If you are looking for a good used car that has proven its worth with a good track record over the past 20 years, here are some used car models analysts at Consumer Reports rate as the best deals that can be found under $10,000 right now.
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Looking for Mr. Good Car
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.
A recent Consumer Reports analysis of older used cars that date as far back as 20 years ago when they were in their prime, was recently released for shoppers looking for their Mr. Good Car.
From their analysis, they created a new list of old cars with a focus on their performance when they were new and their reliability as they aged based on data from their Annual Auto Surveys of CR members. The benefit to mining data from past annual surveys is that it provides used car shoppers with information on which models are proven dependable and could be a good buy provided their maintenance and care were managed well.
Related article: Mechanic Talks Candidly About the Best Used Car You Should Not Buy
Be forewarned however, 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.
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: The Best and Worst Used Toyotas to Buy Recently Reviewed
BEST USED CARS FOR LESS THAN $10,000
1. 2012 to 2013 Mazda3
Recommended model: 2012 Mazda 3
Price Range: $7,775 - $11,075
Owner Reported MPG: 30 mpg
2. 2012 Mazda 6
Price Range: $7,625 - $11,400
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
3. 2013, 2015 to 2016 Nissan Leaf
Recommended model: 2013 Nissan Leaf
Price Range: $5,875 - $7,275
Owner Reported MPG: N/A
4. 2012 Toyota Corolla
Price Range: $10,050 - $10,975
Owner Reported MPG: 29 mpg
5. 2012 to 2013 Toyota Prius C
Recommended model: 2012 Toyota Prius C
Price Range: $9,350
Owner Reported MPG: 48 mpg
And finally…
For additional information about buying older used vehicles, here are two popular articles titled “Consumer Reports Most Reliable Used Truck Recommendations” and “Consumer Reports Reveals How to Find Hidden Problems in a Used Car Before Buying It.”
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Timothy Boyer is a Torque News 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 for daily new and used vehicle news.
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