For those who live in the northern states, buying a new or used vehicle that will be guaranteed to handle the winter months is extremely important. Once the snow starts falling and the ice starts forming, it might be time to put the sports car away and consider at something a bit more durable.

MSN Autos recently took a look at some vehicles that operate just as well in the winter months as they do in the spring and summer. Most of these vehicles have all-wheel drive (AWD), but a few have a couple of extra features that allow them to really go above and beyond when it comes to handling the snow.

The first choice was the trio of American pickup trucks: the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram. In addition to coming with four-wheel drive, these trucks have the added benefit of a taller ride height that gives them more stability. Compared to many of the other full-size SUVs, the pickups are also a relatively inexpensive choice when it comes to braving the winter weather.

Those who would rather opt for a traditional sedan may be interested in the Ford Taurus SHO. This car's V6 engine provides enough power to handle any trouble spots while simultaneously offering AWD. The news source writes that the car is "built in the Windy City for the wintry weather," so those with inclement weather to tackle may want to consider this edition of the Taurus.

One of the big selling points for SUVs is the ability to handle tough terrain, and the mixture of snow and ice that comes every winter definitely falls in this category. While most SUVs will be a solid choice, the news source points to the Toyota Land Cruiser as a solid example of a full-size SUV that will make short work of the winter season. With a history that includes military transport and a stint as the Royal Family's chosen vehicle, the Land Cruiser is renowned for its ability to transport a large amount of people and gear efficiently and safely.

Drivers searching for luxury cars don't have a ton of options when it comes to handling snow, but the Audi brand's signature "Quattro" four-wheel drive is a good starting point for those who want a high-end car that can handle the snow. The news source recommends the A6 Avant as having plenty of room for the whole family in addition to the Quattro feature. An optional heated seat and dual climate control upgrade will keep everyone comfortable along the way.

There's no question that buying an SUV can be pricey, and even when shopping the used car market for discounted vehicles, buyers will likely be spending more than they would on a sedan or hatchback. That's why it's important to get all the features and performance possible out of an SUV at a reasonable price.

MSN Autos recently took a look at some of the top SUVs available on the market that can deliver great value without breaking the bank.

The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are two entry-level SUVs that have sold well for their respective companies over their lifespan. While the news source claims that both offer buyers good value, the RAV4 is a bit more flexible, allowing drivers the option to upgrade from a four-cylinder engine to a six-cylinder while the CR-V is four-cylinder only.

Ford had two entries on the list, but both models are aimed at very different segments of SUV buyers. The Ford Flex offers exactly what it's name implies: flexibility. This model is big enough for families to be seated comfortably, but also offers a more practical fuel economy rating and aggressive styling than more traditional SUVs. Meanwhile, the Ford Expedition is what many consider to be "traditional." Offering a ton of roominess, cargo and storage capacity, plus the ability to be outfitted for off-roading, the Expedition is a classic SUV that helped kick off the big car trend several years ago.

Chevrolet was also well-represented on the list, with the Equinox, Traverse and Tahoe all making the cut. The news source cited the Equinox's roominess and size as a major factor in the recommendation, noting that it offers near-midsize level space at a compact price. The Chevy Traverse is aimed at larger families, with seating for eight and a range of optional electronics upgrades that can make long hauls a bit easier. The Traverse is closely related to the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, which the news source also recommends. Yet the Tahoe may be the ultimate vacation vehicle, with class-leading fuel economy and enough towing capacity to haul a boat or trailer. Available upgrades can also bring the Tahoe close
to many luxury SUVs.

There's no shortage of options for buyers seeking value in the SUV market. Those who shop the used car lots can likely find a few of these highly-praised models for even further reduced prices.
 

With all three Detroit automakers on the verge of bankruptcy, the American car market needed an injection of innovation – and government assistance – to stay afloat. But with Ford avoiding a bailout, General Motors prepping to go public again and Chrysler now under the control of Fiat, it appears the fortunes of American-made vehicles are slowly turning around.

MSN Autos recently looked at some of the models that have helped the brands reinvent themselves in the past few years. For drivers interested in purchasing a vehicle, buying American can be an important consideration. Given the latest lineups of cars for sale offered by the Detroit Three, these buyers finally have some attractive options that can compete with foreign models.

Most agree that Ford's turnaround has been the most impressive. The automaker was the only one of the American companies to avoid a government bailout, shifting its focus to smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles. That said, new editions of classics like the Mustang and F-150 have ensured that the brand's legacy has safely transitioned to the modern era.

The news source highlighted the Ford Fiesta and Fusion as two models representative of the culture shift in Detroit. Rather than focus on big engines, the Fiesta subcompact and Fusion hybrid are the types of cars previously favored by Europe and Japan. Yet with each boasting more than 40 miles per gallon and stylish looks, the models have become winners at home as well.

General Motors has also been successful in its comeback, with its upcoming IPO beginning the process of ending control by the U.S. Treasury Department. The upcoming Chevy Volt will be one of the first electric vehicles in the country and was recently named Motor Trend's Car of the Year.

Yet the Volt isn't the only news at GM. The Cadillac brand has undergone a renaissance as well and looks to be challenging luxury automakers with the new CTS Coupe. GM has also partially reinvented the Buick nameplate with new models like the Enclave, LaCrosse and Regal Turbo that has led to a 60 percent sales increase for the brand, according to the news source.

Chrysler is often considered to be lagging behind its two rivals, and in many respects that's true. But hope is not lost for this classic brand, which is now under the control of the Italian automaker Fiat. The Jeep Grand Cherokee underwent a successful redesign this year, while the Ram brand has continued to sell well-made pickup trucks.

The Chrysler brand itself hasn't had many things to cheer about, but the 300, introduced in 2005, has been a success for the brand. This version of the 300 inspired the Dodge Charger and Challenger reboots as well. With a new 300 equipped with the powerful Pentastar V6 engine slated for showrooms in 2011, Chrysler will hope to duplicate that success, and with several other new models planned over the next year, including a redesigned Sebring dubbed the 200, it appears Chrysler is on the right track.

These acclaimed models may be a bit pricey now, so drivers interested in buying American may want to wait until they hit the used car market to take advantage of savings. 

"Where are they now?" It's always fun to do a little research and see what happened to obscure celebrities after they faded from the spotlight. Yet this game doesn't solely work with people. It's also interesting to track down some of history's most famous vehicles and see where they ended up.

MSN recently looked at several vehicles that became famous for one reason or another. Some ended up in the hands of collectors while others just narrowly avoided the scrapheap.

O.J. Simpson's infamous televised getaway brought the phrase "White Ford Bronco" into the public lexicon. So what became of the vehicle after the trial? The news source notes that the car was not actually owned by Simpson, but instead by his friend and former NFL player Al Cowlings. Reportedly, Cowlings sold the used Ford for a whopping $75,000 to a private buyer – but the sale was not without controversy. Cowlings was sued by a celebrity memorabilia company for allegedly reneging on a deal he had in place to sell the vehicle to them.

Even decades-old used cars can still resurface from time to time. Al Capone outfitted a 1928 Cadillac Town Sedan with bulletproof glass and 3,000 pounds of steel armor. After he was captured, the U.S. government impounded the car, only to later use it as part of Franklin Roosevelt's security detail. It was later sold to a Texas car collector, whose estate still owns it today.

The Dodge Charger shot to fame thanks to its use in the TV series "Dukes of Hazard." The story of the actual "General Lee" used on the show is pretty complicated. Multiple versions of the car were used in order to handle all the stunts, but the original model, known as "LEE 1," was salvaged from a junkyard by John Schneider, who played "Bo" on the TV series.

After restoring the car and holding onto it for a number of years, he eventually put it up for sale on eBay. It first looked like the car sold for close to $10 million dollars, but the bidder later withdrew that amount and it was sold in a second auction for an undisclosed sum. Collectors value other models used in production at between $200,000 and $300,000, according to AutoBlog.

One of the more recent examples of a car shooting to fame was the Cadillac Escalade driven by Tiger Woods on the night of his accident. That car was actually loaned to Woods by GM, who seized the vehicle after the incident. The news source reports that GM will use the car for internal purposes after repairing it, but will likely eventually sell it.

"These kinds of vehicles almost always go through a formal auction process," Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell told USA Today.

Although it's likely that any of these vehicles would fetch a high price tag at a used car auction, drivers interested in saving money shouldn't discount the auction format. Bidding on a used vehicle can net a driver big savings as opposed to negotiating with a dealer on a traditional lot. 

One of the advantages of waiting to buy a used car rather than immediately buying a new car as soon as it hits the market is the benefit of time and hindsight. If everybody knew how cars would be received and perform over time, it's unlikely that many of the weaker models would sell very well when stacked up against cars at a similar price point.

Drivers who are shopping for a used car may want to look at the models typically considered to be among the best in any given year, for example. Every year, automotive writers across the country vote on what they believe to be the North American Car and Truck of the year. Looking at these lists can give buyers a sense of which vehicles are generally accepted to be a cut above the rest.

This year looks to be as contentious as ever as multiple brands compete for the top awards. The Detroit Free Press recently looked at some of the top vehicles that made the shortlist this year. These 27 cars and trucks will eventually be narrowed down to 3 in each class on December 16th, with the overall winner revealed on January 10th at the North American International Auto Show.

Two vehicles that were unsurprisingly included on the list were the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf. Though both models have yet to be fully released, they each have a strong chance to win based on their heavily-hyped game-changer status alone. General Motors has been heavily pushing the Chevy Volt as a fuel-efficient compromise for many Americans, while Nissan took a risk by going fully electric straight out of the gate. It remains to be seen how these cars will do when they hit the market, but either makes a strong case for Car of the Year.

Hyundai pulled no punches with its redesigned Sonata, taking aim at the typically-dominant mid-size sedans like the Toyota Camry and Honda Civic. By all accounts, the South Korean automaker pulled it off, delivering a stylish yet affordable sedan that is helping Hyundai shed its "budget" image.

Small cars have gotten a big boost thanks to the flailing economy, and the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Juke and Chevy Cruze all made waves this year, earning places on the short list. The Fiesta changed the auto industry's approaching marketing, as the vehicle's brisk sales proved that Ford's social media strategy was a winner. The Juke has turned heads as a compact crossover with some aggressive styling. The news source said that the Cruze could possibly be "Chevy's best small car ever and GM's best-selling car," no small feat for a brand with such a long history.

In the truck segment, there was a bit of a surprise as no pickups made the list. New looks for old favorites like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer and Honda Odyssey may be tough to beat, but it might be the innovators, like the Infiniti QX56 and Ford Edge, that end up taking home top honors.