Maybe it's time for me to get that used Cadillac DTS I've always wanted. Cadillac has enhanced its certified pre-owned program in a move targeted at both quality and quantity.

I won't go into the details of the expanded Cadillac certified pre-owned program (because I want you to click the link) but I will say it's a move that demonstrates GM has made great strides in quality. It's fiscal suicide to promote a bumper-to-bumper warranty for up to six years or 70,000 miles (whichever comes first) if your product quality is suspect. The company would head back into bankruptcy if that was the case.

The move is also being done to bring more used Cadillacs into the certified pre-owned field because now GM's luxury division covers more of its certified pre-owned vehicles than BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.

So, if you've been thinking about buying a certified pre-owned Cadillac, now might be a good time to act.

There's a disturbing number circulating out there. According to AutoRemarketing.com, "CNW Research indicated that each month between September of last year and February of this year, approvals for subprime customers rose by at least 40 percent year-over-year."

On the surface that sounds like a good thing because it means more people are getting into used cars after a couple years of tight credit. But that's what lead us to tight credit problems: too many folks borrowing over their head.

It's astounding to hear that new car loans are approaching seven years and some used car loans are inching up to six years. That's just way too long for most people to pay for a used car. If it's going to take you more than four years to pay off a used car, you're probably buying too much used car.

Now, I know it's tempting to get out there and get as much as you can, but don't buy a used car just because you can. Make do with something more affordable. That's a great way to no longer be a sub-prime buyer.

It's always fun to be part of a judging panel, especially when the topic is used cars. Heck, what could be more perfect for yours truly than to be a judge of the WheelsTV.com and New England Motor Press Association Previously Owned Vehicle awards?

The ultimate winner we selected was the 2011 Grand Cherokee. It was a no-brainer for me because I called it the American Range Rover when I reviewed it for the Boston Globe way back when. It's a much better SUV Range Rover at tens of thousands of dollars less and is no less capable off-road.

We selected some other good previously owned vehicles including the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Corolla, and my bucket list car, the Audi A8. What can I say? I have champagne tastes on a Budweiser budget.

Anyway, feel free to question our collective wisdom by commenting below. I'm sure there has to be some dissent about the top prize.

When I was in college, and for about four months after, I worked summers and winter vacations at a rental car lot shuttling cars among various cities and the local airport. Heck, I even got to drive the shuttle bus once in a while, which is why I am comfortable continuing to recommend used rental cars for buyers.

However (bet you were expecting a but), there's a trend in the used rental car market, which I explain in my article: How Used Rental Cars Can Be a Bargain. The good used rental cars are being sold by the rental car companies that earned a lot of money off them.

The bad ones, on the other hand, are being sold at auction and recently there's been some trepidation from wholesalers about buying used rental cars. It only makes sense because the good rental cars have become the certified pre-owned used cars of the rental car dealership lots.

Have you owned a used rental car? I have and I loved it. Frankly, I sold it too early and probably could have driven it for 10 years or more. Comment below if you have owned one.