Yahoo Autos Used cars we recommend to family and friends
Need new wheels but have a tight budget? Consumer Reports has long advocated buying used as a way to get the biggest bang for your buck. It’s simple math: After one year, a new car has depreciated 27 percent of its sticker price; after three years, it’s worth barely half of its sticker. When someone else takes the depreciation hit on the car, you benefit.
But picking out a good used car from a sea of bad ones has never been easy. You want to buy one that’s reliable, affordable, and equipped with modern safety features. Add in the desire to avoid a car that has been damaged in an accident or a natural disaster, and the process can feel overwhelming.
It doesn’t have to be. We’ve created this handy guide to help you find the small cars, sedans, and SUVs that are most likely to fulfill your needs without breaking down and soaking you in repair bills.
Every vehicle on this list performed well in our tests when it was new and has had above-average reliability for the model years shown, based on our latest Annual Auto Survey. Each also came standard with electronic stability control (ESC), unless otherwise noted. Consider these the used cars we’d recommend to our family and friends.
Also, see our lists of used cars for every budget and those to avoid for models not to purchase.
Mazda3 s (2008)
Pontiac Vibe (2005-08)
Volkswagen Rabbit (2007-09)
The Mazda3 has everything most shoppers want in a small car: reliability, fuel efficiency, a fun-to-drive attitude, an interior that feels upscale for the price, and seats that won’t leave your back and behind screaming. The Vibe is a reliable and roomy compact hatchback similar to the Toyota Matrix. The Rabbit hatchback is an alternative for shoppers who want a sporty, European driving experience and richer interior materials.
Acura TL (2005)
Acura TSX (2005)
Toyota Avalon (2005)
Hyundai Sonata 4-cyl. (2006-08)
Kia Optima 4-cyl. (2007-08)
You can stick to your budget and still get a reliable luxury car if you choose the slick-handling Acura TL or the coddling and cavernous Avalon (with optional ESC). The TSX is a smaller but sportier alternative based on the European Honda Accord, and the economical Sonata and Optima deliver roominess and reliability in slightly newer packages.
Honda CR-V (2005)
Mitsubishi Outlander (2007)
Honda Pilot (2005)
Standard ESC and curtain air bags, combined with near-minivan levels of space, make the reliable CR-V a can’t-miss prospect. Need three rows in a pinch? Consider the Outlander and its handy split tailgate. For even more room, check out the eight-seat Honda Pilot with its smooth V6 acceleration and carlike handling.
Subaru Impreza (2010)
Kia Soul (2010-12)
Standard all-wheel drive, the availability of hatchback and sedan body styles, and a rear seat with room for three adults contribute to the Impreza’s versatility. The boxy—yet stylish—Soul has tons of features for a small car and an expansive cargo space, making it a smart choice for recent grads.
Infiniti G35 (2006-07)
Acura RL (2005-06)
The G35 is exhibit A in how to blend sporty handling with interior refinement. For less of a racetrack feel, the RL’s all-wheel-drive traction, luxurious interior, and reliability make it a wise choice, once you get past its plain looks.
