Used cars have begun to receive a reputation for being beat up or crappy, when in reality, that’s not always true. While some of these cars may look slightly bruised from the outside, what goes on in the engine is what matters.
When buying a car, two of the most significant factors are the gas mileage and how often the vehicle is in the shop, which we want to be minimal. Buying a used car can be just as fun as buying a new vehicle; make sure you’re looking into a reliable vehicle before you get one plagued with breakdowns.
1. 2013 Subaru Legacy
The Legacy is an excellent addition to the Subaru family, providing all-wheel drive throughout their models, along with a well-sized engine. The sedan comes with minimal transmission issues, the most common problems among used cars. This year also includes advanced technological features such as keyless car entry and power-adjustable front seats.
2. 2007 Toyota Camry
The good old Toyota Camry is a car most people had as their first card. Being such a safe and reliable car, this was almost made to handle new drivers. The Camry is an excellent choice as a car, having fabulous gas mileage but still being extremely comfortable for the passengers.
3. 2007 Saturn Vue Hybrid
The Saturn Vue may have been a bit ahead of its time when it was released. It comes with unique features, such as having designated spots in the trunk for certain grocery items so they do not slide around while driving. When bought new, the Vue was set to have excellent gas mileage off the lot, but the mileage has taken quite a hit since then.
4. 2014 Kia Soul
Although this used car may still cost you up to almost $10,000, it is a very reliable, family-safe car. The Kia Soul has made quite the same for itself over the years, with having safety features to keep everyone safe. The Soul has impressive gas mileage and a smaller engine to pair with the outstanding safety features. The Kia has advanced features such as Bluetooth, which is pretty good for a car built in 2014.
5. Honda Civic
For the most part, the Honda Civic is a very cheap and overall great car for anyone. The Civic ranges from meager prices to mediocre but still maintains excellent quality. The small sedan has many options, such as a bigger engine or a coupe instead. This small but comfortable car has some of the best gas mileage!
6. 2014 Chevy Cruze
The smaller sedan has many great features, such as Bluetooth, a backup camera, and blind spot warnings. This car was made ahead of its time and has safety features that keep you and your kids safe. The Cruze has smooth handling while still having a good amount of speed.
7. 2016 Nissan Versa
This cheap option will land you at around $9,000, depending on the mileage. The Versa comes in two options: a hatchback and a sedan. Although the car has a smaller engine, that is made up with how much space is offered to the passenger and the people in the backseat. To pair with that, you get plenty of trunk space, whether the hatchback or the sedan.
8. 2008 Ford Ranger
Not a lot of people can buy used trucks for a reasonable price, but the Ford Ranger still has many great additions that make the car worth it. Although the car is a bit old and outdated, it has a short wheelbase, making it perfect for the off-roading adventures you may be getting yourself into. The Ranger is still perfect for your daily commute with only rear-wheel drive.
9. 2013 Kia Forte
A very comfortable ride, the Kia Forte also provides a quiet ride with an insulated cabin. With effortless steering, this makes for a perfect car for those with difficulty driving. The Forte is a reliable car with very few common issues; Kia makes this an excellent vehicle for everyone, but more specifically, older people, by having a lot of features for them.
10. 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
If you want to experience a fast but cheap car, this is the one for you. The Tiburon received a five out of five for the crash test, which is better than most vehicles. So not only is the Hyundai quick and safe, but it also comes for a cheap penny, being able to get them for about $7,000.
11. 2014 Nissan Sentra
The most significant factors when looking for a used car are comfort, reliability, cost, and safety. The Sentra covers most of that perfectly. The small sedan has a stylish interior and exterior, but just from the year 2014. Nissan has made a perfectly safe and reliable car for the Sentra.
12. 2013 Hyundai Accent
This smaller car has a four-cylinder engine but still provides enough power. The smaller vehicle has a sedan package and a hatchback option. While the car is small, there is still enough room for all passengers and room in the trunk. The used car will run you about $8,000. This car is perfect for traveling with a small family or daily tasks!
13. 2012 Ford Focus
When thinking about reliable cars, the Ford Focus should be a car that comes to mind. With sporty handling, the Focus is perfect for a first car, providing many safety features and advanced ones for the vehicle’s age. The Focus is an excellent size for a sedan, with a lot of room but great gas mileage.
14. 2013 Toyota Tacoma
Purchasing a used truck can be tough, with not only needing to check for quality but also being able to stay within a reasonable budget. The Tacoma meets most truck lovers’ wants, having a good-sized bed but not too bad on gas. Trucks are known for having super high gas mileage, and the Tacoma is much better because it is smaller than most trucks. The Tacoma has excellent handling but a bit of a form suspension system; overall, the Tacoma is excellent!
15. 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
The Malibu comes at around $10,000 and is a great mid-sized sedan. With a slightly bigger engine than most cars its size, the Malibu also has excellent gas mileage throughout the city but not on the highway. Since the vehicle is somewhat bigger than standard sedans, you are provided much more legroom and trunk room! This is an excellent vehicle for a small family, with advanced safety features to keep the kids safe!
16. 2015 Kia Rio
The Rio comes in a few different options, with a few being a sedan or hatchback. A customizable car, the small Kia has plenty of features that lighten up green flags for buyers, but it still comes at a low price of about $10,000. This is an excellent car if you plan on getting a car for long-term use because the Rio will last longer than most cars, with being able to stretch into the 20,000 range.
17. 2007 Honda Accord
The perfect mix between sporty and comfortable, the Accord checks many boxes on the criteria list. The basic-looking Honda is comfortable to sit in, and the drive provided is a smooth ride. The vehicle doesn’t have a lot of issues, with minimal problems throughout its lifetime.
18. 2013 Acura ILX
One of the best-looking cars you can get for this price, the ILX performs on many different levels. Acura knew what they were doing with this car, making it a very sporty-looking car, yet coming with many safety and advanced features you would not expect. Along with the safety features, the interior comes with beautiful leather stitching and a heavier price tag.
19. 2013 Hyundai Sonata
The 2013 Sonata is an excellent fit into the Hyundai family, with a powerful 4-cylinder engine and many safety features such as advanced traction control and stability control. The Sonata has been known for having excellent gas mileage, which pairs well with the spacious interior. While the sedan has many intriguing features, the vehicle costs only about $13,000.
20. 2011 Hyundai Elantra
A straightforward car, the Elantra does just enough to satisfy all customers. Since the Elantra is a fundamental car, coming with base model safety features and technology, the sedan has a bit of pop to the engine, which, for its size, does the job very well. With essential features, the Elantra is a very reliable car, only costing about $10,000.
21. 2007 Mazda 5
If you are looking for a car that gets the job done for a great price, the Mazda 5 is the perfect option. Mazda knew what they were doing with this car, giving room for six passengers. While the car fits a lot of people, it is still excellent for gas mileage. The Mazda engine in this car should stretch to at least two hundred thousand miles, yet only cost about $8,000.
22. 2013 Buick Verano
A higher-end budget vehicle, the Buick Verano provides more than enough. The mid-sized sedan has a four-cylinder engine or higher options, with plenty of room throughout the car. The Verano is highly reliable, with little to no transmission issues with the vehicle and staying intact throughout the rest of the body. The Buick is very safe and perfect for families, but also budget-friendly!
23. 2008 Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is outstanding in being fuel efficient while still having enough room for five passengers. This is a very inexpensive car, only costing about $7,000. While most models of Toyota Corollas are reliable, the 2008 model sticks out due to how simple it is, getting the job done still.
24. 2013 Honda Fit
The lightweight engine within makes for a more powerful yet steady steering system. The Honda Fit is a highly reliable car, able to hold five passengers comfortably within. The small hatchback comes with a meager price tag of about eight thousand dollars, but the engine can push well past two hundred thousand miles.