While the car industry is dealing with some bumps in the road, the used car market is holding its own. With prices on used cars being slashed across the board, 2009 is the time to buy. We here at Kiplinger's, have chosen our top 10 picks on used cars.
Dealer retail and private party prices are based on actual transactions from Edmunds.com for previously owned vehicles considered to be in "clean" condition that have been driven an average of 12,000 miles a year. We also include the certified used price of each vehicle, also based on actual sales. Certified vehicles pass a rigorous inspection and include a warranty that goes beyond the original warranty. Take a look, the slide show begins to the right.
2005 Honda Civic EX Sedan
- Price When New: $18,860
- Dealer Used Price: $12,405
- Private Party Price: $11,426
- Certified Used Price: $13,338
- MPG (city/highway): 31/38
The Civic embodies Honda’s rep for long-lasting value and practicality. Its small sedan is fuel-efficient and fun to drive, and you can save almost $6,500 over the original price of the ’05.
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2007 Ford Five Hundred SEL
- Price When New: $23,785
- Dealer Used Price: $13,902
- Private Party Price: $12,807
- Certified Used Price: $14,872
- MPG (city/highway): 21/29
Ford’s Five Hundred — now called the Taurus — is roomy, reliable and safe. The ’05 model won Kiplinger’s Best New Car designation when it was introduced.
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2006 Infiniti G35 Sedan
- Price When New: $31,910
- Dealer Used Price: $19,257
- Private Party Price: $18,222
- Certified Used Price: $21,536
- MPG (city/highway): 19/26
This 3-series competitor offers sporty performance in a luxurious package without a luxe price. The 3.5-liter V6 produces 280 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, but you don't have to sacrifice safety or trunk space.
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2005 Lexus LS 430
- Price When New: $56,875
- Dealer Used Price: $26,237
- Private Party Price: $24,079
- Certified Used Price: $28,951
- MPG (city/highway): 18/25
The LS 430 is a perennial Kiplinger's Best in Class winner, with six consecutive titles before its 2007 redesign (when it won Best New Car). It seamlessly blends performance and pure luxury, and the ’05 costs less than half its original price.
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2005 Toyota RAV4
- Price When New: $20,665
- Dealer Used Price: $13,157
- Private Party Price: $12,127
- Certified Used Price: $14,776
- MPG (city/highway): 24/29
Toyota’s small crossover consistently tops its class for its mix of functionality, fuel-friendliness and value. The ’05 won Best Small SUV in our rankings.
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2007 Honda Pilot LX
- Price When New: $27,690
- Dealer Used Price: $17,209
- Private Party Price: $16,284
- Certified Used Price: $18,428
- MPG (city/highway): 18/24
The ultra-utilitarian Pilot seats eight, hauls 3,500 pounds and has 48 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second seat. You also get Honda engineering and reliability.
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2006 Volkswagen Golf GL
- Price When New: $16,440
- Dealer Used Price: $10,995
- Private Party Price: $10,278
- Certified Used Price: $11,878
- MPG (city/highway): 24/30
VW’s hatchback is safe and solidly built and can haul lots of gear. The zippy 4-cylinder gets 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, too.
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2007 Hyundai Sonata GLS
- Price When New: $18,970
- Dealer Used Price: $11,576
- Private Party Price: $10,838
- Certified Used Price: $13,171
- MPG (city/highway): 24/33
This two-time Best in Class winner is a strong competitor to Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, but with a lower price tag. Redesigned the year before, the ’07 has all our favorite safety equipment and tons of cargo space.
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2006 Acura TL
- Price When New: $33,995
- Dealer Used Price: $21,162
- Private Party Price: $19,812
- Certified Used Price: $23,019
- MPG (city/highway): 20/29
Honda's entry-luxury nameplate delivers quality and reliability. The TL won Best in Class two years running with stellar resale values, standard safety features and fuel-efficient performance.
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2006 Pontiac Vibe
- Price When New: $17,675
- Dealer Used Price: $10,227
- Private Party Price: $9,548
- Certified Used Price: $10,880
- MPG (city/highway): 25/31
GM's twin of the Toyota Matrix costs a few hundred dollars less. This grocery-getter has a fuel-efficient 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that gets 25 miles to the gallon in the city and 31 on the highway, and it has 19 cubic feet of cargo space.
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