Best Small Used Cars To Buy
Small used cars are the backbone of the entry-level automobile scene, with many first-time drivers choosing a secondhand compact or subcompact vehicle as the starting point on their automotive journey. The small used car universe is a diverse one, with options ranging from practical to economical to fun, all depending on what you need out of a daily driver. Fortunately, most used compact and subcompact automobiles also happen to be relatively affordable, which underscores their long-term popularity as entry-level options.
best small used cars to buy
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is proof positive that small and affordable don't have to equal boring on a used car lot. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a compact roadster that features perfect 50/50 weight balance, excellent handling, and the choice between either a soft top or a power retractable hardtop (for additional all-weather capability). The inexpensive Miata comes with a 167 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and depending on trim level you can find versions of the car offering five and six-speed manual transmissions as well as a six-speed automatic. It's hard to match the 'fun to dollars spent' ratio of the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
The Ford Focus is another small used car that offers interesting driving dynamics, even though it's not aimed at the enthusiast crowd. Available in both sedan and practical hatchback body styles, the Ford Focus is suitable as bare-bones daily transportation but can also be equipped with a high level of technology, as later models feature the MyFord Touch vehicle interface as well as an automatic parking system. More recent used Focuses boast a 2.0-liter, 160 horsepower four-cylinder engine that is also good for 146 lb-ft of torque, and you'll find five-speed manual and six-speed dual-clutch automated manual editions of the car. Fuel economy for SFE trim levels of the Focus is listed at 28-mpg city and 40-mpg highway.
The Mazda Mazda3 can be thought of as one of the best options for compact car fans who need to stay within budget, but who also want to maximize handling. Guided by the same design philosophy that helped create the Miata, the Mazda Mazda3 (whether found in a hatchback or a sedan) is nimble and poised in the corners while still offering a high level of available equipment and good road manners when the going gets rough. Late-model used Mazda3s are known for their Skyactiv engine technology, which helps the car's 155 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit achieve 28-mpg in city driving and 40-mpg on the highway (beware of the car's base 2.0-liter, non-Skyactiv unit, which is less powerful and not nearly as frugal). Used Mazda3s can also be had with a 167 horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder that returns 20-mpg city and 28-mpg highway, and transmission choices for the car include five and six-speed manuals and five-speed automatics.
The Buick Verano was introduced as an experiment to see whether compact shoppers would cotton to a small luxury-oriented sedan. The move was a successful one, and the Buick Verano has found an audience on both the new and used car market. Much quieter inside than most vehicles of its size, and featuring a high level of comfort and convenience equipment, the Verano also offers a pair of four-cylinder engine options. A 2.4-liter motor good for 180 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque has been available since the beginning, but in the second year of production a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit was also introduced, bringing with it 250 horses and 260 lb-ft of twist. The former is the more efficient of the pair, but the latter adds a six-speed manual transmission option alongside the Verano's standard six-speed automatic.
The BMW 1 Series wasn't just the smallest car in production from BMW during its six-year stay on our shores - in the eyes of many it was also the most fun to drive and the most true to the German brand's sporting roots. Available as both a coupe and a convertible, with the fixed-roof edition being more affordable as a small used car, the BMW 1 Series offered a choice between a 230 horsepower, 3.0-liter, naturally-aspirated inline six-cylinder engine (128i) or a turbocharged version of the same good for 300 horses and 300 lb-ft of torque (135i). Transmission options for the 1 Series include a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic.
The Volkswagen Beetle TDI shed most of the cute aspects of its retro styling a few short years ago when it was made over in a more modern image. The Volkswagen Beetle TDI didn't make our list of small used cars based on looks alone, however: it's here primarily due to its exceptionally efficient turbodiesel engine. The Beetle TDI's 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder is rated at 28-mpg in stop an go driving and 41-mpg on the highway, which is head and shoulders above most of its rivals. With 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque on tap the TDI's no slug, either, and a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission are available with the car.
The Toyota Matrix S is no longer in production, and that's because it represented a somewhat old school take on what a compact car should offer. Essentially a hatchback version of the popular Corolla, the Matrix S deviated from the standard Toyota playbook by offering the option of all-wheel drive - a rarity amongst hatchbacks in its class. Opting for an AWD Matrix S also meant choosing the car's more powerful 158 horsepower, 2.4-liter motor and a four-speed automatic transmission. Naturally, this combination doesn't offer the most competitive fuel mileage, but its winter-friendly traction is a boon to those looking for a small used car in a snowy winter climate.
The Honda Fit isn't easy to find cheap, as this small used car has recruited legions of fans thanks to its reliability and sheer utility. You get just a tick over 57 cubic feet of total cargo space inside the Honda Fit, which is made even more impressive by the car's tiny footprint. It's all made possible by Honda's 'Magic Seat' system that offers a variety of configurations to accommodate oversize items. Under the hood, the Fit offers a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 117 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque, matched to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Fuel mileage for the Fit shows as 28-mpg city and 35-mpg highway.
Hyundais have continued to get better and better over the years, with the latest range of cars more than able to compete with rivals from Ford and Vauxhall. This also applies to the firm's smallest model - the i10 city car.
If you want your small car to look stylish, you shouldn't look much further than the Mini Hatch. It's regularly one of the most popular new cars in this segment, and with its fun driving experience, smart styling and nicely finished interior, it's not hard to see why. With Mini offering extensive personalisation for customers buying new, there are a great range of models to choose from on the used market too.
It would be impossible to include a list of the best small cars without including the Ford Fiesta - one of the best-selling cars of all time. This Ford has always looked stylish for its time, while it's typically quite reliable and great fun to drive too.
Think small cars need to be tight for space and impractical? Well, the Honda Jazz suggests that doesn't have to be the case, with its big boot and clever flip-up 'Magic Seats' actually making it more versatile than many larger cars.
The Corsa is another hugely popular small car, and this Vauxhall has always had a closely fought battle with the Ford Fiesta for the best-selling new car title. There are a huge range of versions to choose from, but the fifth-generation model (known as the Corsa E) is a great choice, with its more modern styling inside and out being a step above its predecessor.
If you're looking at a small car, it could be worth considering something electric - especially if you don't do many miles or live in an urban area. And one of the most affordable used EVs is the Renault Zoe, which has been around since 2013, with used prices now starting from around 7,000.
While the Zoe offers a decent level of practicality, will bring very low running costs and is easy to drive, you should be aware that early examples do have quite a small range - likely not even 100 miles from its 22kWh battery. Many used Zoes also require you to lease the battery from Renault, which typically costs around 50 a month, depending on your mileage. However, should the battery need changing - usually a very expensive job - Renault will do this for free.
"We're positioning these cars as great for young drivers because they won't break the bank," she told the Free Press. "But these cars are good for anybody. It's a well-rounded used car that clicks all the boxes."
No sports cars made the list of 65 used vehicles that range in cost from $5,300 to $19,600, the report noted. Excessive horsepower is not a desired quality here. Vehicles under 2,750 pounds were also eliminated. The biggest, heaviest vehicles were excluded because they can be hard to handle and have increased braking distances, the test team said.
The "best choices" include performance in a driver-side small overlap test, which replicates what happens when the front left corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole. The top list also excludes vehicles with substantially higher than average insurance claim rates under medical payment or personal injury protection coverage, adjusted for driver age and other factors, the report said.
Ty was born and raised in the automotive world. He's an enthusiastic expert who writes exquisite content about cars, automotive sales, and dealership best practices. When not writing for AutoRaptor, you'll find Ty on the golf course.
Used car dealerships are an essential part of the automotive industry, but competition is tough not only within the used car market but when you consider new car dealerships and online buying options are also competing for buyers. To stay ahead, small and independent used car dealerships need to provide excellent customer service and build strong relationships with their customers. 041b061a72