Deals for 7 Categories of Used Cars

The more used vehicles there are in a market segment, the better the potential values. For each category ripe for deals, we list three-year-old models that had higher-than-average sales when new and are in plentiful supply now.

Compact. Deal! More new-car choices in recent model years plus buyer interest in fuel efficiency mean more used choices -- and relatively attractive prices. Shop for: Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic

Midsize. Deal! Lease returns this fall will boost models in the used market, and new-model sales will spur trades. Shop for: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima

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Hybrid. No deal. Sales have been limited, and green vehicles hold their value well. You may be able to find a bargain on the ubiquitous Toyota Prius, but until there is an oversupply of other hybrid models, don’t expect to find savings.

Luxury. Deal! These automakers kept leasing through the recession, so there are plenty of cars to choose from. Shop for: BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class

Small crossovers. No deal. Folks transitioning from larger SUVs are seeking them out for more miles per gallon, so demand is high and supply is tight.

Midsize/large crossovers and SUVs. Deal! Larger crossovers and body-on-frame SUVs don’t enjoy the demand they once did, thanks to high gas prices. Shop for: Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer

Full-size sedans. Deal! Even though there aren’t a ton of choices in this category, demand is down due to their less-than-stellar fuel economy. Shop for: Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima

Anderson has been with Kiplinger since January 2004, when she joined the staff as a reporter. Since then, she's covered the gamut of personal finance issues—from mortgages and credit to spending wisely—and she heads up Kiplinger's annual automotive rankings. She holds a BA in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was the 2012 president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and serves on its board of directors. In 2014, she was selected for the North American Car and Truck Of the Year jury. The awards, presented at the Detroit Auto Show, have come to be regarded as the most prestigious of their kind in the U.S. because they involve no commercial tie-ins. The jury is composed of nationally recognized journalists from across the U.S. and Canada, who are selected on the basis of audience reach, experience, expertise, product knowledge, and reputation in the automotive community.