There are a surprising number of great used cars for less than $8,000 out there, despite the pricing impacts of looming tariffs pushing more buyers downmarket. However, the primary concern you should have when looking for a new-to-you car on an $8,000 budget is finding a car with a solid maintenance history and evidence it was cared for by its previous owner or owners. But whatever type of sedan, hatchback, or wagon you’re after, there’s likely a car on this list that will suit your needs.
Here are 10 of the best used cars you’ll find for less than $8,000.
1. 2012 Honda Accord
Available in both coupe and sedan form on our budget, the 2012 Honda Accord is a great example of one of the benchmark cars of the past several decades. With leather upholstery and a V6 engine — or more efficient 4-cylinder — on the menu, the 2012 Accord offers a lot of value for not much cash. If you can’t find a 2012 in your price range, look for a 2010-2011 model.
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2. 2011 Toyota Camry
The 2011 Toyota Camry, unlike the Accord, is available only as a sedan. It’s one of the best sedans of the era, with your choice of an efficient 4-cylinder engine or more powerful V6, a spacious interior, and lots of equipment on loaded XLE models. Expert tip: XLE and Hybrid models feature an ionizing air cleaner in the climate control system.
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3. 2010 Toyota Corolla
As the Civic is to the Accord, so the 2010 Toyota Corolla is to the Camry: A smaller but still very good and well-rounded sedan. On our budget, the nearly loaded XLE should be the primary target. It has features like remote keyless entry and 16-inch wheels. Buying tip: The sporty XRS is just outside our budget but is the most fun-to-drive Corolla of this timeframe.
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4. 2012 Honda Civic
The sporty, smart, economical 2012 Honda Civic is available in sedan and coupe forms. Better yet, all but the lofty Si models are within reach of our $8,000 budget. With 140 horsepower and up to 41 mpg on the highway, the Civic is a fun-to-drive all-arounder that can be found with a power moonroof, leather upholstery, cruise control, and more.
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5. 2013 Mazda3
A compact car that competes with the Civic for sportiness, the 2013 Mazda3 is fun to drive and fuel-efficient, netting up to 40 mpg on the highway. It’s available as a sedan or hatchback, with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions and 148 to 167 hp in the mainstream models. The only trim level you might not be able to find in this price range is the diabolical 263-hp MazdaSpeed3.
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6. 2014 Ford Fusion
For a sporty, well-equipped family sedan that’s not as common as the Accord or Camry, the 2014 Ford Fusion gets you into a newer and potentially hybrid-powered car. At 47 mpg in hybrid form, the Fusion is the most efficient car on this list, making it a great choice for those who log lots of miles.
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7. 2012 Mazda6
The 2012 Mazda6 is styled and equipped more like an entry-level luxury sedan from that era, but it feels like a sports coupe on the road. It was available with a 170-hp 4-cylinder or 272-hp V6, with an automatic or manual transmission (4-cylinder only). Fuel economy is as good as 31 highway mpg.
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8. 2013 Subaru Outback
Famous for its utility and, in some regions, ubiquity, the 2013 Subaru Outback is a uniquely flexible vehicle. It offers the comfort of a sedan or wagon, the space of a compact crossover, and the ground clearance of an SUV. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, and you can choose between the 4-cylinder (up to 30 mpg highway) or the 6-cylinder (256 hp). Audiophile tip: Keep your eyes peeled for examples with the available Harman Kardon 9-speaker audio setup.
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9. 2015 Nissan Altima
The 2015 Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan with a comfortable interior, a choice of 4-cylinder or V6, plus power windows and a CD player as standard equipment. In this price range, you’re more likely to find the fuel-efficient 4-cylinder. Of those, look for a 2.5 SL to get power leather front seats, rear air vents, Bose audio, and a heated steering wheel.
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10. 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
Compact, comfortable, and practical, the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze gives the Fusion Hybrid a run for its money on fuel efficiency, with a gasoline Eco model capable of 42 mpg highway. If you want the diesel, look for a previous-gen 2015, which was capable of 46 mpg highway; models with the new-for-2017, more efficient diesel might be out of budget. Even the “thirstiest” Cruze rates a solid 40 mpg on the highway. Expert tip: The Cruze is also surprisingly fun to drive.
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10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000
- 2012 Honda Accord
- 2011 Toyota Camry
- 2010 Toyota Corolla
- 2012 Honda Civic
- 2013 Mazda3
- 2014 Ford Fusion
- 2012 Mazda6
- 2013 Subaru Outback
- 2015 Nissan Altima
- 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
