Searching for an excellent used automotive however have a restricted price range? You are not alone. Vehicles and vehicles are getting pricier with each passing yr, and a restricted stock following the continued coronavirus pandemic hasn’t helped. In case you can handle to stretch your price range to $10,000, there are some strong choices to select from within the used market.
We challenged the Autoblog editors to search out an excellent, versatile used automotive — word, this record is particularly for automobiles, not vehicles or SUVs, which we cowl in a separate record — for $10,000 or much less, and that is what we got here up with. When there are particular fashions or choices to search for, we’ll attempt to clarify why it issues. Every entry features a hyperlink to our categorised advertisements, the place you possibly can slender down your decisions utilizing your location and sliders for value and mileage. Take note of the deal score to be sure you’re getting the most effective value doable.
In case your tastes run nearer to the perimeter of the automotive phase, check out our Future Traditional sequence the place we spotlight fascinating and generally forgotten automobiles from the previous. For the remainder of us preferring to remain nearer to the mainstream, the choices beneath all boast no less than common anticipated reliability scores (typically better-than-average) and had been offered in sufficient numbers that there must be a number of choices close to you.
Finest used automobiles for $10,000 or much less
2009-2014 Acura TSX
We’re kicking the record off with the 2009-2014 Acura TSX just because we figured alphabetic order is nearly as good as anything. Our suggestion can be to stay with a four-cylinder engine to maximise practicality and reliability. Honda, which is Acura’s guardian firm, makes glorious four-cylinder engines, and the K24Z3-coded powerplant within the TSX isn’t any exception. The two.4-liter spins out 201 horsepower and revs very freely, delivering extra driving engagement than a lot of its opponents. It is accessible with a sweet-shifting guide transmission or, rather more generally, a five-speed computerized.
Discover an Acura TSX on the market close to you
2006-2011 BMW 3 Sequence
The BMW 3 Sequence enjoys a well-earned popularity as the category chief within the small sporty luxurious automotive phase. It is essential to bear in mind that restore and upkeep prices can be larger for a BMW than much less premium manufacturers, and it is doubtless that lower-end fashions with out some fascinating bells and whistles might supply a bit extra long-term reliability than the higher-end variations. BMW began promoting this era of the three Sequence, internally generally known as the E90, in 2006 right here within the States. Many had been offered in sedan and coupe kinds together with a smaller variety of wagons, and all variations are fascinating. A properly maintained mannequin with BMW’s lauded naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) inline-six engines ought to fall into the candy spot.
Discover a BMW 3 Sequence on the market close to you
2014-2015 Chevy Volt
There are loads of strong sensible causes to contemplate a used Chevy Volt. At first, it is economical to function. Drivers who can maintain their lead ft in test can count on to get between 25 and 50 miles of all-electric vary from GM’s Voltec drivetrain, which pairs a gasoline-fueled engine with a strong electrical motor and a battery pack that runs down the middle of the car. The EPA charges this model of the Volt at 38 miles of EV driving, and we have managed to beat that determine quite a few instances. The Volt is quiet and cozy for 4 passengers, and there is a respectable quantity of cargo house behind the again seats. On the draw back, whereas Volt batteries have usually confirmed fairly sturdy through the years, if one module does go unhealthy, alternative prices will be very costly.
Discover a Chevrolet Volt on the market close to you
2013-2016 Ford Fusion
Sedans have fallen out of favor with American patrons as crossovers and SUVs achieve reputation. That is mirrored in Ford’s lineup of autos in its house market — sedans and hatchbacks just like the Fiesta, Focus and Fusion are not provided. Nonetheless, Ford offered tons of of hundreds of those enticing midsize sedans over the course of a few a long time, and their low buy costs imply they make fascinating used autos. The second-generation mannequin seen above went on sale for the 2013 mannequin yr and ran till manufacturing led to 2020. The Titanium trim degree provides just about all of the goodies a contemporary driver will count on, and the accessible 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine’s 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque makes it really feel moderately enjoyable and peppy to drive. The Fusion has common anticipated reliability, however restore prices must be affordable for the American automaker.
Discover a Ford Fusion on the market close to you
2008-2012 Honda Accord
You are not more likely to come throughout a best-used-car-buys record and never see an Accord. Honda’s stalwart midsize sedan is a fixture on such lists as a result of it has been such a strong car for thus a few years, and the Accords that fall into this value vary had been constructed between 2008 and 2012. If you will discover a more recent instance, it is doubtless an inexpensive alternative, too. The sedan is commonest, however the Accord Coupe is the lovers’ alternative, notably when outfitted with Honda’s sweet-shifting six-speed guide transmission.
Discover a Honda Accord on the market close to you
2009-2013 Honda Match
The second Honda on our record is the automaker’s smallest, the Match. We’re not skipping the Honda Civic deliberately, it is a wonderful alternative. However the Match provides a surprisingly massive cabin as a result of its distinctive Magic Seat association, is enjoyable to drive and will get stellar gas financial system. Like most Hondas, it is dependable and feels particularly good with its revvy four-cylinder engine paired with a guide transmission. However even with the power-sapping computerized, the Match stays a wonderful alternative for somebody on the lookout for a small automotive that is straightforward to park almost anyplace.
Discover a Honda Match on the market close to you
2007-2010 Lexus GS 350
The Lexus lineup is stuffed with strong choices for a used-car purchaser on the lookout for a cushty and dependable car beneath $10,000. The ES sedan shares loads of its laborious components with the Toyota Camry and Avalon, together with its V6 engines and computerized transmissions. The GS we’re suggesting is a distinct and extra fascinating animal, with a devoted platform and a spread of six- and eight-cylinder engines powering the rear (or all 4 on some fashions) wheels. We’re calling out the 2007-2010 GS 350 particularly, however the V8-powered GS 460 (which might do 0-60 in 5.5 seconds) can be a solidly dependable alternative. Both means, the strong chassis, luxurious inside (although with an oddly tight rear seat) and quiet trip are all main bonuses at this value vary.
Discover a Lexus GS on the market close to you
2006-2012 Mazda Miata
Certainly you are not shocked to see the Miata on this record. Mazda’s long-running little sports activities automotive is a blast to drive, will be discovered at affordable costs all throughout the USA and is solidly dependable. We’re highlighting the third-generation NC mannequin right here, however older variations of the automotive are equally enjoyable to drive, so be at liberty to solid a large internet when looking for the proper instance. Naturally, a small two-seat convertible is not going to work as main transportation for everybody, but when it really works for you, count on to have numerous enjoyable behind the wheel.
Discover a Mazda Miata on the market close to you
2014-2015 Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is the one absolutely electrical car on this record, but it surely’s one for lots of patrons. It does not boast the sort of electrified efficiency that units Tesla aside from most of its friends, and its 80-something-mile vary will not work for everybody. But when nearly all of your driving consists of a day by day commute to work with some around-town errands alongside the best way, the Leaf might very effectively serve your wants with mileage to spare. In case you do end up purchasing for a Leaf, be sure that to take it for a check drive and be aware of the estimated mileage accessible with a full battery. Nissan fitted its mass-market EV with a kind of battery well being monitor with a sequence of bars to point how a lot capability is obtainable, and autos handled as kindly as doable might have more healthy batteries than automobiles often pushed in harsher environments or situations.
Discover a Nissan Leaf on the market close to you