13 Best Used Cars Worth Their Price Tag

Buying used cars has always been a slippery slope. With cars becoming more and more reliable and the economy less and less supportive, used cars are a more appealing option than ever.

But all used listings aren’t created equal. Some cars hold up better than others long-term.

So we hit the hunt for the best used cars that are actually worth their money. We prioritized vehicles with high safety and reliability ratings and low ownership costs, ensuring used models have limited unresolved problems.

And in the spirit of accessibility, these 13 models can all be copped used for less than ten grand.

Audi A3

The Audi A3 is a slick luxury hatchback with a comfy interior and class-leading performance–we’re talking sports car specs. This car has been reliable for generations, and you can get a 2009 model for less than $8,000–worth every penny.

The Audi A3 is a 5-seater with FWD and AWD selectability capable of 250hp. And if you’re looking for a family vehicle, this zippy little hatchback might have less leg room in the rear than the competition, but its safety ratings are through the roof.

Buick Verano

The Buick Verano has elevated safety and reliability ratings, making it an unsung hero when it comes to used cars that are worth every penny. The Verano has a generous trunk capacity, a peaceful, noise-blocking cabin, and a surprisingly potent Veran Turbo engine.

The 2013 Buick Verano came with a rearview camera, a safety suite that featured blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, and an infotainment system. With a 5/5 reliability and 9.8/10 safety rating, I’d say a used 2013 Verano is worth every cent of the $9,000-$10,000 they sell for.

Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle is possibly the most iconic hatchback ever manufactured. It might not be the roomiest hatch on the block, but the 2013 Beetle came with a standard suite of features, a potent turbo engine option, a diesel-powered option, and ‌impressive fuel economy regardless.

At the higher end of our price range, a used VW Beetle costs somewhere between $9 and $16 grand. Reviewers praise the Beetle for its performance, fun factor, and driveability.

Honda Fit

The Honda Fit is the quintessential subcompact hatchback, with ample leg room and a generous cargo capacity. The Fiot might only generate 117hp, but this easy-handling hatchback is fun to drive.

The Honda Fit has one of the highest reliability ratings around. It’s also cheap on ‌upkeep and low maintenance, making it one of the best used cars for less than nine grand.

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is another tremendous used car option. A 2011 model costs just about ten grand, and it gives 50 miles to the gallon, saving you even more money.

The Prius boasts a comfortable interior, ample cargo space, class-leading fuel economy, and high-reliability ratings. While it’s not the most exhilarating in terms of horsepower and steering dynamics, it’s rated to have some of the lowest ownership costs around.

MINI Cooper

The Mini Cooper is either the closest thing to a car a street-legal go-kart can be or as close to a go-kart as a car can get. It offers swift handling, power-packed and turbocharged engine options capable of up to 211hp, and a manual transmission that shifts with razor-sharp precision.

The MiniCooper has high safety and low cost of ownership ratings. A 2013 Mini Cooper goes for an average of $7,278-12,527.

Chevrolet Volt

The Chevrolet Volt launched in 2011 to lead the midsize sedan class in efficiency. The Volt is a true hybrid, with a decent electric range and a gasoline engine the driver can use when they need a charge.

The Volt was celebrated for its smooth handling. It has a safety rating of 9.5 and is high-reliability–low maintenance. Used 2011 Volts go for less than ten grand.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic’s dependability ratings are no secret–Honda reliability is something nerds say to sound like car geeks. But there’s a reason. In addition to its rock-steady reliability numbers and class-leading safety scores, the Civic is a secure choice for the whole family.

The Civic boats have a comfortable interior, smooth rideability, and effortless handling. A used 2012 Civic in good condition can cost anywhere from 6 to 12 grand, depending on the trim and mileage.

Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevy Sonic has one of the best safety scores in the subcompact class. It has a spacious trunk and roomy cabin and safety features such as a rearview camera and forward collision and lane departure warnings.

The Chevy Sonic has tight handling, making it a zippy little hatchback that’s as fun to drive as it is comfortable to ride in. The 2014 Sonic is available on the used market for between $7,000 and $10,500.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a celebrated classic among used car geeks. Its legendary fuel economy is matched by some of the sportiest handling in the two-seat convertible game.

The MX-5 Miata stocks a manual transmission that’s as fun to shift to anything we’ve driven. This lightweight convertible has an accessible 167 horsepower and a 9.1 ownership cost rating, making it a steal of a used deal worth every penny of the nine grand it costs.

Scion xB

It might not be our favorite-looking car concept, but there’s no denying that the Scion XB is highly rated in value by used car shoppers. For starters, the average price paid for a used 2009 Scion xB is low–like $5,755-$6,675.

The Scion xB boasts a spacious interior with ample storage capacity and a pack of tech and safety features that come standard. It has a legendaryly low ownership cost, which means the previous owner was incentivized to keep up with the basic service visits. With high reliability and safety ratings, the exB is a cheap and safe gamble for a used car option.

Kia Rio

The Kia Rio offers a long list of tech and safety prices for a short price tag, especially if you buy it used. Kia fits the Rio with an elegant cabin, considering it’s in the subcompact sedan class. It also has a generous cargo capacity compared to other hatchbacks.

However, the Rio is fun to drive, believe it or not, especially once you get the hang of employing the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The 2015 Kia Rio has a low ownership cost and an average used listing price between $8,000 and $10,000.

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is a subcompact sedan with celebrated and efficient performance specs, a comfortable cabin, and a Super Fuel economy package that earned some impressive fuel-mileage figures.

The Fiesta is also celebrated for its high safety ratings and low-maintenance upkeep routine. With an average price of between $5 and $6 grand, the Fiesta is a used car worth every penny.