Score Big Savings with These 13 Used Cars Under $12K
Buying a car can sometimes feel like walking through a minefield. There are so many ways it can go wrong, and it doesn't help that we have so many choices and that cars cost so much in 2024.
Many people are increasingly choosing used cars, mainly as they can slash prices instantly. And incredibly, there are used cars available for less than $12,000.
This list contains 13 of those cars. We've based their inclusion on the value they offer and how good a car they are for the money you are paying. We won't include any cars on the list just because they are cheap!
2012 Honda Accord
Almost any Honda you can find for less than $12,000 is a great option, but the 2012 Honda Accord is even better. The 2012 Accord is a solid option, with two engine options available and up to 271 horsepower, depending on which model you select.
Engines include a 2.4-liter inline-four with 177 horsepower and a slightly higher 190 horsepower version. For those who want more grunt, there is also the 3.5-liter V6 engine, providing 271 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque.
2017 Kia Soul
A wide variety of smaller cars are available for less than $12,000, and you would struggle to go wrong with the brilliant 2017 Kia Soul. The funky Soul is one of the best compact cars of recent years, and despite its size, it has a lot of cargo space and plenty of room for its passengers.
The turbocharged engine, specifically a four-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower, was new to the 2017 model year. This is a nice increase over the standard naturally-aspirated four-cylinder unit's 161 horsepower.
2012 Toyota Camry
Few cars offer better value for money at $12,000 or less than the 2012 Toyota Camry. The Camry is still one of Toyota's most dependable products, and the 2012 model can still offer up to 35 mpg on the highway, comparable to more modern cars.
A four-cylinder engine is standard, but if you opt for the SE and XLE trims, you will get the more powerful V6 engine. Toyota also offered a hybrid version in 2012, which offered up to 40 or 41 mpg and had plenty of power thanks to the hybrid 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
2018 Chevrolet Cruze
It might not be the most inspiring car on this list, but the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze is another example of how boring doesn't mean bad. The Cruze has a superb reliability record, excellent fuel economy, and a spacious, comfortable cabin. Unlike some more modern cars, the technology inside is also very user-friendly.
The 2018 Cruze range had various peppy engines, from the base 153 horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to the 137 horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel.
2015 Mazda 3
While the latest Mazda 3 is certainly worth its asking price in terms of design and driving feel, the earlier Mazda 3 wasn't a bad offering. In particular, the 2015 Mazda 3 is big on fun and has plenty of space while retaining the compact design that has made it so popular.
With up to 184 horsepower available, the 2015 Mazda 3 is a brilliant choice for a daily driver. Making it even better is that it offers up to 34 mpg combined, a figure that some modern offerings struggle to compete with.
2018 Ford Focus
Ford sometimes gets a bad rep for questionable reliability, but that doesn't mean you can't buy one of their cars on the used market. The 2018 Ford Focus is an excellent option, providing a car with agile handling and two very potent and enjoyable turbocharged engines.
The two turbocharged engines are the 225 horsepower engine found in the ST and the 350 horsepower engine found in the RS. If you want less power, more economical and tamer engines such as the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with the Focus S are also options.
2012 Buick LaCrosse
Buick has a different presence in the United States than it did a few years ago, so the used market is a great way to pick up a slice of American luxury. The 2012 LacCrosse is an excellent Buick to choose from, with its part of the 2010 generation upgrade.
The most significant change for the 2021 LaCrosse was the standard eAssist, which adds a 15-horsepower electric motor to the 182-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec-four engine. A 306-horsepower V6 engine is also an option, and driving the Buick is enjoyable thanks to its surprisingly agile handling.
2015 Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is a perfect advertisement for how looks can be deceiving. What looks like a fairly average Honda hatchback is one of the most enjoyable products in its range, with the 2015 model a particular standout.
The Fit boasts impressive fuel economy of up to 41 mpg on the highway and 33 mpg in the city. Power comes from a 130 horsepower four-cylinder engine, and the Fit has a six-speed manual transmission. A CVT is also available, both of which are excellent options.
2017 Hyundai Elantra
In recent years, Hyundai has begun to make a name for itself, but some of its older products represent excellent value for money. The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is one of them, offering a stylish and comfortable sedan that can still hold its own against more modern offerings.
The interior is a particular highlight thanks to the amount of space it has and how comfortable it is. The 2017 model doesn't skimp on features either, with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available. The Elantra has up to 201 horsepower, thanks to its extensive engine options.
2018 Hyundai Accent
If you are looking for a subcompact car and also want it to be from Hyundai, look no further than the 2018 Accent. The 2018 Accent has an excellent safety and reliability record and provides a roomy cabin for both the front and the rear passengers.
The 2018 Accent's cabin is quiet and calm, while up front, you have access to up to 130 horsepower and around 38 mpg on the highway. The 2018 Accent is a peaceful, smooth, understated, excellent, affordable used car.
2015 Subaru Impreza
Everyone loves a Subaru Impreza, and if you don't want to splash out on the latest offering, you can easily pick up the 2015 model for well below $12,000. What you get for your money in an engaging, all-wheel drive car that has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood
The 2015 Impreza's design is straightforward both inside and out, although some might argue it is a bit plain. However, the interior is spacious and comfortable, with all controls in easy reach and no annoying, fiddly touch-screen infotainment system.
2012 Toyota Avalon
While not as flashy or popular as the Camry, the 2012 Toyota Avalon still represents an excellent used car offering. Thanks to its 3.5-liter V6 engine, the Avalon offers up to 268 horsepower.
The fuel economy isn't excellent, but a combined mpg of 23 will still be enough for most people. The 2012 Avalon has a very comfortable and enjoyable ride, and the interior is an excellent place to be. Its biggest downside, though, is the somewhat plain styling and aesthetic.
2015 Volkswagen GTI
If you want some extra fun and power for your $12,000, look at the 2015 Volkswagen GTI. Available for as low as $11,000, the 2015 GTI brings fun, excitement, and agility to the used car market while still offering excellent interior space.
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 210 horsepower. The optional performance package adds another ten horses, and the standard six-speed manual transmission makes the 2015 GTI an absolute blast in the corners. For those seeking more comfort, you can also pick it up with a six-speed automated manual transmission.
