A Little Goes a Long Way

Nearly every driver needs to stick to a budget when shopping for a new car. But the tighter the budget, the more despair you might feel – particularly if you are looking for something priced under $10k. After all, according to 2020 studies, the average brand new car costs over $37,000. Add to that any safety features, taxes, and fees, and you might be looking at an investment more than your annual salary.

The good news is that modern vehicles are engineered to last longer than ever. In fact, there are plenty of vehicles that are driven well into the 200,000-mile range and beyond. A quick peek at a used car dealership near you will prove that there are plenty of models priced under $10k – and they’re not at all the old models you might be expecting.

Each year, car experts from a variety of sources and locations rate the best used vehicles under $10,000. Venerable automotive resource Kelley Blue Book then compiles this data, based on safety scores, consumer ratings, and sales data, to provide a collection of vehicles in every size and shape that rank for their best buys. And yes, many of these vehicles come in below the $10,000 mark. Take a look at three picks that can easily be found at a dealership near you, priced at $10k or below.

2013 Honda Civic: A Stalwart Sedan

It’s probably not surprising to many drivers that a Honda Civic has made the list. After all, this model has consistently won awards for reliability, safety, fuel economy, and resale value since it hit the US market in the early 1970s. The 2013 model hits a particular sweet spot amongst drivers on a budget. It has plenty of pep, an impressive suite of standard features that align with modern requirements, and it manages to eek many miles out of just a bit of fuel.

Most of the 2013 models are equipped with a 1.8L inline-4 engine that provides 140 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. Drivers can also choose between a five-speed manual or an automatic transmission, which means drivers who prefer to row their gears are in luck. The manual transmission models can get 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, while drivers who choose the automatic can get 28 mpg and 39 mpg highway. But if you want something even sportier, the Si trim includes a more powerful 2.4L inline-4 engine that offers 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque.

While the base DX model was discontinued after the 2012 model year, the 2013 Civic can be found in both coupe and sedan body styles with six different trims: LX, HF, EX, EX-L, and Si. The standard offerings of the LX trim are very impressive and include many forward-thinking technological features that some manufacturers offer only as options. All drivers of 2013 Civics will enjoy a 5-inch full-color informational display, rear back-up camera with parking guidelines, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port for audio streaming, integrated Pandora, and a sliding center armrest. Higher trim levels enjoy even more niceties, such as the power moonroof and automatic climate control in the EX models, and leather interior and heated front seats in the EX-L.

2010 Subaru Outback

Is it a hatchback wagon? Is it a subcompact crossover SUV? While classifying the 2010 Subaru Outback within the various automobile segments may be tricky, the dependability of these all-wheel drive vehicles has never been questioned. In fact, Subaru proudly reports that “97% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last ten years are still on the road today.” Therefore, purchasing a decade-old vehicle for under $10k isn’t a questionable decision – it’s an investment that many drivers have made.

The 2010 Outback received a total design overhaul, making it a truly special year for the brand. It gained a more powerful engine option and a larger backseat with more legroom, answering the call of drivers who needed more room for more passengers, both on and off the road. Drivers could option for Bluetooth audio streaming for the first time in an Outback, along with voice-activated navigation and a premium Harman-Kardon audio system that could connect to iPod, SiriusXM, and other USB media.

Of course, not all trims feature these forward-for-2010 options, but the standard Outback 2.5i trim provides plenty of the things drivers need. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual, although automatic transmissions are options on lower trims and are standard on the top Limited trim. Also included in the 2.5i trim are air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with a CD player, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, pivoting cross-rail roof rack, remote keyless entry, and a rear window wiper with washing feature. The top of the line Limited trim dials up the comfort features with leather upholstery, heated seats, and power-adjustable driver’s and passenger seats, to name just a few.

Subaru engineers its vehicles with horizontally-opposed engines known as “Boxers.” The standard engine for the 2010 Outback is a 2.5L Boxer-4, which offers 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Manual versions receive a fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, while automatic versions nudge that figure up to 22 mpg city and 29 mpg. A more powerful engine option may be found on some models – a popular 3.6L Boxer-6, which increases output to 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque while maintaining a comparatively reasonable fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

2007 Chevy Silverado 1500

The Chevy Silverado 1500 is one of the most popular full-size pickup trucks on the market, so it stands to reason that used car buyers with a budget may have to dial back a few years to find one under $10,000. The good news is that 2007 was a banner year for the Silverado, as it received a complete design and engineering makeover for the model year.

Along with the facelift, Chevy gave Silverado drivers the option to customize the 2007 Silverado to the hilt. That includes a multitude of trim levels, cab sizes, bed lengths, axle ratios, suspension systems, and engine choices, so comparing any two Silverado models from 2007 may become baffling. That also means it is highly likely that your dream Silverado is waiting at a used car dealership near you.

The four main trims are Work Truck (WT), LT1, LT2, and LTZ. The WT and LT levels include cloth upholstery, while the LTZ incorporates a more SUV-feel with leather upholstery and a more refined dashboard and instrument panel. Two auxiliary power outlets are included on all trims, while the LT1 adds features like cruise control, power windows, locks, and mirrors, and an audio system that incorporates CD and MP3 functions. Drivers who choose the 40/20/40 split-bench front seat get a lockable storage bin, while the front bucket seat design offers power-adjustable and heated front seats.

A 2007 Silverado 1500 may come equipped with one of five engines, including a 4.3L V6, a 4.8L V8, a 5.3L V8, and a 6.0L V8. The standard base 4.3L V6 provides an adequate 195 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.0L V8 cranks that up to 367 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque for the highest towing capacity possible.

Find a Deal at Dan Cummins!

In years past, finding a used vehicle priced under $10,000 might have required a little luck, a roll of the dice, and keeping your fingers crossed that you didn’t land on a lemon. With today’s vehicles engineered to last longer and drive further than previous generations, finding a car, SUV, or even a dependable pickup truck in your price range is easier than ever- and far less reliant on luck. So if you are in the Lexington, Kentucky area and need an affordable ride, drop by Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick and learn what we can do for you.

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