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Autotrader picks best cars for 2015's college grads

Summer is here and the school season is winding to a close. That means millions of students will be graduating college and (hopefully) entering the workforce. For many, that will mean buying a new car suited to the new stage in life into which they will now be embarking. That can be a bewildering choice, especially for someone who's never bought a car before. Fortunately, Autotrader has come up with a short list of recommended cars – new and used – which it recommends to the graduating class of 2015. Among the site's top choices are some compelling crossovers and hatchbacks, including the Buick Encore, Chevy Trax, and Jeep Renegade, as well as the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa Note, Mazda3 and Fiat 500. Can't stretch to buying new, or don't see the point? Autotrader has also identified the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and even the Lexus IS as smart buys in the certified pre-owned category. "Any time someone goes through a major life change, such as graduating college, they need to determine if their current ride makes sense for their lifestyle, from both a financial and functional perspective," says Autotrader editor Brian Moody. "For example, while that hand-me-down SUV from your parents was nice when you turned 16, you may want to opt for a safer, more fuel-efficient car as you transition into the working world." Autotrader Names 10 Best Cars for Recent College Graduates ATLANTA, May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For many, graduating college is a milestone like no other – it represents a new chapter, a proud accomplishment and, fortunately or unfortunately, financial independence. Luckily for graduates who are in the market for a new car to suit their post-college lifestyle, Autotrader's expert editors say now is a great time to make a purchase, as dealerships are flush with affordable models that are fun, fuel-efficient and thoughtfully designed. Autotrader Logo "Any time someone goes through a major life change, such as graduating college, they need to determine if their current ride makes sense for their lifestyle, from both a financial and functional perspective," said Brian Moody, site editor for Autotrader.

Watch divers pull 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1, Mazda RX-7 from a river

It’s like the ultimate barn find, only swap out the relatively ideal dry confines of a barn for a watery grave. Adventures with Purpose, a YouTube channel devoted to the exploits of a group of divers in Oregon that specializes in pulling submerged cars from the water, recently found six vehicles in the Tualatin River, near Portland. The most notable finds? A 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 fastback and a Mazda RX-7 sports car, plus a Chevrolet LUV pickup, which is not shown being pulled from the water. As you might expect, neither are exactly in top condition, with the badly rusted Mustang basically disintegrating into scrap pieces as itÂ’s pulled onto a flatbed truck parked on a boat ramp. The RX-7, meanwhile, is caked with mud, its windshield and roof crumpled, but itÂ’s basically intact. A hat tip goes to CarBuzz for spotting the videos. The divers use inflatable salvage bags to help raise the vehicles. They removed the MustangÂ’s rusted and encrusted V8 first — the '73 model came with either 302 or 351 engines — and had to pause to remove some of the thick mud that had built up inside the car. Other things they found from both pulls include an old sledgehammer, a stop sign and a rusted Washington state license plate. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The crew say they received a call from someone who told them theyÂ’d find plenty of vehicles in the river. The whole Mach 1 salvage operation took two days. “A lot of you are going to be a bit upset at how destroyed the Mustang Mach 1 became after we tried removing it from the river,” the team wrote in its description. “In our defense, there was an extra 8,000 pounds of mud inside the car, along with the Mustang being underwater in the river for over 40 years.” The Adventures with Purpose team says it has recovered 326 cars, six guns, two bodies and a tractor, among things. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.     Ford Mazda Coupe Performance Classics

Next Mazda CX-9 spied for first time

After plenty of rumors, we finally have our first look at the second-generation Mazda CX-9. Development of the crossover look to be very far along based on these of production bodies hidden under form-fitting camouflage. The overall aesthetic, based on what we can see here, is very much in keeping with Mazda's handsome Kodo design language. The CX-9 you see here looks pretty much like a Mazda3 scaled up about 279.3 percent, with a five-pointed grille and expressive headlights prefacing a sculpted, swooshy body. In back, there's an aggressively raked rear window that won't do any favors for cargo capacity, but makes for a handsome silhouette. And if previous Mazdas are any indication, we'd expect the CX-9 to feature a very handsome, high-quality cabin, although it's impossible to see in these images. According to our spy photographers, the new CX-9 will abide by Mazda's Skyactiv philosophy, which should make for both an entertaining an efficient three-row crossover. A 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder will be the engine of choice, replacing the antiquated V6 of the current model, and will be available with an all-wheel-drive system. While this engine is slated for the CX-9, enthusiasts should take note that this first Skyactiv turbo will likely form the basis of future Mazdaspeed efforts. As previously reported, the CX-9 will make its debut this November at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2017 model. Should any info pop up before then, expect to see it here.