9 Best Cars to Buy Used

These Used Cars Are Great Values

New cars lose their value notoriously quickly, depreciating as soon as you drive off the lot. That’s why used models often get a second life.

Usually models that are at least five years old represent the best bargains because they’ve already lost most of their residual value, which means that you can buy them for a fraction of their original retail price.  If a vehicle has a high reliability rating, performs well, and includes a few modern conveniences, then you might have a deal on your hands.

From the Toyota Avalon to the Acura RDX, here are the best cars to buy used. 

• Read the 2011 Toyota Avalon Full Review
• See 2011 Toyota Avalon Photos
• See Large Cars Rankings

2010 Acura RDX

Avg. Price Paid: $16,068 - $19,385 (Details Below)

The Acura RDX crossover was our top-ranked luxury compact SUV in 2010.

The five-passenger RDX scored a perfect reliability rating from J.D. Power & Associates for the model year, and came loaded with standard features including leather seats, Bluetooth, and satellite radio.

The 2010 model, which resells for an average price of $17,726, earned an 8.9 overall score in our ranking of used cars and a 9.4 for safety.

• Read the 2010 Acura RDX Full Review
• See 2010 Acura RDX Photos
• See Luxury Compact SUVs Rankings

2009 Audi A3

Avg. Price Paid: $11,417 - $17,099 (Details Below)

The 2009 Audi A3 earned the top spot in several of our used car rankings, including Used Upscale Small Cars Under $20K, Used Hatchbacks $12K to $15K, 2009 Upscale Small Cars, and 2009 hatchbacks. It earned a five out of five overall reliability rating from J.D. Power & Associates.

The compact car comes standard with leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker stereo. The 2009 Audi A3 now resells for an average price of $14,258. It earned a 9.2 overall rating in our evaluations of used cars and a perfect 10 for safety.

• Read the 2009 Audi A3 Full Review
• See 2009 Audi A3 Photos
• See Luxury Small Cars Rankings

2009 BMW X3

Avg. Price Paid: $15,847 (Details Below)

The BMW X3 topped our 2009 luxury compact SUV rankings. The five-passenger crossover earned a perfect predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power & Associates.

Sporty and powerful, the X3’s performance still stands up eight years later. Leatherette upholstery and a panoramic sunroof came standard, but features such as Bluetooth, navigation, 16-way power front seats, and HD radio cost extra.

The X3, which now resells for an average of $15,847, received an overall score of nine in our used car evaluations, and a 10 for safety. 

• Read the 2009 BMW X3 Full Review
• See 2009 BMW X3 Photos
• See Luxury Compact SUVs Rankings

2012 Cadillac CTS

Avg. Price Paid: $18,377 - $25,218 (Details Below)

The Cadillac CTS scored near the top of our rankings for Used Upscale Midsize Cars $20K to $25K and 2012 Upscale Midsize Cars. It received a 4.5 out of five in J.D. Power & Associates’ reliability ratings.

The 2012 model received an upgraded, more-powerful 3.6-liter V6 and Bluetooth as a standard feature.

The 2012 CTS scored 8.8 overall and 9.7 for safety in our used car evaluations. It now sells for an average of $21,798, half of its original price.

• Read the 2012 Cadillac CTS Full Review
• See 2012 Cadillac CTS Photos
• See Luxury Midsize Cars Rankings

2009 Ford Fusion

Avg. Price Paid: $7,523 - $10,030 (Details Below)

The Ford Fusion, our No. 1 Affordable Midsize Car in 2009, scored a five out of five reliability rating from J.D. Power & Associates.

The 2009 Fusion got standard traction control on V6 models, optional stability control, and a standard five-speed automatic transmission for the SEL trim.

A 2009 model now resells for $8,777, a fraction of its original price tag in the upper $20,000s. It scored 9.1 overall and 9.6 for safety in our evaluation of used cars. 

• Read the 2009 Ford Fusion Full Review
• See 2009 Ford Fusion Photos
• See Midsize Cars Rankings

2011 Honda Accord

Avg. Price Paid: $11,500 - $15,673 (Details Below)

The 2011 Honda Accord placed near the top of our affordable midsize car rankings when it was new. Now it’s still a bargain, providing reliability and decent performance that will get you from Point A to Point B.

Honda also improved the 2011 model’s fuel economy markedly compared with the prior year’s Accord. It earned a 4.5 out of five reliability rating from J.D. Power & Associates.

In our used car evaluations, the 2011 model scored a 8.9 overall and a 9.6 for safety. It resells for an average of $13,587, less than half of what it cost when it was new.

• Read the 2011 Honda Accord Full Review
• See 2011 Honda Accord Photos
• See Midsize Cars Rankings

2010 Lexus ES

Avg. Price Paid - 2010: $12,060 (Details Below)

The 2010 Lexus ES topped our ranking of upscale midsize cars when it was new. It also placed near the top of our ranking for used upscale midsize cars under $20K and earned a perfect five out of five in J.D. Power & Associates' reliability study.

The five-passenger sedan feels luxurious, with standard leather seats, a power sunroof, and an eight-speaker stereo.

The 2010 model scored 9.3 overall and 9.4 for safety in our evaluation of used cars. A 2010 Lexus ES resells for an average of $12,060, compared with the mid $30,000s when it was new. 

• Read the 2010 Lexus ES Full Review
• See 2010 Lexus ES Photos
• See Luxury Midsize Cars Rankings

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Avg. Price Paid: $23,141 - $29,464 (Details Below)

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class placed No. 1 in our ranking of used upscale midsize cars $25K and up. The five-passenger luxury sedan also earned a perfect five reliability rating from J.D. Power & Associates.

The Mercedes-Benz’s midsize sedan featured several luxuries, including leather upholstery and available heated front seats and a navigation system.

The 2011 model scored 9.1 overall and 10 for safety in our used car evaluations. It costs close to twice as much when it was new, but now resells for an average of $26,302.

• Read the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Full Review
• See 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Photos
• See Luxury Midsize Cars Rankings

2011 Toyota Avalon

Avg. Price Paid: $16,559 - $18,335 (Details Below)

When it was new, the 2011 Toyota Avalon topped our ranking of affordable large cars. It also ranked No. 1 among used large cars $15K and $20K. Like many Toyota nameplates, the five-passenger sedan scored a five out of five reliability rating from J.D. Power & Associates, too.

The 2011 model featured updated exterior styling, a redesigned dashboard, and standard Bluetooth and USB connectivity. It also comes with leather seats, a power sunroof, and plenty of space for passengers in both rows.

The 2011 model scored 9.2 overall and 9.7 for safety in our evaluations of used cars. It resells for an average of $17,447.

• Read the 2011 Toyota Avalon Full Review
• See 2011 Toyota Avalon Photos
• See Large Cars Rankings

More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

If you’re looking to get your hands on any of these used cars, head over to our used car rankings to see where they stack up against the competition. Also, be sure to take a look at our used car deals page. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best used car incentives manufacturers are currently offering.

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