Bargains in used cars are increasingly harder to find. Fewer new-car sales over the past couple of years meant fewer trade-ins and vehicles coming off lease.
Plus, in the wake of the recession, buyers turned to used cars in a big way, tightening supply even more.
We picked ten vehicles -- seven sedans, two SUVs and one convertible -- that received top scores in Kiplinger's rankings for performance, value and safety, get high marks for reliability, and won’t drain your wallet at the gas pump.
Dealer and private-party prices are based on actual transactions reported by Edmunds.com for previously owned vehicles considered to be in "clean" condition and driven an average of 12,000 miles a year. We also include the certified used price of each vehicle, based on actual sales. Certified vehicles pass a rigorous inspection and include a warranty that goes beyond the car's original warranty.
