When it comes to cars, “value” most often brings up negative connotations. But drivers who haven’t bought a new car in awhile should know that as technology becomes more affordable, the value cars of today are, in many ways, as powerful as some of the mid-range cars of yesteryear.

In this tough economy, it pays to save whenever possible, and that’s doubly true for large purchases such as cars. Many Americans opt to save money by going to a used auto dealer rather than a new one. Another advantage of a used car dealer is that they will frequently have a large selection of cars for sale. And when users head to an auto auction, those savings and selection become even greater.

MSN Auto recently listed its picks for the best value cars within each class. Using this as a guide in conjunction with the cars offered by their local used car dealer, consumers can get a great car at the right price.

The figures quoted here are the sticker prices that will be on display at most new dealers. It goes without saying that used car prices will be even cheaper.

The subcompact class has become increasingly popular because the vehicles always get great gas mileage. Although much has been made of the redesigned Ford Fiesta, the news source’s choice is the Honda Fit. In addition to its maneuverability, the Fit also has a ton of cargo space; 57.3 cubic feet, to be exact, which is the same as the much larger Nissan Rogue.

But some families will simply find subcompacts to be impractical for their needs. For these car buyers, there’s the minivan market. Those searching for a used minivan may want to look at the Honda Odyssey. This van has seating for eight and tons of configurations to fit everything a family needs, plus various powertrain options that can make the model quite powerful for a van. The best part about the Odyssey, however, is that Honda will soon debut its redesigned model, meaning many of these late-model vehicles will find their way onto the used car market.

Some car buyers may be looking to not only save on their initial purchase, but at the pump as well. These shoppers may want to take a look at one of the various hybrid models. But before drivers are drawn to the used Toyota Priuses, they should consider the Ford Fusion Hybrid, according to the news source. For about the same price, the Fusion boasts a much more powerful engine while still getting 41 mpg in the city.

Finally, some car buyers use the used car market in order to get deals on luxury cars that would normally cost an arm and a leg, like used BMWs. These potential car buyers may want to look at the BMW 3-Series, which has won acclaim as one of the best sports sedans on the market. In addition, there are a host of different variations to choose from, including sedan, coupe, wagon and convertible.

By knowing some of the top models available, car buyers can find value on the used market and drive home in a vehicle that’s right for them.