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American Cars Dominate the Top 10 Wallet Friendly Used Car List
Consumers searching for wallet-friendly
wheels don't need to sacrifice safety, reliability and cabin comfort,
according to Cars.com. Today, the site announced its list of the best
late-model used cars shoppers can buy on a budget of $10,000.
A lot of people don't want to commit to five years of monthly payments
for a brand-new car. With that in mind, Cars.com's experts crunched retail
values for late-model used cars and factored in reliability ratings, safety
equipment and crash-test scores. What began as a list of 215 contenders
from 2002 models onward shrank to 40 finalists. To pare things further,
criteria like gas mileage, cabin comfort and driving refinement were also
taken into account. Finally, the team took a hard look at how many of these
used cars had key safety features like side-impact airbags and antilock
brakes installed.
"Whether it's a thrifty ride for a college student, a grocery-getter
for the family or something for the daily commute, lots of shoppers seem to
want the same thing: a late-model, low-mileage car that's reliable, safe
and fuel-efficient," said Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen.
As always, Cars.com recommends having any used car inspected by a
trusted mechanic before you buy.
These 10 cars top Cars.com's list of best used-cars for $10,000:
2005 Ford Focus
-- Why it made the list: The restyled 2005 Focus offers nimble handling
with few of the equipment recalls that beset the early-2000s original.
With a manual transmission, the Focus returns highway gas mileage in
the 30s. Automatic versions drop into the high 20s. Frontal crash-test
scores for the sedan are good, though we can't recommend the ZXW wagon,
which hasn't been tested, or the ZX3 hatchback, whose side-impact
scores give reason for concern. The sedan's optional antilock brakes
and front-seat side airbags are well worth having, as this car's
compact dimensions put it at a disadvantage in crashes. Nearly one-
third of all '05 Focuses had ABS, while just 10 percent came with side
airbags.
-- The numbers: Expect to pay around $10,500 for an entry-level ZX4 sedan
with ABS, side airbags, a stick shift and 40,000 miles. Automatic
transmissions add around $650. The Focus ST can cost upward of $13,000.
2003 Ford Taurus
-- Why it made the list: The Taurus is a sound used-car choice for
families and sensible for young drivers. Both the wagon and sedan offer
generous cabin and luggage space, not to mention top reliability and
crash-test scores. Most drivers will find the base engine
underwhelming; choose a model with the Duratec V-6, signaled by a "24V"
emblem near the fenders. It provides ample power and returns nearly the
same low-20s overall gas mileage. Antilock brakes and side airbags were
both optional; 85 percent of '03 Tauruses came with ABS, and around 11
percent had the extra airbags.
-- The numbers: With ABS and side airbags, a Taurus sedan with 60,000
miles should cost between $8,000 and $12,000. Similarly equipped wagons
range from $10,500 to $12,000. Expect to pay an extra $400 for the
Duratec V-6.
2003 Mazda Protege
-- Why it made the list: Those wary of Civic and Corolla homogeny should
consider the Protege. It's a fun little car, with Mazda's trademark
steering precision and affable styling that has yet to grow old. The
2.0-liter four-cylinder is quicker than you would think, and highway
gas mileage rates in the high 20s. The top, ES, trim level comes with
stronger four-wheel-disc brakes, and ABS and side airbags are optional
across the line. About one-fifth of all Proteges had both features. We
like the Protege's respectable marks for safety and reliability, though
we can't recommend the Protege5 hatchback, which hasn't been crash
tested.
-- The numbers: With antilock brakes, side airbags and 60,000 miles, the
no-frills DX trim should cost around $8,500 with a stick shift. The LX
and ES models have more features and run between $9,500 and $10,500.
Add around $600 if you want an automatic. The turbocharged Mazdaspeed
Protege commands close to $15,000.
2003 Mercury Sable
-- Why it made the list: The Taurus' upscale twin offers slightly better
reliability ratings and the same stalwart crash-test scores. Factor in
standard antilock brakes and available side airbags -- they were
installed on nearly one-fifth of all '03 Sables -- and you have a solid
commuter car. As with the Taurus, the stronger Duratec V-6 is well
worth the upgrade.
-- The numbers: With antilock brakes, side airbags and 60,000 miles,
prices range from $9,000 to $11,500 for the Sable sedan; wagons should
sell for $10,000 to $13,000. The uplevel Sable LS includes the Duratec
V-6, which is unavailable in the base GS. An LS sedan light on luxury
options can be had for around $10,000.
2002 Buick LeSabre
-- Why it made the list: The LeSabre is a comfortable car for drivers
young and old, and the '02 model came chock full of safety features:
antilock brakes, side airbags and active head restraints were standard,
and there was an optional electronic stability system -- a rare safety
feature five years ago. Most models have a front bench seat, which
expands capacity to six. Reliability and crash-test scores are
impeccable, though the gas-conscious may want to consider something
else, as GM's 3800 V-6 returns city mileage in the teens.
-- The numbers: With 70,000 miles, a LeSabre Custom runs around $9,000. A
well-appointed LeSabre Limited should cost about $12,000.
2002 Chevrolet Impala
-- Why it made the list: The Impala is Chevy's workaday sedan, and the
2000-05 iteration arguably boasted sharper styling than its anonymous
successor. Either of the two V-6s provides adequate grunt. There's no
four-cylinder, however, so overall gas mileage maxes out in the low-
20s. All the same, the roomy cabin, good reliability ratings and even
better crash-test scores make the Impala a sound choice for
budget-minded families. Antilock brakes and a side-impact airbag for
the driver were standard on the uplevel Impala LS and optional on the
base model; overall, about a third of all '02 Impalas had the side
airbag and nearly 60 percent had ABS.
-- The numbers: Expect to pay around $9,000 for a base Impala with 70,000
miles, antilock brakes and the driver's side airbag. A fully loaded
Impala LS is about $11,500.
2002 Ford Windstar
-- Why it made the list: Minivan lovers can fill the Windstar with up to
seven people, and there are plenty of bells and whistles for those who
want them -- from power-sliding doors and rear parking sensors to power
front seats and heated leather upholstery. Lower trim levels are
relatively inexpensive, and all models make the grade for reliability
and safety. Antilock brakes were standard, and the optional side
airbags came installed on around 17 percent of '02 models.
-- The numbers: A base Windstar LX with 70,000 miles and side airbags
should cost around $7,500. That's a steal, considering the standard
ABS, air conditioning and power accessories. Better-equipped SE and SEL
models run past $10,000, and a loaded Windstar Limited can cost upward
of $15,000.
2002 Honda Accord
-- Why it made the list: The sixth generation, built from 1998 through
2002, delivered excellent reliability and respectable crash-test
ratings. High-ticket safety options were widely incorporated: side
airbags came on 46 percent of '02 Accords, and ABS made its way into
nearly 60 percent. Combine the stick shift and four-cylinder for
highway gas mileage in the high 20s; it drops to the mid-20s with the
V-6 and automatic.
-- The numbers: A base DX sedan with 70,000 miles, a manual transmission,
ABS and side airbags should run just under $10,000; better-equipped LX
and EX models will cost between $11,500 and $13,000. Cars with an
automatic go for an extra $700 or so, and the V-6 can add $850 to
$1,500. Expect to pay at least $12,000 for an Accord coupe.
2002 Honda Civic
-- Why it made the list: The Civic combines thriftiness and refinement in
a way few others can, making it an excellent choice for those who often
drive solo. The pint-sized four-cylinder won't impress anyone with its
performance, but it turns out highway gas mileage in the mid-30s.
Crash-test scores are good, though reliability isn't quite as good as
the Accord's. Pick the EX trim for standard antilock brakes. Given how
the car's compact size would fare in a crash, look hard for a model
with the optional side airbags. They made their way into about 15
percent of all '02 Civics, while ABS was included on more than 40
percent.
-- The numbers: With 70,000 miles, a basic DX sedan or coupe with side
airbags, ABS and a stick shift should cost around $10,000. Better-
equipped LX and EX models range from $11,000 to $12,000. Add about $550
if you want an automatic.
2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
-- Why it made the list: The Aurora is proof you can buy a used luxury car
for around $10,000. The restyled early-2000s model earns high marks for
reliability and crashworthiness. Most examples should have all the
luxury you need; leather upholstery, a power driver's seat and
automatic climate control came on all models, as did antilock brakes
and side airbags. Eight-cylinder Auroras serve up potent passing power,
along with a few more luxury features and an electronic stability
system.
-- The numbers: With 70,000 miles, well-equipped V-6 models can be had for
under $11,000. If you want the V-8 and a full host of luxury features,
expect to pay $13,000 or more.