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How can you rate the value of used cars? Some cars are sold at high prices with too many miles on the odometer, while others seem like great values.
The pre-owned market has felt like a roller coaster of prices over the past few years. Thankfully, with things leveling off, you can expect to find some excellent models at great prices. When you turn to these used models to be the right cars to drive, you’ll be glad you did. Here are just a few of the vehicles you should consider when shopping for a pre-owned vehicle that gives you many years of excellent driving.
When your budget is tight, here’s what you buy
If you’ve only got $10,000 to spend because your budget is tight, you can get a great vehicle at this price. Look for a 2014-2020 Hyundai Elantra. This is the top choice from AutoBlog which gives you a compact car that has enough room for a small family to enjoy the drive together. The Elantra has a solid reputation as a reliable car, making it easy to enjoy the ride.
Two other great options are the 2017-2019 Kia Soul and Toyota Camry, which can both be found at prices that fit your budget.
Which EV will fit in your tight budget?
If you want to drive electric but you don’t have a lot to spend, the right choice is a 2011-2017 Nissan Leaf. This car has a driving range of 73-84 miles on a single charge. This is good when you only have a short distance to go during your commute. While this Leaf is part of the early models that offered only a short deriving distance when you’re ready to take this amazing EV out on the road.
Are there any good SUVs under $10,000?
The Dodge Journey may not be offered as a new vehicle any longer, but it’s one of the best used cars you can buy that will fit into your budget. Look for a model from the 2011-2020 range which could make it easy for you to take your family out for a drive. The Journey was offered with a Pentastar V6 engine or the underpowered 4-cylinder engine that gave this SUV enough power for the drive.
Another great option in this price range is the 2014-2017 Nissan Rouge.
Will you find a used truck that fits in your budget?
Several trucks could fit your needs, but if you want to choose one that’s not too old, the 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota could be the perfect truck for you. This truck came with a 3.7-liter V6 engine but had a couple of optional V8 engines available that made it an excellent choice when you want a great truck to drive.
If you want to find a full-size used truck instead of a midsize model, the 2008-2012 Nissan Titan could be the truck that’s right for you to drive.
What happens when you expand your budget?
If you have up to $15,000 to spend on your used car, there are some great options for you. One of the best used cars is the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt. This is one of the original plug-in hybrid cars in the market, making it easy for you to drive up to 35 miles on electricity and enjoy an efficient hybrid engine after that.
Other excellent used cars under $15,000 are the 2016-2017 Honda Civic, Mazda Miata, and 2014-2017 Mini Cooper.
Can you find a used SUV under $15,000?
When you’ve increased your budget to $15,000, the right SUV for you to enjoy driving could be the Mazda CX-5. This small crossover has an efficient, reliable, and fun-to-drive build that makes it an easy choice that fits perfectly into your budget.
You might also find a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 in this same price range when you’re looking for an affordable small SUV to drive.
Moving up to the full-size SUV market, you could enjoy the drive of a 2000-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe. This SUV has one of the best GM small-block V8 engines under the hood.
Can you have a truck for this price?
Look for a pickup truck at the $15,000 mark, and you’ll enjoy a used pickup with excellent driving manners. You can find many Toyota Tacoma models at this price. Check for rust, but this could be a great deal for you to enjoy when it’s time to hit the road.
Another excellent choice when searching for the right used truck at this price is a 2013 or newer Ram 1500. This might be the right truck with enough power for you to enjoy years of great driving.
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