tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

With the average price of a new vehicle at more than $30,000, a growing number of car shoppers are turning to the used market. Indeed, used cars have gotten so popular that many models are hard to find. There have even been cases of used cars selling for more than new ones.

But used-car buyers in general are looking for bargains by avoiding the depreciation that hits new cars in the first year or two of ownership. Often shoppers are working on tight budgets with a maximum price they are able to pay.

Kelley Blue Book, which provides auto-industry pricing information and analysis, released a list of what it considers the top 10 used cars for less than $8,000. The prices are based on the company’s well-known Blue Book Value calculations for used cars from the 2002 model year and newer.

The vehicles that made the list have, according to Kelley, “the most appealing mixes of reliability, versatility and desirability, with an emphasis on track record.” It is an interesting group.

Here they are, with Blue Book values as of December, 2011:


2004 Honda Civic

2008 Kia Rio, $7,895

2004 Ford Crown Victoria, $7,970

2003 Mazda Protege5, $7,360

2002 Toyota Tundra Standard Cab, $5,925

2003 Ford Escape, $7,560

2004 Scion xA, $7,805

2004 Pontiac Vibe, $7,630

2002 Toyota Corolla, $6,125

2002 Infiniti G20, $5,965

2004 Honda Civic, $7,970

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Surprised to see the g-20 on that list, i haven't seen one of those in so long

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

No lexus either? at least the ES should be in that category..

mmarshall

Seems like the Civic is always popular and never depreciates much. But it will be interesting to see how the all-new 2012 version does, depreciation-wise, in the future. In several areas, IMO, it is clearly not the equal of past Civics.

I8ABMR

I was aware of their excellent reliability and was recently trying to help one of my staff locate a good one for a used car for college. we found a great one. Its like a tarted up sentra but it still has some nice features and at least its not the kind of car you every 2 seconds on the road

ydooby

3.5 out of 10 cars are Toyotas. Not bad. (Counting the Vibe as half a Toyota and thanks to Pontiac's badge for helping it make the $8,000 limit lol.)

LunaVyohr

I certainly wouldn't put the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe on that. They seem to have a few problems reliability wise that would steer me away from them.

mmarshall

The Acura Integra, which competed with the G20, had just as good or better reliability, and sold in MUCH higher numbers. Why it is not on the list beats me.......unless most of the existing Integras are now just too old to be viable-options as used cars.

ArmyofOne

2004 Honda Civic, $7,970

2008 Kia Rio, $7,895

2004 Ford Crown Victoria, $7,970

2003 Mazda Protege5, $7,360

2002 Toyota Tundra Standard Cab, $5,925

2003 Ford Escape, $7,560

2004 Scion xA, $7,805

2004 Pontiac Vibe, $7,630

2002 Toyota Corolla, $6,125

2002 Infiniti G20, $5,965

A few suprises...

Marklouis

^^^^
no doubt...the Crown Vic?? maybe just the powetrain. there is some unreliable data being tossed around apparently.

mmarshall

Probably more than just the powertrain...you can get an engine and transmission (roughly) like that in a number of vehicles. But the Crown Vic's popularity also stems from it, size-wize, being a big car for the money. It is one of the last of the true body-on-frame passenger cars available, and its underpinnings can take a lot of punishment....as demonstrated by its widespread police and taxi use on rough roads.