36 Great Used Cars You Can Buy for Less Than $10,000

If you’re in the market for a new set of wheels but you can’t afford a car that’s actually new, don’t worry. The used car market is brimming with deals right now that would be hard for anyone on a budget to turn down. In fact, some used models can be yours for less than $10,000 — and we’re not talking about junkers. 

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Using data from U.S. News and World Report, GOBankingRates compiled a list of 30 amazing cars that can be found on the used market for much less than you might think. Some of them, in fact, come with sub-$4,000 price tags. These cars span all of the most popular categories — including large cars, midsize cars, compact and subcompact cars, hatchbacks, sports cars, convertibles, wagons, and even hybrids — so there’s truly something for everyone.

Check out your buying options if you're looking.

Subcompact Cars

2010 Hyundai Accent

• Lower: $3,265
• Upper: $5,158
• MPG (city/highway): 27/36

2011 Nissan Versa

• Lower: $3,753
• Upper: $4,795
• MPG (city/highway): 26/34

2009 Toyota Yaris

• Lower: $3,978
• Upper: $5,212
• MPG (city/highway): 29/36

2011 Mazda Mazda2

• Lower: $4,556
• Upper: $5,744
• MPG (city/highway): 29/35

2012 Smart Fortwo

• Lower: $4,606
• Upper: $5,609
• MPG (city/highway): 34/38

2012 Scion xD

• Lower: $7,195
• Upper: $7,266
• MPG (city/highway): 27/33

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Compact Cars

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

• Lower: $2,681
• Upper: $5,506
• MPG (city/highway): 20/29

2010 Kia Forte

• Lower: $4,076
• Upper: $5,250
• MPG (city/highway): 25/34

2010 Suzuki SX4

• Lower: $4,519
• Upper: $6,109
• MPG (city/highway): 22/30

2009 Hyundai Elantra

• Lower: $4,634
• Upper: $5,828
• MPG (city/highway): 24/3

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

• Lower: $5,751
• Upper: $7,665
• MPG (city/highway): 24/34

2011 Scion tC

• Lower: $5,831
• Upper: $7,477
• MPG (city/highway): 23/31

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Midsize Cars

2009 Saturn Aura

• Lower: $5,222
• Upper: $5,988
• MPG (city/highway): 22/33

2010 Ford Fusion

• Lower: $6,219
• Upper: $7,161
• MPG (city/highway): 22/31

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Large Cars

2009 Mercury Sable

• Lower: $4,259
• Upper: $5,028
• MPG (city/highway): 18/28

2011 Buick LaCrosse

• Lower: $6,958
• Upper: $8,356
• MPG (city/highway): 19/30

2010 Hyundai Azera

• Lower: $6,985
• Upper: $7,038
• MPG (city/highway): 18/26

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Hatchbacks

2009 Scion xB

• Lower: $3,559
• Upper: $5,410
• MPG (city/highway): 22/28

2009 Audi A3

• Lower: $4,339
• Upper: $7,425
• MPG (city/highway): 21/30

2013 Kia Rio

• Lower: $6,324
• Upper: $7,759
• MPG (city/highway): 28/36

2012 Honda Fit

• Lower: $7,804
• Upper: $9,286
• MPG (city/highway): 27/33

2014 Kia Soul

• Lower: $8,132
• Upper: $9,765
• MPG (city/highway): 24/30

Wagons

2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

• Lower: $6,586
• Upper: $9,152
• MPG (city/highway): 18/27

2012 Toyota Prius V

• Lower: $9,413
• Upper: $9,862
• MPG (city/highway): 44/40

Hybrids

2011 Chevrolet Volt 

• Lower: $4,778
• Upper: $4,778
• MPG (city/highway): 35/40

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

• Lower: $5,106
• Upper: $5,106
• MPG (city/highway): 41/36

2010 Toyota Prius

• Lower: $6,240
• Upper: $9,337
• MPG (city/highway): 51/48

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

• Lower: $6,289
• Upper: $6,289
• MPG (city/highway): 41/36

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid

• Lower: $8,165
• Upper: $9,601
• MPG (city/highway): 31/35

Sports Cars

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

• Lower: $8,871
• Upper: $9,530
• MPG (city/highway): 17/29

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Photo note: The images in this article are for illustrational purposes and may not reflect the actual product year.

About the Author

Andrew Lisa

Andrew Lisa has been writing professionally since 2001. An award-winning writer, Andrew was formerly one of the youngest nationally distributed columnists for the largest newspaper syndicate in the country, the Gannett News Service. He worked as the business section editor for amNewYork, the most widely distributed newspaper in Manhattan, and worked as a copy editor for TheStreet.com, a financial publication in the heart of Wall Street's investment community in New York City.

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