needs. Understand how the claims process works in case you need to file a claim.

Ask about additional coverage if needed. If you have an expensive vehicle, high-value home or substantial assets, extra coverage like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement or umbrella insurance may be worth the cost.

In summary, do your research to determine how much car insurance you need. Compare quotes from different insurers to find the best value. Look for available discounts to save money. Carefully review your policy to ensure you understand your coverage before purchasing. Additional coverage options may provide extra peace of mind for high-value assets. With some time and effort, you can find affordable car insurance that provides the protection you need.