The MDX is a 5-door SUV that generally offers a better gas mileage than competing SUVs. MDX quickly developed a reputation for being a very efficient vehicle as the Japanese automaker put up this brand of cars back in 2001.The MDX only started production because its predecessor, the Acura SLX, failed to put up acceptable numbers in North American sales. After the MDX got its feet wet in North America, the car put up sales over 50,000 for 6 years straight. This was the spark that Acura needed in order for the car brand to stay competitive with fellow Japanese automaker Toyota. With the MDX’s outstanding productivity and speedy development in North America, it has gotten a great deal of praise and has earned itself several accolades along the way. Motor Trend Magazine crowned MDX as the “Sport/Utility Car of the Year” in 2005, and was back again in 2007 to name MDX as its “Top Safety Pick”. To top it off, MDX was named this year by Consumer Reports Magazine as the “Used Car of the Year”.

Many might be surprised to hear the Acura MDX as the top used cars when all the talks of being of a top used car usually goes to the aforementioned Toyota. But recently, the Acura MDX looks pretty good to be crowned as the “Top Used Car.” The MDX is safe and luxurious to drive. With its automatic four-wheel drive, the MDX provides LCD screens, comfortable interior space, heated front seats and XM satellite radio. Aside from these credentials, the MDX is light on the wallet as it has better mileage than any competing SUVs and the price only starts around $20,000.

Now, I know the “American Dream” is a new car and new house. But as long as the Acura MDX keep trotting out their luxurious used cars, an “American Dream” that consists of a used car and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich sounds pretty good.

We knew that a new car was going to be completely out of our budget so we went in search of a good used car. You have to be very careful when buying used and make sure you do your research. We took our search to a used car lot. Although there are other options like buying privately, we wanted the added assurance of dealing with a professional even if the prices were higher.

When we decided on the car, a 2005 Pontiac Grand Am GT for a really good price from a reliable dealership, these are the steps we followed to make sure we didn’t drive a lemon off the lot.

1) We inspected the inside and outside for rust, cracks in glass, leaks and checked the odometer.

2) We test drove the car listening for unusual sounds, and then we made sure that the A/C, heater, stereo, windshield wipers, and power windows and locks worked.

3) We took the car to our mechanic to have the engine checked out to make sure it was sound.

4) We asked for a vehicle history report. We wanted to ensure that the car didn’t have habitual problems that needed repair, nor been in any major accidents.

Then before you even start to think of signing on the dotted line, consult the Kelley Blue Book and make sure that what they are asking isn’t astronomically out of proportion to what the car is worth — keeping in mind they are a little more expensive bought off a lot.