About This Driver
Your tuition bill ate the down payment budget. The car has to be cheap to buy, cheap to fix, and cheap to insure.
Top 8 Used Cars for Entry-level practical buyer
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#1 | Toyota Corolla
Parts on every shelf, cheap to fix, forgiving of skipped services. The compact sedan that survives student ownership patterns.
Shop used Toyota Corolla below -
#2 | Honda Civic
The LX trim with the 2.0L naturally aspirated engine is the bulletproof pick. Same parts availability as the Corolla.
Shop used Honda Civic below -
#3 | Hyundai Elantra
Longest manufacturer warranty in the segment (10-year/100K powertrain). Transfers to a second owner when bought certified, which matters when broke.
Shop used Hyundai Elantra below -
#4 | Nissan Sentra
Frequently the lowest sticker price on the lot. Stick to 2020 and newer. Earlier Sentras had a CVT with widespread complaints.
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#5 | Subaru Impreza
Symmetrical AWD on every trim, no upcharge. Worth considering if school is in Boone, Asheville, or anywhere west of I-77.
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#6 | Mazda Mazda3
Best driving feel in the budget class. The 2019 redesign added standard automatic emergency braking and made the cabin quieter.
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#7 | Kia Forte
Elantra's mechanical sibling, usually a few hundred dollars cheaper used. Same transferable warranty story when bought certified.
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#8 | Volkswagen Jetta
Biggest trunk in the class for moving dorm gear without renting. The 1.5T engine is the durable pick.
Shop used Volkswagen Jetta below
