The Best Used Cars Guide For Bargain Buys
Supply and demand in the used-car market is working against buyers: Fewer new-car sales over the past couple of years meant fewer trade-ins and fewer vehicles coming off lease. Plus, since the recession began, buyers have turned to used cars in a big way, tightening supply even more. Bargains are harder to find, so identifying the best values is even more important. That’s where Kiplinger comes in, with our picks for ten great buys in used cars.
Dealer and private-party prices are based on actual transactions reported by Edmunds.com for previously owned vehicles considered in "clean" condition and driven an average of 12,000 miles/year.
We also include the certified used price of each vehicle, based on actual sales.
Certified vehicles pass a rigorous inspection and include a warranty that goes beyond the car’s original warranty.
2007 Mazda3 s Touring (Sedan)
Price when new: $19,970
Dealer used price: $13,167
Private party price: $12,089
Certified used price: $14,685
MPG (city/hwy): 22/29
With Mazda, small isn’t synonymous with boring. Fresh lines and a funky interior keep this compact cool, but it still offers 11.5 cubic feet of trunk space. The 2007 model year brought standard stability control and traction control to the s Touring trim.
2007 Honda Accord EX-L V6 (Sedan)
Price when new: $28,035 (with automatic transmission)
Dealer used price: $15,714
Private party price: $14,754
Certified used price: $16,456
MPG (city/hwy): 18/26
Honda’s bestseller is renowned for its reliability. In the last year before its redesign, the Accord once again laid claim to its value status with top-notch safety, a controlled but comfortable ride, and a 3-liter V6 that puts out 244 horses.
2008 Chevy Malibu LT
Price when new: $21,835
Dealer used price: $13,731
Private party price: $12,487
Certified used price: $14,359
MPG (city/hwy): 22/30
A flattering redesign for the 2008 model year -- when it won Kiplinger’s Best New and Best in Class awards -- put the Malibu back on the map. It’s family-size but still fun to drive, thanks to its Euro-inspired driving dynamics. Plus, it gets 30 mpg on the highway. The Malibu was available in a hybrid version for the first time in 2008.
2007 BMW 328i (Sedan)
Price when new: $34,450 (with automatic transmission)
Dealer used price: $22,587
Private party price: $20,873
Certified used price: $24,617
MPG (city/hwy): 18/28
BMW’s classic 3 series offers a hard-to-beat blend of luxury, sporty handling and safety. This Bimmer’s curb appeal hasn’t faded after three years. The 328i has a 3-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 230 horsepower with respectable fuel economy.
2007 Hyundai Azera Limited
Price when new: $27,830
Dealer used price: $14,103
Private party price: $12,948
Certified used price: $15,641
MPG (city/hwy): 17/26
The Azera is an overlooked gem -- one that earned Kiplinger’s Best in Class honor in 2007. Its stylish exterior stacks up well against more-expensive brands, plus it’s roomy, safety is tops, and the V6 puts out 263 horsepower
2006 Lexus LS 430
Price when new: $57,240
Dealer used price: $29,055
Private party price: $26,708
Certified used price: $31,767
MPG (city/hwy): 16/23
A perfect mix of luxury and performance has made Lexus’s flagship a perennial Kiplinger’s Best in Class winner, with six consecutive titles before its 2007 redesign (when it won Best New Car). You should be able to bargain for a price on the ’06 that’s half its original price.
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
Price when new: $28,110 (with head airbags)
Dealer used price: $14,081
Private party price: $12,842
Certified used price: $15,238
MPG (city/hwy): 30/28
This baby ute was the first SUV to go hybrid, and it continues to prove that fuel efficiency can be fun. It seamlessly blends utility (27.6 cubic feet of cargo space) with 29 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
2008 Subaru Forester Sports 2.5 XT
Price when new: $28,640 (with automatic transmission)
Dealer used price: $21,766
Private party price: $19,940
Certified used price: $22,818
MPG (city/hwy): 18/23
Subaru’s small crossover brings the brand’s always-standard all-wheel drive, nearly 30 cubic feet of cargo space and a solid safety record. The turbocharged four-cylinder tops 220 horsepower and helps the Forester tow up to 2,400 pounds.
2008 Honda Pilot EX
Price when new: $30,380
Dealer used price: $23,747
Private party price: $22,026
Certified used price: $24,997
MPG (city/hwy): 16/22
The Pilot is a crossover, but it has the roominess and utility of a truck-based SUV. It seats up to eight passengers while still offering 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Because it has the crossover’s unibody construction, it handles like a car and beats the trucks on fuel economy.
2006 Honda Odyssey Touring
Price when new: $37,190
Dealer used price: $22,140
Private party price: $20,441
Certified used price: $23,529
MPG (city/hwy): 17/26
The top-of-the-line Odyssey lives up to Honda’s rep for quality. Safety features such as stability control and head airbags are standard, its crash-test scores are high, and so are its family values (would you believe 17 cup holders?).
