In addition to these criteria, the vehicle had to have average transaction prices under or near $15,000, be manufactured after 2008, and be easy for shoppers to find irrespective of their region or city. To determine our list of the best vehicles under $15,000, we cross-referenced a broad range of reliability and quality scores, evaluations by vehicle testers, thousands of long-term reports and reviews from owners and factored in our own long-term experiences with these vehicles as new and used cars. We always recommend a mechanical inspection before purchase as even the most historically reliable cars suffer over time without proper maintenance. There is some overlap with our list of the Best Used Cars for $10,000 and vehicles on that list can often be found in better condition at this higher price point. Against these priorities we factored in available safety and convenience features, style and performance. We prioritized newness, reliability scores, low costs of ownership and the likelihood of being able to find a vehicle with a meaningful warranty. To meet our criteria, cars had to be newer than the 2008 model year and commonly available nationwide for under $15,000. Using a combination of owner feedback, reliability ratings, average transaction prices and expertise from the Forbes Wheels staff, we compiled a list of 20 of the best used vehicles $15,000 will buy. Glancing at $15,000 used car listings yields everything from tail-finned DeSotos to Porsche parts cars, but the majority of buyers are interested in squeezing the most value out of their dollar for a daily driver. What’s more, $15,000 is a budget large enough to include some Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, which carry extended manufacturer or dealer-backed warranties.

roads is now 12.1 years, according to data from IHS Markit. Thanks to improvements in quality and technology, the average age of cars on U.S. The effects of Covid-19 on the automotive supply chain have caused used car prices to increase over the last year, but buying a used car is easier and less risky than ever before.

But the same amount of cash can also buy you a vast array of used cars that are bigger, faster, flashier and come with more features. It’s cheap and cheerful, and comes in cool colors like “Passion Fruit,” but it’s also a tiny machine with crank windows and no active safety features. It’s possible to stroll down to a dealer today and drive home in a brand new base-model Chevrolet Spark for less than $15,000.

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