need help with vinyl

I have an old Pioneer PL-516 with new belt and stylus. It plays great on virgin records but I have bought used records the last 3 years in anticipation of going to an all vinyl lp collection of Jazz mostly.... I can't get static and popping off of these records & can't tell if old records are worthwhile without playing them & I am often suprised by all the background noise. They LOOK ok! I like cd's becuse of their "cleanness" but like the vinyls range and warmness when good. It's like the old "...when she's good she's very, very, good, and when bad very very bad." I can't spend any money on expensive machines. Of 60 LP's only 10 are decent & those are recent, 15 to 20 year old rock & popular albums. Maybe I shouldn't ever buy $5.00 used records & expect them to play but it's so much fun finding old jazz records! I hate to shop or buy records on the internet...no fun! I did notice that I have to clean the record and the needle every time but their still is a surface noise problem with most records. I know it's NOT my set-up or machine because a few play perfectly with NO NOISE....! What are some basic steps & rules for a great vinyl collection & system...? What am I missing here..? I use the felt pad & cleaning liquid religiously- thanks in advance