# Want cheap reliable used car \< $10K \<3000 Miles per year **URL:** \ **Category:** Buying/Selling\ **Created:** [July 8, 2018, 8:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658 "2018-07-08T20:31:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![williamquay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8797f3/32.png) [@williamquay](https://community.cartalk.com/u/williamquay)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 8:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/1 "2018-07-08T20:31:59Z")
I have not bought a used car in a while. I am retired and find I need a “get around town and to the doctor” car. So MPG not important. Reliability and comfortable driving matter, would greatly prefe auto transmission as I have some disability in my left leg. Would love something like a Prius, but realize that is a fantasy. Currently have access to a Yaris stick shift and I HATE it… All advice welcome, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/2 "2018-07-08T21:05:40Z")
Toyota Camry. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/3 "2018-07-08T21:31:30Z")
I was on the interstate watching cars that passed me, Ford Focus seemed popular. I looked at one last year, for my daughter in case we could not fix her saturn, and the price was 6k for an 8 year old model. No guarantees but worth a look I think ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/4 "2018-07-08T21:54:15Z")
The main issue I see in your post is that no one on the planet can determine whether or not a used car is going to be reliable. A pre-purchase inspection can help ward off some demons but even that is not a guarantee. Even buying a brand new car is no 100% rock solid guarantee that you will make it from A to B without trouble. A few years ago my oldest son rented a Focus for a cross-country trip as he was waiting on a tire order for his car. He was pleasantly surprised by a decent ride and 40+ MPG. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 10:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/5 "2018-07-08T22:09:05Z")
Small cars are not popular these days. What about a Yaris with automatic transmission? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/6 "2018-07-08T22:35:51Z")
When someone has a physical problem such as a leg disability giving advice on what to buy is impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/7 "2018-07-08T22:38:09Z")
The best value would be a Hyundai Accent; it’s quieter and more comfortable than the Yaris, and you can get a late model one for under $10,000. A Hyundai Elantra would be a good choice as well. All these have good automatics.These would be the cars I would look at when buying something for a relative who drove little. With the few miles you drive you will never wear our a Toyota, but a Corolla would also be a good choice. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/8 "2018-07-08T22:55:25Z")
Is Uber a realistic alternative? I’ve found it very convenient. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/9 "2018-07-08T23:24:31Z")
I agree with @texases; my parents are elderly and don’t get out much. Just doctor visits and some other odd events. Uber has been very cost effective as opposed to having a car, insurance, registration, maintenance. I also don’t have to worry about them getting in an accident. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-cheap-reliable-used-car-10k-3000-miles-per-year/120658/10 "2018-07-08T23:54:10Z")
The April issue of Consumer Reports is their annual car issue. It always has an article about recommended used cars by price range and car type. $5,000-10,000: Honda Accord '08-09, Mazda 6 '09-11, Toyota Camry '08-09 top list of mid-size and large cars because of their general overall quality plus much better-than-average reliability.