10 Best Used Cars Under $7,000

When you're shopping for a used car on a tight budget, you face a dilemma. The most highly regarded used cars are also the most expensive. That means that if you stick to the big names, you likely get a vehicle that's older, higher-mileage, and/or in worse condition. On the other hand, many of the less-expensive used cars are cheaper for a reason — either they have demonstrated a poor reliability record or they're otherwise undesirable.

The sweet spot with a cheap used car is to find a decent vehicle that other people don't want. Sometimes that's because they're mistrustful or unaware of a good car. Other times, there's a legitimate downside that you'll need to accept to stay on budget. Yes, some once-great cars become affordable once they're old enough, but that's after prior owners have already used up much of their life — hence the low price. Instead, our 10 best used cars under $7,000 are all available at less than 10 years old and with below 100,000 miles. And none of them is a likely "money trap" of pricey repairs. Let's see which one might be for you.

No, the subcompact Mitsubishi Mirage is not one of the world’s greatest cars. Its 78-horsepower three-cylinder engine is the weakest in the U.S. market, and the rest of the driving experience isn’t much to write home about either.

But unlikable cars can be great bargains, and if you’re looking for a nearly new car for less than $7,000, you won’t find a better choice — you should be able to get a 2017 vehicle for that price. What’s more, Mitsubishi’s warranty coverage extends to at least five years or 60,000 miles even for subsequent owners, so you’ll likely still be protected even in your used 2017 model. Industry-leading fuel economy of up to 39 mpg in mixed driving also keeps costs down. The Mirage is available either as a tiny but versatile five-door hatchback or a longer, more spacious sedan called the Mirage G4.

The 2016 Hyundai Accent is a more solid-feeling subcompact car than the Mitsubishi Mirage. Sold as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, the Accent makes 75 percent more horsepower (137 hp), is quieter, and has livelier handling. It’s better than the Mitsubishi at letting you forget that you had such a tight budget.

Still, this is a small car, without much space in the backseat for adults, and it’s few-frills budget transportation. What’s more, gas mileage trails the Mirage’s at just 30 mpg in mixed driving. And a $7,000 budget only buys an older, higher-mileage vehicle that won’t likely have any factory warranty left. You can also shop the Kia Rio, which shares its mechanical components with the Accent but trades sporty steering feel for slightly richer interior materials.

The Kia Soul is a tall, funky subcompact hatchback — some would even consider it a small crossover — with a high seating position, space for four adults (or five in a pinch), and more cargo space than some SUVs.

The Soul was (and remains) one of the strongest new-car buys out there, providing above-average style and spaciousness for bargain-basement prices. The first-generation model, sold from 2010 to 2013, lacks the refinement and fuel economy of later Souls. The EPA estimates a 2013 Soul will manage between 25 mpg and 28 mpg in mixed driving depending on the powertrain and trim level, and the ride can be noisy and unsettled on the highway. Still, this is a lot of car for $7,000 or less.

The Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan with graceful lines and a huge back seat and trunk. If you’re looking for a roomy family car for under $7,000, you won’t find anything else as new as a 2014 Sentra.

Even many mid-size sedans, trading spaciousness for flashier styling, have less space to stretch out than the Sentra. And Nissan keeps costs down with excellent fuel efficiency: an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 33 mpg overall. The Sentra has been savaged by many critics — including some owners — for its sluggish acceleration and lack of handling composure. But if spaciousness, functionality, and value are more important to you than sporty performance, the Sentra is one of the best used cars under $7,000.

The Mazda3 is a compact sedan or five-door hatchback with an almost opposite approach to the Nissan Sentra’s. Rather than big, spacious, and no fun to drive, the Mazda3 has a much cozier cabin but a sporty driving flavor and more high-end features.

Even so, a used Mazda3 remains a compelling deal, costing significantly less than a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic in similar condition. And despite its sporting focus, you can also get fantastic gas mileage from Mazda’s “Skyactiv” fuel-saving enhancements — up to 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined. To get that mileage, you’ll need a 2012 or newer Mazda3 in its i Touring or i Grand Touring trim levels, but either way you’ll get peppy acceleration and sprightly handling. To get a more upscale interior and exterior design, though, you’d need at least a 2014 model; we found few 2014 Mazda3 vehicles for under $7,000 as of this writing.

European cars are often known for being expensive, and they’re often known for being trouble-prone. Fortunately, the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta does just fine in both counts. This compact sedan offers classy looks, a roomy interior, and a respectable driving experience without breaking the bank.

For 2014, the Jetta was available with four engines, but at this price point you’ll likely just find two: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 115 hp and delivers a mere 25 mpg in mixed driving, or a 1.8-liter turbo with a hearty 170 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 29 mpg. Obviously we’d pick the turbo, but either way, you get an affordable small car that’s roomy enough to substitute in a pinch for a bigger, more expensive, less-efficient mid-size sedan. And unlike the Nissan Sentra, you’ll have some fun driving it. Just don’t expect the fancy interior that some VWs are known for.

You won’t find many reliable, affordable, low-mileage mid-size sedans for under $7,000. But the Ford Fusion is one of them.

The 2012 Fusion isn’t one of the flashiest-looking sedans you can buy, but it has plenty of room, a pleasant driving experience, and a decently economical four-cylinder engine that’s rated for up to 26 mpg in mixed driving. (A speedier V6 and fuel-sipping hybrid are also available.) And it’s a simple, reliable machine, without the sophisticated turbocharged engines that appeared a year later on the more head-turning, more expensive 2013 model. When budgets are tight, a smaller car makes the most sense, especially given how roomy some of our selections are. But if you need to carry five people often, or really value the feel of a larger vehicle, the Fusion and its Mercury Milan near-twin are our picks for this price point.

You can get an even bigger car than the Ford Fusion for even less money. That’s the 2013 Chevrolet Impala. It’s part of the Impala generation that debuted in 2006 and was sold until 2016 — sometimes under the Impala Limited name once a newer generation appeared in 2014.

The Impala isn’t a picture of mechanical sophistication. Its bones date back to the 1980s, and they reduce its space efficiency. Two adults can stretch out better in the rear seat of a subcompact Mitsubishi Mirage G4 than in this full-size Impala. But from the driver’s seat, this is a big car. And it’s cushy and quiet going down the highway. If you measure a car’s value by the pound, this is the top of our list. Gas mileage isn’t even disastrous at 18 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined — and that’s with a forceful 300-horsepower 3.6-liter engine that became standard starting in the 2012 model year.

The next of our 10 best used cars under $7,000 is another family-friendly choice, and it’s a bit of an oddball. It’s the 2012 Mazda5, which you can think of as a shrunken minivan.

The Mazda5 shares its mechanical bits with the Mazda3 compact car (though, sadly, only its least-efficient engine). It provides a usefully spacious interior, handy sliding doors, and three rows of seats with a total six-passenger capacity. You won’t stretch out like in a Toyota Sienna or even Mazda’s old MPV, but you get to combine a comfortable passenger capacity with an affordable price, easy maneuverability, and eager driving dynamics. Crash-test results could have been better, gas mileage disappoints for a small car at just 24 mpg in mixed driving, and this slow-selling mini-minivan isn’t widely available on the used market. But if you can find one, it could be the perfect fit for your family.

One of the most-cited barriers to electric vehicles is their high price. Well, if that’s been keeping you back, we present the 2013 Nissan LEAF — now widely available for under $7,000.

The Leaf is a comfortable five-seat compact hatchback that never burns gasoline. You can charge it in four hours on a 220-volt car charger (available in public charging stations or for home installation); to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes at a public fast-charging station, when equipped with that optional capability; or in 21 hours even on a standard household outlet. The bad news is that the 2013 Leaf was only rated to travel 75 miles per charge when new, and range decreases over time. That’s why a used Leaf costs so little. Still, if you rarely drive more than, say, 40 miles per day — which applies to many Americans — the Leaf can be an affordable way to get around. No gas, no oil changes, fewer moving parts that need maintenance or repairs... That sounds to us like a great used car.