May 14, 2021

With the price of new vehicles always on the rise, car buyers on a budget, or those with bad credit may wonder if they are priced out of the market. If you are looking for a good car for around $10,000, it might surprise you to learn that there are options out there. You can purchase a good and reliable vehicle that won’t break the bank.

At Rydell Outlet, we only specialize in reliable used vehicles under $10,000. Our goal is to help those car buyers on a budget find a vehicle from a brand they know and trust. As part of the Rydell family of stores, you will get the same customer service that you would expect at any of our other full-service dealerships.

How to Know Which Models Are the Best?

White car on highway from behind with sunny sky
Image via Flickr by bthai

Numerous consumer agencies and publications have done all the hard work for you, so it’s easy to search for the best vehicles under $10,000. Reliable publications such as Kelley Blue Book, U.S. News, and Consumer Reports have their top choices for the best vehicles to buy for less than $10,000. Here’s a look at some of the options in various size categories.

Best Compact Vehicles Under $10,000

Kelley Blue Book lists the 2014 Honda Civic as its top pick for compact cars under $10,000. The Honda Civic is reliable and provides excellent value. The Civic comes with many standard features and is easy to keep maintained. Another solid pick is the 2014 Toyota Corolla. Corolla has an excellent reputation, and it retains its resale value. You can expect reliability and high quality with this vehicle.

U.S. News ranked the 2011 Chevrolet Volt as their top pick for a smaller car under $10,000. When it debuted, it was one of the most efficient cars available. With a decent electric-only range, you can save money on gas, too. Their second pick is the 2012 Honda Fit, which received top marks for its fuel economy. Consumers ranked it high for its spacious and versatile cargo area, good handling, and fun-to-drive experience.

The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic gets high ratings and is one of the lowest-priced used vehicles. The Sonic comes in both a hatchback and sedan version. Enjoy some zip with your Sonic and its 138-horsepower four-cylinder turbo engine. The Sonic came standard with a five-speed manual transmission, but there was also an available six-speed automatic transmission. Try to find a used vehicle with the Chevy MyLink 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, plus a USB port. Both the sedan and hatchback seat five people with plenty of space.

Best Midsize Vehicles Under $10,000

If you’re in the market for a midsize family sedan, look for the 2011 Toyota Camry. The Toyota Camry maintains a stellar reputation for its dependability. The Camry offers comfortable seating for five, and the four-cylinder version has good fuel economy. There’s also a V-6 option if you want a Camry with some extra horsepower.

When you look at vehicles that are a little older, you can find some deals on larger cars, as well. The 2010 Hyundai Azera is one of these vehicles. The Azera has ample room for you and your family, plus plenty of features, including dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a six-speaker auto system. The top trim levels have navigation, 10-speaker Infinity audio system, sunroof, and leather upholstery.

Best Luxury Vehicles and Sports Cars Under $10,000

If you’re in the market for a luxury vehicle, consider the 2010 Cadillac CTS. There’s a sedan or CTS Sport Wagon version available, with a V-6 engine with either 270 or 304 horsepower. A manual transmission was also an option for this vehicle, something not commonly seen with luxury sedans.

You can even find a convertible sports car under $10,000. The 2010 Mazda Miata comes in well below that price. The Miata doesn’t have the fast engine that some other sports cars do, but it has plenty of zoom. It is lightweight and only seats two, so it’s not the right sports car for everyone. You can find both manual and automatic versions.

If you’re looking for an American muscle car, the 2010 Ford Mustang or 2010 Chevrolet Camaro will also fall under the $10,000 price tag. 2010 is when Camaro first returned to the market after a hiatus and came in both a V-6 and V-8. The 2010 Mustang comes in under $10,000 if you look for the V-6 or V-8 engines. Don’t expect to score a Shelby GT500 for under $10,000 unless it was involved in an accident previously.

Best SUVs Under $10,000

The 2010 Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV that still has room for five people. You may be able to find the RAV4 with a four- or six-cylinder engine and either a front- or all-wheel drive. It has received good marks for safety and reliability. If you want a crossover, the 2011 Nissan Murano is a great option. It’s a midsize crossover with plenty of room and an excellent array of features.

Best Trucks and Vans Under $10,000

Minivans and trucks aren’t cheap, but there are some deals to be had. Look for the 2010 Toyota Sienna, which can be found under $10,000. Because minivans hold their resale value so well, you have to go back a few years to find an affordable one. This van can seat either seven or eight passengers and came standard with front-wheel drive and a 256-horsepower V-6 engine. Depending on which trim level you find, the sliding door could be manual or power.

Like minivans, trucks can hold their resale value well, so you need to go back a few years to find one under $10,000. You can find larger trucks such as a 2004-to-2014 Ford F-150 for reasonable prices. Given that the F-150 has been the best-selling truck in America for so many years, you are bound to find a wide selection of trim packages on the market.

Contact Rydell Outlet in Grand Forks

Are you ready to purchase a used vehicle? Contact Rydell Outlet today and check out our vast selection of used vehicles, all priced under $10,000. If you need a new car and are on a budget, Rydell Outlet can help.