Best used cars under $10,000

A list from the used car listing site web2carz of the best used cars costing less than $10,000 intrigued me. The used car market is hot right now because so few people are willing to shell out cash for a brand new one. I’m a big fan of used cars, and my husband and I are toying with the idea of getting rid of our two cars for one family car. Convincing him to buy used is not a given but would save us thousands. I summarized the web2carz list below.

Fuel Efficient – 2004 Toyota Prius

Used fuel-efficient cars are in growing demand. Even the newest hybrid technologies can be found used. A 2004 Toyota Prius is a great buy if you are looking to save money at the pump, but you will certainly pay for it in the pedal. A used 2004 Prius will average you 48mpg-city/45mpg-hwy.

Luxury Cars – 2003 Lexus ES300

Used luxury cars retain their value more than their

stripped-down compact counterparts. Consumers attracted to luxury often want speedy performance””a hard to find package for just $10,000. Remember what features you are looking for in a used luxury, and weigh the loaded perks against performance and price. The 2003 Lexus ES300 is more luxury than sport, but compared to its faster competitors, the ES300 give you grandeur interior comfort, a relaxed and smooth ride, superb safety technologies, and an acclaimed reliability rating.

Sports Cars – 2004 Mazda Miata MX-5

Look for something with lower mileage, and demand the owner take a polygraph to confirm the car wasn’t beat on””too much. For Used Sports Cars under $10k, a 2004 Mazda Miata does justice. At first glance they look, well, a bit puny. Curvy and akin to retro, the 2004 Miata beckons space-invasion, and grandma’s little roadster. Nimble, tight, and responsive, the 1.8-liter 4-cyliner Miata Mx-5 is a joy to drive around town or down the small stretch. As for highway passing speeds, on the other hand, the Miata is a bit noisy. It gets 20mpg-city/26mpg-hwy.

SUVs and Crossovers –  2004 Honda CRV

The 2004 Honda CR-V is a reliable used SUV for buyers looking fuel efficiency, drivability, interior space and five-star safety in one package. The 2004 CR-V is equipped with 2.4-liter 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine that delivers 160 horsepower, and LX versions can be equipped with either front or all-wheel drive. Complaints about the Automatic-Transmission taken into account, the CR-V accelerates cleanly, and handles sharp. For 72 cubic feet of available cargo space, the 2004 Honda CR-V averages an exceptional 23mpg-city/28mpg-hwy.

Compact Trucks – 2005 Toyota Tacoma

Used Toyota trucks have been a hit in the compact class because they simply last forever. Throw words around like “reliability,” “durability,” and you begin to explain why a Toyota Tacoma resonates with used truck buyers. Available in a variety of trims, cab sizes, and V4 or V6 engine sizes, the Tacoma can be found in both two and 4-wheel drive editions. The smallest engine option, a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 142 horsepower and 160 pound-feet torque””averages 20mpg-city/25mpg-hwy. The larger 3.4—liter V6 spits out 190 horsepower and 220 lb-ft torque, and can haul up to 5,000 lbs. Downside to Tacoma is minimal interior comforts and limited features on the base models.

Used Full-Size Trucks – 2007 Ford F-150

As the best selling vehicle for 20 years, the Ford F-series balances a comfortable style for daily commuting with a rugged durability for the heavy haul or tow. A truck for the comfortable weekend tow, a used 2007 Ford F-150 offers regular cab, SuperCab and SuperCrew cab models. It has three engine options, including a 4.2-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8, and 5.4-liter V8. Compared to competitors, the heavier F-150 is not as quick, and is said to be sluggish under heavy tow.