

Defunct brands often lose value, which can make them a good buy later on if they are substantially similar to models from the overall parent company, as with Mercury and Ford. In all cases, the vehicles’ manufacturers still exist and there’s generally adequate parts and service support. Some of the vehicles on our list come from defunct brands. Some older models, with fewer data points, were generally left off due to a lack of reliability information or because of limited availability, such as the BMW Z4 and Volvo C30. Those cars can still be found for under $10,000, but it’s much more difficult. We sampled used car listings from Miami, Boston, Cleveland, Phoenix, and Seattle.Īs the values of used cars have risen considerably in 20, many of the cars on last year’s version of this list dropped off, particularly hybrid models like the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. In addition to these criteria, the vehicle had to have average transaction prices under or near $10,000, be manufactured after 1999, and be generally available in five major geographic markets. To determine our list of the best vehicles under $10,000, we cross-referenced a broad range of reliability and quality scores, evaluations by vehicle testers, thousands of long-term reports and reviews from owners and factored in our own long-term experiences with these vehicles as new and used cars. Newer models hard to find at this price.For more buying tips, see the FAQ below our methodology. Some private sellers also have detailed maintenance records to show off, which can provide some reassurance about the vehicle’s condition and history.Īs even the most reliable and well-made cars degrade time if they aren’t maintained, we also recommend a mechanical inspection before purchase. Many new- and used-vehicle dealerships stock good sub-$10,000 machines, but buying older cars from private parties will stretch your dollars further and give you more opportunity to negotiate.

Where you buy also affects what you’ll be able to get. Value is the name of the game, and we’ve steered away from options that are cheap upfront but might not be in the long run. We weighted reliability and owner satisfaction scores highest, but also prioritized vehicle age and cost of ownership.

For this list, we looked for cars newer than the 1999 model year which were available for up to $10,000 with less than 130,000 miles on the clock. Using a combination of average transaction prices, owner feedback, reliability ratings and expertise from Forbes Wheels staff, we’ve compiled a list of 20 good $10,000 used car choices. All you need is a bit of patience while shopping and some careful research. All that has made it especially difficult for folks on a limited budget to find a new-to-them car.īut while $10,000 doesn’t buy what it used to, or even what it used to last year, there are reliable, value-packed, and even fun and stylish rides to be had for ten grand. And that was before 8% monthly inflation and $5.00-per-gallon gas. With new-vehicle supplies severely constrained by Covid-19-related supply chain problems, used-vehicle prices soared in 2021, and they’re still at all-time highs. Volvo xc60 reduced engine performance turtle.Make no mistake, it’s harder than ever out there for used car buyers in 2022.
