If you’re shopping for a car, chances are you’re researching prices. We’d all like to think there is no such thing as a budget, but if you need a new car for not a lot of cash, we can help.

The 2014 Nissan Versa is currently at the top of the list of least expensive cars in the U.S. With a starting MSRP of $12,780 (including the $790 destination fee), the 2014 Versa brings 109 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque. With the standard 5-speed manual transmission, the new Versa will also be easy on your wallet at the gas pump, with estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

Also on the list of affordable new car options is the Chevy Spark. Starting at $12,185 (plus additional fees and taxes) the tiny Spark offers 84 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque.  With the five-speed manual transmission, the 2013 Spark achieves 32 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, or 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway with the automatic transmission option.

Another choice for drivers on a budget is the Ford Fiesta. The 2013 Fiesta S offers 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque, with fuel economy estimated at 29 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. With a base price of $13,200, it’s also a sporty bargain.

Less money does not have to mean less quality or driving satisfaction. Let this be your starting point, and explore many other options on Carlocate.com.

If you are shopping for a new family car, you are in luck. U.S. News and World Report recently released their list of 2013’s Best Cars for Families, and there is sure to be one on this list to fit your family size and budget.

U.S. News divided vehicles into 19 categories then scored in areas of quality, family-friendly features, and passenger space, naming a winner for each category.

Among the Best Cars, the affordable deceptively spacious 2013 Chevrolet Cruze won the Compact Car category. The Chevy Cruze offers high-quality interior materials, comfortable seating for five, and a host of standard and optional features including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and the MyLink infotainment system. Other budget-friendly, family-friendly options include the Ford Fusion (Midsize Cars), and Subaru Outback (Wagons).

For families with bigger budgets, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class won top honors in Luxury Large Cars for its exceptional construction, elegant styling, spacious seating, and long list of enviable features, including COMAND infotainment system, navigation, rear-seat entertainment system, and panoramic moonroof.

Families who need more space for passengers or cargo might turn to the SUV and Minivan categories, where there is just as much room for individual expression. Perennial family favorites like the Chevrolet Suburban and Honda Odyssey are mentioned alongside more luxurious choices like the Audi Q5, Lincoln MKT and Cadillac Escalade.

Check out the full list of family car winners for shopping ideas, then let CarLocate.com help you find the best deal!

 The Motor Press Guild (MPG), which is the largest automotive media association in North America, announced that the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS is the winner of the second-ever Motor Press Guild Vehicle of the Year Award.

The ATS was chosen by a group of MPG journal members who test and review cars on a regular basis. The competing vehicles were judged based on safety, quality, value, performance/handling, design/style, environmental/green impact, and technology/innovation. In addition, panelists were encouraged to consider models that reflect the Southern California lifestyle.

The ATS is the result of an extensive mission to design a smaller, leaner Cadillac that would go head-to-head with compact luxury sports sedans from European and Asian markets. Cadillac succeeded, and their efforts are being recognized and rewarded. This car offers a well-designed and attractive interior, is complete with all the latest technology, and is capable of being driven both on and off the track.

If you are in the market for a new luxury car, this is one worth checking out (or at least having a little fun on a test drive with)!