Ford For many young people and their parents, purchasing a first car is a significant step.
One good solution is to look at used cars, which can frequently be had for a fraction of the cost of brand-new versions.
We came up with 15 used cars we think are the best for the youthful car buyer on a budget.
To make our list, we concentrated on automobiles that are on the industry right now for under $15,000. We looked for ones that are reliable, fun to drive, comfortable, attractive, economical, functional, and most of all, secure.
For security, we checked the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) average front Door crash test ratings for the cars we selected.
Prices are based on current costs on Autotrader.com and reflect the lowest cost we think an adequate example may cost.
1998-2004 Toyota Tacoma
Starting price: $5,900 and upward IIHS crash test rating: Acceptable Why buy itToyota's Tacoma pickup creates our list as the only representative of this pickup section. The Tacoma offers rugged off-road capacity along with Toyota's strong build quality. The truck's accessible four -and six-cylinder powerplants provide fantastic performance, but some may find them to be a bid thirsty when it comes to fuel.
2001-present Honda Civic
Starting price: $5,000 and up IIHS crash test rating: Great Why buy it: The Honda Civic is bulletproof. If properly maintained, the car can go for well over 250,000 miles without any issues. As one of the most well-known cars in the world, spares are easy to find and fixes are comparatively inexpensive. Being popular means that there is large aftermarket support for the auto, so kids can customize a Civic for their liking for not much cash. Additionally, the sporty and practical Si hatchback in the early 2000s is now available for below $10,000. And because it was only available with a manual gearbox, it teaches a fantastic lesson.
2004.5-2012 Volvo S40
Starting price: $7,900 and upward IIHS crash test rating: Good Why buy itIntroduced in mid 2004 as a "2004.5" version, the second generation S40 sedan is Volvo's take on a small, stylish, and sporty sedan. As expected with any Volvo, the S40 is equipped with a slew of security features. Power for the S40 comes from Volvo's venerable inline five-cylinder. The base variant pumps out a respectable 168 horsepower, while sportier turbocharged variations produces as much as 227 ponies.
2005-2012 Acura RL
Starting price: $14,500 and upward IIHS crash test rating: Great Why buy itThe Acura RL has been Honda's flagship model and is the most expensive car on our list. When new, the RL retailed for about $50,000, but utilized examples can be found for much less. Since Honda's flagship, the firm unloaded its technological goody bag for the RL. Top of the line models come with onboard navigation, a premium sound system, active sound cancellation, a ceramic drive-shaft, handcrafted maple wood accents, plus a slew of modern safety features. The Rl's advanced "super managing " all-wheel-drive system and powerful 300 horsepower V-6 gives the car a truly superior driving experience.
2006-2015 Mazda MX5 Miata
Starting price: $12,500 and up IIHS crash test rating: N/A Why buy itWhen the original 1990 Mazda Miata showed on the spectacle, the sporty little roadster all but stored the section from extinction. With the third generation (currently called the MX-5), the 2006 Miata nevertheless gave its owners an enjoyable and thrilling drive, but with all the creature comforts expected in a modern sports car. Power for your MX-5 comes out of a peppy 2.0-liter 170 horsepower inline four cylinder engine driving the rear wheels in traditional roadster fashion.
2011-Present Volkswagen Jetta TDI $13,500
Starting price: $12,500 and up IIHS crash test evaluation: Good Why buy it: The sixth generation Volkswagen Jetta provides buyers a fun European sports compact sedan with a decidedly upmarket feel. For the value-minded customer, the petrol TDI engine option offers great range and fuel economy in a powerful package. However, as with any technologically advanced European sedan, take your time to search for a well preserved lower mileage example, as out-of-warranty repairs for the car may become pricey.