Whether they are just exiting college and need a new ride for work or are stay-at-home moms in need of a more-expansive vehicle for their growing family, consumers nationwide are constantly working to better their credit scores to improve their chances of getting auto loans. When these shoppers do improve their standing, Cars.com notes there are certain used autos they may want to contemplate purchasing.
The vehicle price range for many consumers is lower than it was before the recession took hold and made residents from coast to coast more aware about their personal finances. So Cars.com developed a list of vehicles for sale in the $10,000 range — a price point many consumers are starting to feel comfortable with once again.
“Although the price gap between new and used cars has decreased, many shoppers are still going the used route,” said Cars.com editor-in-chief Patrick Olsen. “We took a look at cars from 2006 or later and came up with the best 10 used cars that shoppers should be able to find for around $10,000. To make our list, the cars had to pass crash tests and have key standard safety features. We also analyzed reliability, drivability and practicality.”
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Ford dominated the auto website’s list, as some of the manufacturer’s most popular models — the Escape, Focus, Freestyle and Fusion — were recognized as viable used-car candidates for consumers. Other cars to make the cut included the Honda Civic, the Azera and Sonata from Hyundai, the Kia Optima, the Nissan Versa and the Scion tC.
Olsen added that negotiating techniques should still be used to get the best price possible for these autos — just as many consumers would opt to do if they were in the market for a new vehicle. With the market proving to be impossible to predict, Olsen noted it’s likely car shoppers all over the U.S. may be able to secure vehicles well within their budgets.
While deals can be found in numerous areas of the country, a separate report from an auto-oriented website indicates certain cities seem to offer better prices than others for consumers when it comes to used cars.
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According to findings from CarGurus.com, heavily populated urban areas appear to be prime markets for consumers, as dealers in these communities often provide consumer-friendly prices to shoppers.
Image: Wavebreak Media
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