Safe and Reliable Used Cars Under $15,000

12 Types of Used Vehicles for Less Than $15 000

As money gets tight consider pre-owned cars that are affordable reliable safe

Toyota You want the trifecta when shopping for a used car: low price, reliability and reassuring safety scores. Now that the has torpedoed the concept of normal and made finances seem shakier than a straw hut on the San Andreas fault, you naturally think of a good used car as an asset. You might want to sell your new-ish car that's still nicking your budget for payments that now seem too big and head for the used-car lot. Or you might be between cars and think it's smarter to buy used. Even in normal times, can be the smart play. It's already done . Use the for a hassle-free purchase experience Used cars are a better fit in many budgets. And you should be able to get a nicely appointed used machine for the same as, or even less than, you would pay for a low-end new vehicle. The database experts at iSeeCars sorted and searched for AARP and came up with cars, minivans, pickup trucks and SUVs, ranging from electric and hybrids to luxury sedans and get-'er-done workhorses. All are priced at $15,000 or less, enjoy good reliability scores and did well in safety tests. Keep in mind that to fit the budget, some vehicles are perhaps older than you would prefer. One reason: They held their value well and took longer to drop into our price range. According to iSeeCars, its multi-million-car database shows these vehicles were considered reliable when new and continue to give dependable service. We're looking at the categories in alphabetical order, but be aware that in the new-vehicle market, SUVs have nearly replaced ordinary sedans. The easy-in-and-out seat height is one lure; another is the improved view ahead and around because you sit higher. of

Compact car

2017 Toyota Corolla Our take: This Corolla is the newest of any vehicle in this list, which means it's more likely to seem modern, or new-ish, than some of the others. But drawing from more than 25 years of test driving, it's a bit tepid. A sportier-feeling alternative is the 2015 Honda Civic for $13,973. Its scores are similar to the Corolla's, except for J.D. Power's consumer satisfaction score of 73. Price, based on iSeeCars most recent data: $14,601 Miles per gallon (MPG), combined city/highway, from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing: 30 to 34, depending on trim level; the manual transmission, often thought of as a fuel saver, isn't Yearly fuel cost, from the EPA: $950 to $1,050 Crash rating, overall, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: 5 stars, the top rating Consumer Reports’ reliability rating: 5, the top score; also one of the magazine's recommended models J.D. Power overall consumer satisfaction rating: 84 out of 100 of

Electric car

2014 Chevrolet Volt Our take: Yes, you can get an electric car for less than $15,000. The Volt has a gasoline engine, but it's designed to kick on at about 38 miles or so and run a generator that keeps the batteries charged and adds another 300 miles or so of electric range. Price: $12,610 MPG equivalent: 98 for those first 38 miles, 37 using premium gas for the rest Yearly fuel cost: $850 Crash rating: 5 stars, the top rating Consumer Reports’ rating: 5, the top score J.D. Power rating: 70 out of 100 of

Hybrid car

2014 Toyota Camry hybrid Our take: The hybrid version of the Camry's 2012 redo was a gem. By the time of the 2015 update, it had turned pretty sour and unpleasant to drive. Make up your own mind with a personal test drive. Price: $14,063 MPG: 39 to 40, depending on trim level Yearly fuel cost: $800 Crash rating: 5 stars, the top rating Consumer Reports’ rating: Not available. The magazine didn't rate the hybrid individually but gave all Camrys a 5, the top score, and also considered the lineup one of the magazine's recommended models. Its test drive of the Camry hybrid was a thumbs-up. J.D. Power rating: 82 out of 100 of

Hybrid car

2014 Toyota Prius Our take: Introduced in the U.S. in 2000 and now so ubiquitous it's almost a synonym for “hybrid,” the Prius has been pleasant if not stunning in our test drives. Another one you should try before you buy. Price: $13,460 MPG: 48 Yearly fuel cost: $650 Crash rating: 4 of 5 stars Consumer Reports’ rating: 5, the top score; also one of the magazine's recommended models J.D. Power rating: 74 out of 100; also a Dependability Award winner with the fewest problems at three years old of

Luxury car

2012 Lexus ES 350 Our take: While appealing for its smooth and peppy V-6 engine, the ES 350 always has seemed to us more like a black-tie version of the Toyota Camry, on which it's based, than a pure luxury car. You won't find much wrong, but our drives never sparked any serious enthusiasm either. Price: $14,879 MPG: 22 Yearly fuel cost: $1,450 Crash rating: 3 of 5 stars Consumer Reports’ rating: 5, the top score; also one of the magazine's recommended models J.D. Power rating: Not rated of

Luxury car

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Our take: The E-class cars always have been our favorite Mercedes-Benz: accommodating, comfortable, pleasant to drive and just sporty enough. Price: $14,079 MPG: 19 to 21, depending on trim level; uses premium gasoline Yearly fuel cost: $2,000 to $2,250 Crash rating: 4.7 of 5 stars Consumer Reports’ rating: 4 out of 5 J.D. Power rating: 79 out of 100 of

Minivan

2012 Toyota Sienna Our take: Though new-car buyers largely have forsaken minivans in general in favor of sportier SUVs, only a few test drives are necessary to see they remain the most accommodating vehicle on the market. Price: $14,798 MPG: 19 to 21, depending on trim level Yearly fuel cost: $1,500 to $1,650 Crash rating: 4 of 5 stars Consumer Reports’ rating: 5, top score; also one of the magazine's recommended models J.D. Power rating: 78 out of 100; also a Dependability Award winner with the fewest problems at three years old of

Minivan

2011 Honda Odyssey Our take: The Odyssey handles a bit sportier than the Sienna, our test drives have shown, and has commendable ratings in almost all categories. The caveat: Consumer Reports gives it a middle grade on dependability. Price: $12,642 MPG: 21 to 22, depending on trim level Yearly fuel cost: $1,450 to $1,500 Crash rating: 5 stars, the top rating Consumer Reports’ rating: 3 out of 5 J.D. Power rating: 72 out of 100 of

Pickup

2008 Toyota Tacoma Our take: Long the best-selling small and now “midsize” pickup, the Tacoma is a rough-riding, hard-working, old-fashioned truckers’ truck. It also lasts a good, long time, which is why you'll find a 12-year-old vehicle on this list. Price: $14,173 MPG: 16 to 22, depending on trim level Yearly fuel cost: $1,450 to $2,000 Crash rating: 4.7 of 5 stars Consumer Reports’ rating: 4 out of 5 J.D. Power rating: 74 out of 100; also a Dependability Award winner with fewest problems at three years old of

Pickup

2010 Honda Ridgeline Our take: Based on a car-style unibody chassis, the Ridgeline is more refined than the Tacoma. It rides and handles more like a car, but truck people have trouble taking it seriously despite Ridgeline's ability to tote 1,546 pounds in the cargo bed, matching many bigger, so-called half-ton, trucks. Price: $14,608 MPG: 17 Yearly fuel cost: $1,850 Crash rating: 4.7 of 5 stars Consumer Reports’ rating: 4 out of 5; also one of the magazine's recommended models J.D. Power rating: 75 out of 100 of

SUV

2010 Toyota Highlander Our take: Our test drives show it's a fairly easy-riding vehicle suitable for most tastes. If rougher use and a stiffer ride are your thing, consider Toyota's 2009 4Runner at $14,762, which scores only slightly lower than the Highlander. Price: About $13,124 MPG: 19 to 26, depending on trim level Yearly fuel cost: $1,200 to $1,650 Crash rating: 4.5 of 5 stars Consumer Reports’ rating: 5, the top score; also one of the magazine's recommended models J.D. Power rating: 74 out of 100 of

SUV

2011 Acura MDX Our take: The MDX works well for those who prefer a premium brand to a mainstream nameplate. Price: $14,331 MPG: 18, premium gas recommended Yearly fuel cost: $2,350 Crash rating: 5 stars, the top rating Consumer Reports’ rating: 3 out of 5

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