These Are The Best Used Cars To Buy Instead Of The Remaining New Cars Under $20,000

Chevy Bolt. Has the tech, the range is good, and you get the rebate. You can get a damn nice one for $23k and the rebate brings it under $20k. Here’s one listed at $23k local to me that has leather and the Bose sound system. Also has lane assist and adaptive cruise. Sheesh I may go after something now that I realize how cheap these are (I have a 2017 Volt).

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a used Chevy Bolt EV/EUV. specifically 2017 or newer.

1. priced easily below $20k

2. $4,000 rebate on top of that

3. thanks to the battery recall most of them have an 8-year 100,000 mile warranty from the time the battery was replaced that transfers to new owners.

4. maintenance is next to non-existent thanks to just how many fewer moving parts there are on an EV to wear out.

5. Fun to drive, instant full torque from stop is a blast.

1st choice: any Honda with the non-turbo four-cylinder engine and manual transmission, that hasn’t been highly-modified. Reason: that powertrain is bulletproof and efficient, parts and support are abundant...

2006 Honda Element EX P 5-speed. Yes, yes it is.

Going on 210,000 and someone in my FB group posted his odometer at 431,000 just yesterday (newer model). I’m going for half a mil - if I live that long.

For me and my needs the best was a VW Alltrack. Its an AWD wagon that can be had with a manual or a great DSG auto. Its got lots of cargo space but its a relatively lightweight wagon at about 3500lbs. It has a lot of modifications that can be made if you so desire. So i can make it into a better handling performance wagon if i choose. Interior is nice too though not luxury which i prefer anyway. mileage is not as good as id like but i got mine in late 2020 for $16500 with 25k miles and the excellent fender audio. It also had android auto/apple car play. Mine is getting suspension tuning (lowering, braces, rear sway) and tune with some VW OEM parts swapped out for more power. It already has GTI seats and brakes added and stiffer rear sway bar.

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For an enthusiast it’s gotta be a Ford Fiesta ST. Reliability is a question mark depending on the previous owner, but if you dug around enough you’d find a good one that would delight with every gear pull.

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For the family on a budget, the Ford Flex remains one of the best deals for a used SUV.

If you’re a normal person that approaches cars like an appliance, the answer is the lowest mileage Toyota Corolla you can find.

The nicest Corolla they can find for the amount of money they have to spend. My standard advice to anyone who just wants a *car*. If they need more space or a slightly nicer ride, change Corolla to Camry.

...3rd choice: most any Toyota. Reason: although their cars can be boring, they do have a stellar reputation for reliability, which is probably paramount when you’re shopping for a budget car.

The writing is on the wall here for me: This isn’t going to last forever, the auto industry is probably going to crash, and in a big way. If it does, values are going to plummet. Your safest bet is to find the nicest Tacoma or Jeep Wrangler for under 20,000 you can. Either one, the Tacoma is more reliable, the Jeep is more fun, but both are fun and reliable, they are both always in demand, and their resale is recession-proof.

Something naturally aspirated with RWD, preferably with a stick, but at least with a normal automatic and not a CVT. Hard to go wrong with a used F-150 or Tacoma.