Welcome to LotPro.com’s third list of the ten best used cars. We’re adding another $2,000 to the price range and now we’re looking at cars between $12,000 and $14,000. In alphabetical order they are…
1. 2004 Chrysler Crossfire - This car isn’t very practical for most people, but for those of you looking for a solid platform (it’s based on the Mercedes-Benz SLK) and head-turning looks at an affordable price, the Crossfire might just be what you’re looking for.
2. 2006 Buick LaCrosse – Although styling is not LaCrosse’s strong suit, remember that it replaced the Century/Regal. Besides, a roomy interior gives this offering from the General a lot of bang for the buck.
3. 2007 Ford Fusion – If the 2006 version was a player in the 12K-14K range, the 2007 makes an equal statement for another 2 grand. With good looks both inside and out, put this one on your short list.
4. 2006 Honda Civic – This is beginning to sound like a broken record, but there is no way that we can keep the Civic off any 10 Best lists. The ’06 is also the first year of the 8th generation with stunning styling in both the interior as well as exterior. Once again, Honda raises the bar in the compact segment. You may also be able to snag the more mundane-looking 2005 Civic Hybrid for close to the same price as a regular ’06 Civic.
5. 2005 Honda Accord – The hits just keep on coming for Honda, and the Accord is at the top of the list. The Accord is the perennial favorite of just about every consumer and enthusiast magazine on the planet – from Car and Driver to Consumer Reports – with points for handling as well as quality.
6. 2007 Jeep Compass – More of a mini-SUV than a real Jeep, the Compass shares its architecture with, and is built alongside, the Dodge Caliber. At least the Compass looks like a Jeep while the Caliber is, to put it mildly, more of a challenge in the styling department.
7. 2006 Mazda MPV – Mazdas don’t seem to get any respect in the American market, except for the somewhat adorable Miata. In particular, the MPV is almost a ghost in the marketplace, overshadowed by the Odyssey-Sienna twins from Honda and Toyota. To be sure, the MPV can’t match either one when it comes to cargo space, but for city dwellers and those of us who are parallel-parking challenged, the MPV really fills the bill.
8. 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis – Who says size doesn’t matter? Certainly not the owners of the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis. A big trunk, a big back seat and, dare we say it, enough sheet metal between you and the bumpers to make accidents seem like they happened in another state.
9. 2005 Nissan Altima V-6 – If you’re tired of all the Accords and Camrys on the road, we suggest you test drive the Altima. A lower resale value than the twins means you can pick up a V-6 Altima for about the same price as 4-cylinder versions of the Honda or Toyota.
10. 2004 Toyota Prius – The second generation Prius can’t be mistaken for anything else. Toyota sure made the right move when they transformed the lump that was the first generation Prius into the darling of Hollywood. If this doesn’t announce to the world “I’m green”, nothing does. It doesn’t hurt that the Jetson-esque cabin is larger and the hatchback style gives this Goremobile almost 14.5 cubic feet of cargo volume.
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