CHICAGO, March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cars.com, the
leading online resource for buying and selling new and used
vehicles has released its annual list of the best used cars
shoppers can buy for around $10,000.
To make the cut, Cars.com editors first narrowed down the list to
cars that passed crash tests and come with standard safety
features. From those vehicles, Cars.com editors analyzed
reliability, drivability and practicality of each car.
"The price gap between the average new and used car is right
around $20,000," according to
Joe Wiesenfelder, Cars.com's
Executive Editor. "There are a lot of great used cars on the
market, and with a significant price difference between new and
used cars, we know that many shoppers choose to go the used route.
We sifted through a lot of data, crunched a lot of numbers, and
from a pool of more than 60 candidates, we chose the 10 best used
cars that shoppers can find for around $10,000."
Listed alphabetically, the 10 best $10k cars according to Cars.com editors are:
- 2009 Ford Focus: Its nimble handling and smooth-revving
four-cylinder are still appealing. The 2009 Focus is also offered
as both a sedan and coupe.
- 2008 Ford Fusion: The first-generation Fusion sedan
still hits a sweet spot between ride quality and handling, and
family shoppers will appreciate its roomy trunk.
- 2008 Ford Taurus: In many ways it's a better car than
today's Taurus, thanks to its mammoth backseat and trunk, and
spot-on ride/handling balance.
- 2007 Honda Civic: It set the standard for commuter
compacts in the late 2000s. Nimble handling, impressive cabin
materials and good fuel efficiency make this Honda an excellent
choice for compact-car shoppers.
- 2009 Hyundai Sonata: With a host of cabin and drivetrain
updates for 2009, it remains a sound choice for first-time drivers
and family-car shoppers alike thanks to its roomy cabin and long
list of standard safety features.
- 2008 Kia Sportage: A small crossover whose new-car
pricing translates to used-car affordability. The Sportage delivers
better highway composure than its small size suggests.
- 2008 Mazda6: The first-gen Mazda6 remains a compelling
choice for family-sedan shoppers who can sacrifice a little cabin
room for sportiness. Sharp steering and handling distinguish the
car among other sedans.
- 2007 Nissan Altima: Lead-footed sedan shoppers have
their chariot in the Altima. Nissan even matched strong power with
unexpected fuel efficiency in this model.
- 2008 Scion xB: There's a lot to love about Scion's boxy
xB, whose current generation dates all the way back to '08. Safety
features included six airbags and an electronic stability system,
which makes the xB a natural choice for first-time drivers.
- 2007 Toyota Prius: Even by today's standards, Toyota's
iconic second-gen Prius still gets excellent mileage (46 mpg) and
given its efficiency, its drivability is impressive.
"The used car market is constantly changing, and prices may vary
from one city to another," said Wiesenfelder. "We think these are
all great, diverse options that pack a lot of value for every type
of car shopper."
For more information on these cars, or to read any other
Cars.com top ten lists, visit blogs.cars.com or
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/top_10s/.
ABOUT CARS.COM
Cars.com is an award-winning online destination for car shoppers
that offers information from consumers and experts to help buyers
formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay
for a car. Cars.com offers thousands of new and used vehicle
listings, consumer reviews, side-by-side comparison tools, photo
galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and many other tools
to take the drama out of car shopping. Cars.com puts millions of
car buyers in control of their shopping process with the
information they need to make confident buying decisions. Launched
in June 1998, Cars.com is a division
of Classified Ventures LLC, which is owned by leading media
companies, including A.H. Belo
(NYSE: AHC), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), The McClatchy Company
(NYSE: MNI), Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company (NYSE:
WPO).
SOURCE Cars.com