Editors Identify Best Used-Cars for $10,000 CHICAGO, Aug. 6
/PRNewswire/ -- Consumers searching for wallet-friendly wheels
don't need to sacrifice safety, reliability and cabin comfort,
according to Cars.com. Today, the site announced its list of the
best late-model used cars shoppers can buy on a budget of $10,000.
A lot of people don't want to commit to five years of monthly
payments for a brand-new car. With that in mind, Cars.com's experts
crunched retail values for late-model used cars and factored in
reliability ratings, safety equipment and crash-test scores. What
began as a list of 215 contenders from 2002 models onward shrank to
40 finalists. To pare things further, criteria like gas mileage,
cabin comfort and driving refinement were also taken into account.
Finally, the team took a hard look at how many of these used cars
had key safety features like side-impact airbags and antilock
brakes installed. "Whether it's a thrifty ride for a college
student, a grocery-getter for the family or something for the daily
commute, lots of shoppers seem to want the same thing: a
late-model, low-mileage car that's reliable, safe and
fuel-efficient," said Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen. As
always, Cars.com recommends having any used car inspected by a
trusted mechanic before you buy. These 10 cars top Cars.com's list
of best used-cars for $10,000: 2005 Ford Focus -- Why it made the
list: The restyled 2005 Focus offers nimble handling with few of
the equipment recalls that beset the early-2000s original. With a
manual transmission, the Focus returns highway gas mileage in the
30s. Automatic versions drop into the high 20s. Frontal crash-test
scores for the sedan are good, though we can't recommend the ZXW
wagon, which hasn't been tested, or the ZX3 hatchback, whose
side-impact scores give reason for concern. The sedan's optional
antilock brakes and front-seat side airbags are well worth having,
as this car's compact dimensions put it at a disadvantage in
crashes. Nearly one- third of all '05 Focuses had ABS, while just
10 percent came with side airbags. -- The numbers: Expect to pay
around $10,500 for an entry-level ZX4 sedan with ABS, side airbags,
a stick shift and 40,000 miles. Automatic transmissions add around
$650. The Focus ST can cost upward of $13,000. 2003 Ford Taurus --
Why it made the list: The Taurus is a sound used-car choice for
families and sensible for young drivers. Both the wagon and sedan
offer generous cabin and luggage space, not to mention top
reliability and crash-test scores. Most drivers will find the base
engine underwhelming; choose a model with the Duratec V-6, signaled
by a "24V" emblem near the fenders. It provides ample power and
returns nearly the same low-20s overall gas mileage. Antilock
brakes and side airbags were both optional; 85 percent of '03
Tauruses came with ABS, and around 11 percent had the extra
airbags. -- The numbers: With ABS and side airbags, a Taurus sedan
with 60,000 miles should cost between $8,000 and $12,000. Similarly
equipped wagons range from $10,500 to $12,000. Expect to pay an
extra $400 for the Duratec V-6. 2003 Mazda Protege -- Why it made
the list: Those wary of Civic and Corolla homogeny should consider
the Protege. It's a fun little car, with Mazda's trademark steering
precision and affable styling that has yet to grow old. The
2.0-liter four-cylinder is quicker than you would think, and
highway gas mileage rates in the high 20s. The top, ES, trim level
comes with stronger four-wheel-disc brakes, and ABS and side
airbags are optional across the line. About one-fifth of all
Proteges had both features. We like the Protege's respectable marks
for safety and reliability, though we can't recommend the Protege5
hatchback, which hasn't been crash tested. -- The numbers: With
antilock brakes, side airbags and 60,000 miles, the no-frills DX
trim should cost around $8,500 with a stick shift. The LX and ES
models have more features and run between $9,500 and $10,500. Add
around $600 if you want an automatic. The turbocharged Mazdaspeed
Protege commands close to $15,000. 2003 Mercury Sable -- Why it
made the list: The Taurus' upscale twin offers slightly better
reliability ratings and the same stalwart crash-test scores. Factor
in standard antilock brakes and available side airbags -- they were
installed on nearly one-fifth of all '03 Sables -- and you have a
solid commuter car. As with the Taurus, the stronger Duratec V-6 is
well worth the upgrade. -- The numbers: With antilock brakes, side
airbags and 60,000 miles, prices range from $9,000 to $11,500 for
the Sable sedan; wagons should sell for $10,000 to $13,000. The
uplevel Sable LS includes the Duratec V-6, which is unavailable in
the base GS. An LS sedan light on luxury options can be had for
around $10,000. 2002 Buick LeSabre -- Why it made the list: The
LeSabre is a comfortable car for drivers young and old, and the '02
model came chock full of safety features: antilock brakes, side
airbags and active head restraints were standard, and there was an
optional electronic stability system -- a rare safety feature five
years ago. Most models have a front bench seat, which expands
capacity to six. Reliability and crash-test scores are impeccable,
though the gas-conscious may want to consider something else, as
GM's 3800 V-6 returns city mileage in the teens. -- The numbers:
With 70,000 miles, a LeSabre Custom runs around $9,000. A
well-appointed LeSabre Limited should cost about $12,000. 2002
Chevrolet Impala -- Why it made the list: The Impala is Chevy's
workaday sedan, and the 2000-05 iteration arguably boasted sharper
styling than its anonymous successor. Either of the two V-6s
provides adequate grunt. There's no four-cylinder, however, so
overall gas mileage maxes out in the low- 20s. All the same, the
roomy cabin, good reliability ratings and even better crash-test
scores make the Impala a sound choice for budget-minded families.
Antilock brakes and a side-impact airbag for the driver were
standard on the uplevel Impala LS and optional on the base model;
overall, about a third of all '02 Impalas had the side airbag and
nearly 60 percent had ABS. -- The numbers: Expect to pay around
$9,000 for a base Impala with 70,000 miles, antilock brakes and the
driver's side airbag. A fully loaded Impala LS is about $11,500.
2002 Ford Windstar -- Why it made the list: Minivan lovers can fill
the Windstar with up to seven people, and there are plenty of bells
and whistles for those who want them -- from power-sliding doors
and rear parking sensors to power front seats and heated leather
upholstery. Lower trim levels are relatively inexpensive, and all
models make the grade for reliability and safety. Antilock brakes
were standard, and the optional side airbags came installed on
around 17 percent of '02 models. -- The numbers: A base Windstar LX
with 70,000 miles and side airbags should cost around $7,500.
That's a steal, considering the standard ABS, air conditioning and
power accessories. Better-equipped SE and SEL models run past
$10,000, and a loaded Windstar Limited can cost upward of $15,000.
2002 Honda Accord -- Why it made the list: The sixth generation,
built from 1998 through 2002, delivered excellent reliability and
respectable crash-test ratings. High-ticket safety options were
widely incorporated: side airbags came on 46 percent of '02
Accords, and ABS made its way into nearly 60 percent. Combine the
stick shift and four-cylinder for highway gas mileage in the high
20s; it drops to the mid-20s with the V-6 and automatic. -- The
numbers: A base DX sedan with 70,000 miles, a manual transmission,
ABS and side airbags should run just under $10,000; better-equipped
LX and EX models will cost between $11,500 and $13,000. Cars with
an automatic go for an extra $700 or so, and the V-6 can add $850
to $1,500. Expect to pay at least $12,000 for an Accord coupe. 2002
Honda Civic -- Why it made the list: The Civic combines thriftiness
and refinement in a way few others can, making it an excellent
choice for those who often drive solo. The pint-sized four-cylinder
won't impress anyone with its performance, but it turns out highway
gas mileage in the mid-30s. Crash-test scores are good, though
reliability isn't quite as good as the Accord's. Pick the EX trim
for standard antilock brakes. Given how the car's compact size
would fare in a crash, look hard for a model with the optional side
airbags. They made their way into about 15 percent of all '02
Civics, while ABS was included on more than 40 percent. -- The
numbers: With 70,000 miles, a basic DX sedan or coupe with side
airbags, ABS and a stick shift should cost around $10,000. Better-
equipped LX and EX models range from $11,000 to $12,000. Add about
$550 if you want an automatic. 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora -- Why it
made the list: The Aurora is proof you can buy a used luxury car
for around $10,000. The restyled early-2000s model earns high marks
for reliability and crashworthiness. Most examples should have all
the luxury you need; leather upholstery, a power driver's seat and
automatic climate control came on all models, as did antilock
brakes and side airbags. Eight-cylinder Auroras serve up potent
passing power, along with a few more luxury features and an
electronic stability system. -- The numbers: With 70,000 miles,
well-equipped V-6 models can be had for under $11,000. If you want
the V-8 and a full host of luxury features, expect to pay $13,000
or more. For more information about the best late model used-cars
for $10,000, including information about Cars.com's recommendations
for used SUVs and pick- up trucks on a budget, visit (insert link).
About Cars.com Partnered with more than 200 leading metro
newspapers, television stations and their websites, Cars.com
(http://www.cars.com/) is the most comprehensive destination for
those looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site lists more
than 2 million vehicles from 13,000 dealer customers, classified
advertisers and private parties to offer consumers the best
selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content,
tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Recently
selected by Forbes.com as a Best of the Web site for car shopping,
Cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car
configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying
guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content
and reviews to help millions of car shoppers connect with sellers
each month. Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of
Classified Ventures, LLC, which is owned by leading media
companies, including Belo (NYSE:BLC), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI),
The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI), Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) and
The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO). DATASOURCE: Cars.com
CONTACT: Jackie Brennan, +1-312-601-6229, cell, +1-219-577-6106, ,
or Steve Nolan, +1-312-601-5163, cell, +1-630-310-2468, , both of
Cars.com Web site: http://www.cars.com/
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