Cars Trucks & Bucks: Cheap Wheels

Tom Appel of Consumer Guide Automotive identifies some capable new models that cost less than 20K and might fit your small budget. We\'ll also discuss smart shopping strategies for new an used vehicles and other mone saving topics.

Consumer Guide Automotive

Established in 1967, Consumer Guide is one of the longest-running auto-review operations in the country. First online in 1995, we were also one of the first car-test organizations to hit the web.

Tom Appel

Beginning with a high school service-station job pumping gas and turning wrenches, Tom has usually managed to work around cars. Earlier, Tom was often found holding the flashlight for his father while he performed some needed repairs on a family vehicle. During college, Tom worked for Chrysler as a product specialist, staffing one of six experimental in-mall showrooms set up around the country. Tom also tried his hand at selling cars, spending several months learning (but not mastering) the trade at a domestic-brand dealership in the early 1990s. He has also worked in fleet leasing, specializing in Chevrolet and GMC light-duty trucks. During his time as a market research analyst and focus-group moderator, Tom worked with manufacturers and suppliers including General Motors, OnStar, and Porsche. Tom joined Consumer Guide® in 2001 as an editor and became Associate Publisher in 2008. Tom moved into the publisher’s role in 2012. Tom is also president emeritus of the Midwest Automotive Media Association. He lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, daughter, two cats, about 50 fish, and several antique German tube radios. He is often called to chat about cars “on air.” Tom is a regular guest on Drive Chicago on WLS radio, the Nick Digilio Show and Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder Show on WGN radio in Chicago, and on the nationally syndicated Greensense Radio. Tom’s blog posts have earned him two International Automotive Media Award gold medals.

Consumer Guide Automotive