The affordable performance vehicle is a small market, but one that is dominated by a fierce rivalry between two classic vehicles: the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro. These cars are tuned for performance, and while slightly expensive, they can both be found at used Ford or Chevy dealers for a fraction of their dealer price.

Motorists have debated the merits of the cars since the Mustang’s debut in 1964. The car’s popularity caused competitors to introduce similar vehicles, known as “pony cars,” which were closely related to their larger brethren, the muscle car. These cars were defined by their sporty characteristics and emphasis on performance at a non-luxury brand price.

Direct competitors to the Mustang included the Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro. While pony cars and muscle cars began to fall out of favor over the years, they have seen a recent revival. Ford’s redesigned Mustang has enjoyed critical success and big sales, and Chevy has reintroduced the Camaro in order to compete. The Dodge Challenger, while lagging behind in sales, has also made a comeback.

Those who are looking for a sporty car without paying Mercedes or BMW prices are frequently turning to new Mustangs and Camaros in the same way that drivers did forty years ago. In fact, the battle of the pony cars has led to a war of words between Ford and Chevy, who tout their model’s superiority over the other.

When Ford recently debuted the new 2011 Mustang to the automotive press, they were sure to have a Camaro on hand to point out all the ways the Mustang improved over its rival. And when the May sales figures came out showing Mustang’s triumph over the Camaro, Chevy responded with a press release detailing how many more Camaros they had sold over the previous months.

So drivers might be wondering – which one to buy? The cars are very close in price and both offer either a V6 or V8. MSN Auto recently did a point-by-point comparison between the two ponies and found that there wasn’t a striking difference in performance and handling. Instead, they found the difference came down to styling. MSN praised the Mustang’s slightly roomier interior and trunk space while favoring the Camaro’s sleek, eye-catching appearance.

Once drivers have made the decision, they should hit the used car market before paying the dealer’s inflated price. Buying a used Ford Mustang is an especially good idea right now, because Ford will be selling off the late-model Mustangs to make way for the redesigned 2011 model. These late-model cars can reach used car dealers with a slim amount of mileage but a huge amount of savings off the manufacturer’s price.

There will be plenty of Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers to be found at used car dealers, but those who want a true American pony car might want to scour the internet for some of the classic models of the sixties and seventies.

The SUV is a dying breed. Between concerns about fuel economy and a trend toward smaller crossover vehicles, true full-size SUVs are dwindling. However, there was a time when the big SUV ruled the road. The vehicles practically flew off the lots as families opted for them over the bulkier and less-powerful minivans.

The cars might be trending out of style, but that doesn’t mean that those who are fans of the SUV need to put themselves in an often-expensive yet smaller new crossovers. There are plenty of used car models on the pre-owned market that offer buyers the full features of an SUV- namely, power and roominess.

One of the great things about SUVs is that they often feature bigger engines than their smaller counterparts, which often translates to more power. Take something like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. With the optional SRT package, this vehicle actually accelerates faster than anything in Chrysler‘s entire fleet, except for the Dodge Viper.

Consumers may also want to check out some classic SUV brands, like the Ford Explorer. These tried-and-true models haven’t changed much over the years, even as the industry trends toward smaller cars. Many automakers have followed the trend and eliminated full-size trucks from their lineups, but most of the companies that offer wide ranges of vehicles, like Honda, Nissan, or Toyota, still make a full-size model.

Even if they don’t, there are plenty of discontinued models that can be found on the used market. Used car lots, for example, are the only place to find the once-popular but now dead Hummer brand. Other full-size SUVs to fall by the wayside that drivers should keep an eye out for are the Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, and Ford Bronco.

One thing car buyers should consider is the use of the vehicle. SUVs like Jeep were originally designed with off-roading in mind, but many don’t care for the sport. These drivers will want to search for an SUV that provides a roomy interior without the necessary suspension and engine modifications for off-roading.

However, those who do want to take their used SUV off-road must be careful when buying a car. If the previous owner took the vehicle off-roading as well, the car might have sllight damage that the regular mileage won’t reveal.

Another option for SUV buyers is luxury. There are many high-end sports utility vehicles aimed at those looking for luxury. Popular models include Range Rovers, Mercedes-Benz G and GL Class, and BMW X5. These large cruisers might command a hefty price tag when bought news, but can be had at a fraction of the price on the used car market.

SUVs might be expensive and traditionally carry the extra cost of using up lots of gas. Buying a used SUV already mitigates that expense somewhat. In addition, technology has changed in recent years and many modern SUVs are more fuel-efficient than their predecessors. With a little research, drivers can find a used SUV that fits their lifestyle, without draining their bank accou