Consumer Reports Best Used Cars for Under $10,000 Update

If your search for a good used car with significant depreciation over the past 3-5 years has been fruitless, now may be the right time to look even further back for models at an even lower price that still include desirable amenities and safety features with a recent update of a Consumer Reports analysis of older used cars that date as far back as 14 years ago when they were in their prime.

Looking for the Best Used Car Under $10,000

According to automotive analysts at Consumer Reports, their new updated listing is based on two factors:

1. How well the models performed in their tests when new.
2. The results of their Annual Auto Surveys of CR members who report annually on the reliability of their vehicles.

“We have data that goes back 20 years on many models, so we can also tell you which will be dependable, and which could end up being expensive to maintain,” states the CR update.

The benefit to mining data from past annual surveys is that it provides used car shoppers with information on which models have proven to be dependable and could be a good buy provided their maintenance and care were all well-managed.

Related article: Mechanic Talks Candidly About the Best Used Car You Should Not Buy

Be forewarned, however, as with older vehicles you will have to make some concessions when it comes to road noise and comfort. Especially for trips that are longer than a few hours, let alone a road trip that can become more arduous than fun in these old cars. In fact, some models are recommended as being more of urban runabout than a long-distance commuter.

That said, here is CR’s listing of the best used cars for under $10,000 that you can buy right now. For a more detailed breakdown on each vehicle, please visit the CR website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.

Related article:  Used Compact Cars with the Best Fuel Economy Says Consumer Reports

BEST USED CARS FOR LESS THAN $10,000

SMALL SEDANS

1. Honda Fit Year Models

2010: $6,775 - $7,925
2011: $6,775 - $7,925
2013: $7,925 - $9,550

Recommended Model: Honda Fit 2011 / Owner Reported MPG:  32 mpg / Price Range:  $6,775 - $7,325.

Consumer Report’s Key Findings:

• Rear seats that can be folded flat and low, or flipped up against the backrest creating a deep, flat floor that can accommodate bulky items.
• A small car possessing a responsive (albeit small) engine with agile handling makes it fun to drive.
• Due to a noisy engine it should be considered more of an urban runabout than a long-distance commuter.
• “For 2010 models, you should look for a loaded Fit with the navigation system to get ESC, which became standard in the 2011 model year,” recommends the update.

2. Mazda Year Models (only one recommended)

Recommended Model: Mazda 3 2013 / Owner Reported MPG:  32 mpg / Price Range:  $6,450 - $10,275.

Consumer Report’s Key Findings:

• Road-test score near the top of their small-car rankings for the model year.
• Available with either a fuel frugal Mazda’s SkyActiv 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder for more power—but at the coast of less fuel efficiency.
• Steering and handling with a tight turning circle makes this an agile and enjoyable ride.
• Possesses a well-designed interior with good materials and comfortable seats; however, rear-seat room is tight.
• “BSW was optional in 2013, so try to find a model that was built with this helpful safety feature,” recommends CR analysts.

3. Toyota Corolla Year Models

2010: $6,800 - $7,525
2011: $7,625 - $8,450
2012: $8,225 - $9,100
2013: $8,850 - $9,800

Recommended Model: Toyota Corolla 2012 / Owner Reported MPG:  30 mpg / Price Range:  $7,700 - $8,375.

Consumer Report’s Key Findings:

• The Corolla’s 1.8-liter, 132-hp, four-cylinder engine delivers average performance, but with excellent fuel economy with both the four-speed automatic and the five-speed manual transmission versions.
• Handles soundly but isn’t engaging to drive, rates CR analysts who point to steering that is light in feel and vague on centering. However they found the turn-in response to be prompt and demonstrates a tight turning circle capability.
• The suspension system handles bumps well making the overall ride feel supple and controlled on the highway.
• “Relatively quiet and the rear seat is roomier compared with the previous model. Interior fit and finish isn’t quite as good, though,” points out the update.

MIDSIZED AND LARGE SEDANS

1. Honda Accord Year Models (only one recommended)

Recommended Model: Honda Accord 2012 / Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg / Price Range:  $8,325 - $9,900.

Consumer Report’s Key Findings:

• Stands out as a comfortable, roomy, and efficient midsized sedan.
• Possesses a smooth CVT (continuously variable transmission) matched with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Can expect an excellent 30 mpg overall and 40 mpg on the highway.
• The 3.5-liter V6 version is quick at 6.3-seconds from 0-to-60 mph, but with lower fuel efficiency expected at 26 mpg overall fuel economy. Still, according to CR analysts, it is among the best in the V6 class during its time.
• The best driving seating positioning with comfortable seats and great visibility.
• Backup camera comes standard.

2. Lexus Year Models (only one recommended)

Recommended Model: Lexus ES 2011/ Owner Reported MPG:  24 mpg / Price Range:  $9,725.

Consumer Report’s Key Findings:

• It is a luxury car in a manageably sized package.
• Quick and yet sparing with fuel, returning 26 mpg overall in CR road tests. Not necessarily fun to drive, however, it is one of the best-riding cars in its class.
• Rear-seat side airbags are standard equipment.
• “Its few negatives include limited rear-seat headroom and partly obscured rear visibility,” states the update,

3. Toyota Avalon Year Models

2010: $8,050 - $9,400
2011: $9,725 - $10,125

Recommended Model: Toyota Avalon 2011 / Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg / Price Range:  $9,300 - $9,325.

Consumer Report’s Key Findings:

• A 268-hp, 3.5-liter V6 provides quick acceleration while providing decent fuel economy at an expected 23 mpg in mixed driving on regular fuel.
• Handling corners is with a fair amount of body roll but not much agility.
• The low-effort steering is linear, though it is not particularly quick or communicative.
• The stability control system intervenes decisively to keep the car on its path.
• Revised interior with an improved control layout and nicer dashboard materials.
• Interior is very roomy, with supportive front seats and a spacious rear seat with reclining seatbacks.
• “The smooth-riding Avalon could easily pass for a luxury car costing tens of thousands of dollars more,” states CR analysts.

4. Toyota Camry Year Models

2010: $9,725 - $10,125
2011: $7,700 - $9,200
2012: $8,675 - $10,250
2013: $9,600 - $11,450

Recommended Model: Toyota Camry 2012 / Owner Reported MPG:  27 mpg / Price Range:  $8,475 - $9,475.

Consumer Report’s Key Findings:

• One of the best family sedans with a quiet, spacious, and comfortable cabin.
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic deliver 26 mpg overall.
• Handling is sound and secure.
• Powertrain versions include the 2.5-liter, 178-hp four-cylinder (27 mpg overall), the optional 3.5-liter, 268-hp V6 (24 mpg overall), and the 200-hp four-cylinder hybrid (38 mpg overall).
• The interior is relatively quiet, and the suspension readily absorbs bumps.
• Plenty of interior space and the controls are easy to use except for some tight-packed touchscreen buttons.
• A backup camera and a power driver’s seat are standard.

SUVs

1. Toyota Venza Year Models

2011: $8,650 - $10,650
2012: $9,075 - $12,850

Recommended Model: Toyota Venza 2012 / Owner Reported MPG:  21 mpg / Price Range:  $8,450 - $11,450.

Consumer Report’s Key Findings:

• A reliable choice for drivers who do not want an SUV.
• Roomy with a noticeably quiet interior, and cabin access is easy.
• “An optional 3.5-liter V6 is refined and pulls strongly, although the Venza’s 20 mpg overall in our tests is no better than the non-hybrid Highlander,” states CR analysts adding that, “On the road, the Venza winds up being less pleasant to drive than the bigger and more refined Highlander. Giant 20-inch wheels hurt the ride, and handling is nothing special.”
•  A sloping roof inhibits cargo volume and the rear window view.

For additional articles about buying older used vehicles, here are two titled “Consumer Reports Most Reliable Used Truck Recommendations” and “Consumer Reports Reveals How to Find Hidden Problems in a Used Car Before Buying It.”

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites  and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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