One of the big lures of buying a used car instead of a new car is that they are considerably easier on the wallet. Unlike a new car, a used vehicle has already gone through the depreciation gauntlet, so the prices are accordingly lower.
Keeping your eyes peeled for bargain vehicles holds true for most shoppers, but maybe none more than the first time buyer -- whether you're a teenager, a college student, or a recent graduate, venturing out into the professional workforce for the first time.
Consumer Reports recently compiled a list of used cars recommended for such buyers based on their extensive used-car rankings. What follows is a list of reliable, dependable, quality used cars that are good bets for the first-time buyer. The choices for this list were based in part on the fact that these vehicles performed well in crash tests and scored high in reliability.
In its rankings, Consumer Reports did not include specific model years. The magazine simply recommended that buyers "look for the newest model year your budget will allow." The consumer magazine also recommended that first time buyers attempt to find used cars that offer such safety features as electronic stability control, antilock brakes and head-protecting curtain and side air bags.
In their recommendations, CR "did not consider vehicles that were too fast or too slow, had long braking distances, or had mediocre scores" when it came to emergency handling.
Acura RSX || Find It Used
The Acura RSX replaced the Integra as Acura's front-wheel-drive sport coupe a few years ago, before being discontinued in 2007. But the used models still deliver luxury-like amenities and top quality. In '06, the RSX's last model year, the base model came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 160 hp. The Type-S ups the power 210 hp, and comes with leather and a six-speed manual.
Acura TSX || Find It Used
The Acura TSX, like most Acura's, boasts high-end refinement. It's a sedan with a zippy and responsive engine, taut suspension, silky shifting and a plush leather interior. The latest used model year, the '07, has a four-cylinder engine that puts out 205 horsepower and comes with a three-spoke leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise controls.
Ford Fusion || Find It Used
One of the first vehicles to come down the pipeline after Ford implemented some changes in its engineering philosophies, the Fusion is an affordable, high-quality sedan with solid dependability. The latest used model, the '07, gives you a choice among V6 and four-cylinder engines, and also offers the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The four-cylinder version comes with a five-speed automatic or manual, the V6 comes with a six-speed automatic only.
Honda Accord (4-cylinder) || Find It Used
The Accord sedan perennially gets high quality marks, is economical, and makes smart use of technology. Many trim levels are available, and it can be had as either a sedan or a coupe. In the latest used model, buyers were offered a choice between a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V6 -- but Consumer Reports chose the 4-banger for this list. Five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions are available.
Honda CR-V EX ('05 or later) || Find It Used
The CR-V is compact SUV that boasts stylish body lines, peppy power and crisp handling. It comes in three trim levels, but Consumers liked the mid-line EX the best for value and amenities. Most recent used models (it was redesigned in '07) are powered by a 166-horsepower inline-4 hitched to a five-speed automatic. Safety features include electronic brake-force distribution and vehicle stability assist with traction control
Honda Fit || Find It Used
The Honda Fit, rolled out in 2007, is a small four-door hatchback, but surprisingly comfy for a small vehicle, and even the back seats offer plenty of room. The Fit offers nimble road manners, punchy engine performance, and dependability. It seats five, is available in two trim levels, and is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl., '06 or later) || Find It Used
The Sonata has expanded its dimensions over the years, so the later models are larger than the earlier ones, and offer full-size comforts. The quality of fit and finish on the later models also rival that of other full-size entries. It's a four-door sedan, and the latest used models came with a choice of 162-hp four-cylinder or 234-hp V6 engines. The four-banger is available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed Shiftronic automatic.
Hyndai Tuscon || Find It Used
A compact SUV, the Tuscon is smart looking, with crisp body lines. On the later used-model years, the entry GLS models are powered by a 140-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the mid-range SE and top-of-the-line limited come with a 173-horsepower 2.7-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.
Kia Optima || Find It Used
As a five-passenger, front-drive, mid-size sedan, the Optima dukes it out in one of the most crowded segments in the industry, but acquits itself well in terms of handling, acceleration and ride quality. The latest used models offer a base trim level, the LX, with a 162-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, while the LX 5A boosts the power with a 185-hp 2.7-liter V6. It was redesigned in '07.
Mazda 3 (w/ curtain air bags) || Find It Used
The Mazda3 still impresses, with its premium quality, ambitious design and its agile performance. On the latest used models, the entry-level i-model comes with a 148-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the sporty s-model is powered by a 156-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder. Or, if you're the five-door type, the Mazda3 hatchback cames standard with the 156-hp 2.3-liter engine. The five-door is also available in either Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels.
Mercury Milan || Find It Used
The Milan is the Ford Fusion's sister vehicle, with some higher-end amenities. It's available as either a basic four-cylinder package or a handsomely-appointed V6 Premier model. The base comes with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic, while the Premier is powered by a 221-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic.
Pontiac Vibe ('06'-07) || Find It Used
The Vibe gets high marks for its sporty handling, punchy engine performance and all-around functionality. The Vibe from these model years is powered by a 126 hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder hitched to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. It seats five, and optional safety equipment includes antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, side-impact and side curtain airbags, and GM's OnStar.
Scion tC || Find It Used
As part of the Toyota family, the Scion tC is, as you might expect, a high-quality vehicle, boasting quality and reliability. It's a coupe, it's easy on the wallet, and the most recent used models are powered by a 160-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, while a five-speed manual is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional. The Scion tC also comes with comfy standard-equipment amenities, such as air conditioning, power steering and sport bucket seats with position memory.
Subaru Impreza (not WRX) || Find It Used
The Impreza has almost become a brand within a brand, as Subaru currently offers 10 different Impreza models, between their sedans and wagons. In the latest used-model year, '07, all of them come with Subaru's 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, with full-time all-wheel-drive and a manual transmission as standard equipment. A four-speed automatic is optional on most. The Impreza is a fun drive, offers sufficient roominess, and gets high marks for fuel economy.
Subaru Forester (not XT) || Find It Used
The Forrester is a crossover vehicle that aims to split the difference between the roominess of an SUV and the ride quality of a sedan. Three trim levels are available in later used-model years: the base 2.5X, the luxo 2.5X L.L.Bean Edition and the sportier 2.5XT, although CR did recommend the XT for the first-time-buyer list. For the ’07 model year, the 2.5X and the L.L. Bean Edition are powered by a 173 hp 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine.
Toyota Camry (4-cylinder) || Find It Used
For years, the Camry has been one of the best-selling cars in America, popular for its quality, dependability and practicality. The Camry was redesigned in '07, and comes in four trim levels - the CE, LE, SE, and XLE - in the later model years. In the latest used-model year, the '07, the Camry offered a 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as standard. A 268-hp, 3.5-liter V6 was an option on all but the CE, but Consumers recommended the 4-cylinder job.
Toyota Corolla || Find It Used
The Corolla is another perennial top seller, for some of the same reasons that make the Camry a regular winner. A four-door sedan, the Corolla has, for several years, been available in four trim levels -- the CE, S, LE and XRS. Starting in '07, though, the XRS was discontinued. The latest used-model year is powered by a 126-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, and is available with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.
Toyota Matrix ('06 - '07) || Find It Used
The Matrix is a dashing little number that has a lot going for it -- it offers the functionality of a small SUV and the affordability of a compact, but it's also fun to drive and handles like a small sport coupe. Prior to the '07 model year, it came in three trim levels -- the standard, XR and XRS, but the latter was dropped in '07. It's powered by a 1.8-liter 126 hp four-cylinder engine.
Toyota Prius || Find It Used
The Prius hybrid is the poster child for green technology in the auto industry. Its combination of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine gasoline engine and electric motor is supremely fuel-efficient and cuts down on carbon emissions -- but still delivers 110 hp. Available in two trim levels, the Base and Touring. Also surprisingly roomy for a small car.
Toyota RAV4 (4-cylinder, '01 or later, w/o 3rd-row seat) || Find It Used
The RAV4 was one of the trailblazers in the small-SUV segment, and Toyota made it bigger in recent years, to increase interior roominess and flexibility. For the latest used-model-year, '07, the RAV4 gives buyers the option of either a 2.4-liter, 166-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter, 269-horsepower V6.
Read More About Used Cars:
- Best and Worst Certified Used Vehicles
