Best Used Cars For First Time Drivers

Ford For many young people and their parents, buying a first car is a major step.
One great solution is to look at used cars, which could frequently be had for a fraction of the price of brand-new versions. We came up with 15 used cars we believe are the very best for the young car buyer on a budget.
To make our list, we concentrated on cars which are available on the industry today for under $15,000. We looked for ones that are reliable, fun to drive, comfortable, attractive, economical, functional, and first and foremost, safe.
For security, we checked the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) average front Door crash test ratings for the cars we selected.
Rates are based on present prices on Autotrader.com and reflect the lowest price we think an adequate example may cost.

2004.5-2012 Volvo S40

Starting price: $7,900 and up IIHS crash test rating: Great Why buy itIntroduced in mid 2004 as a "2004.5" model, the second generation S40 sedan is Volvo's take on a tiny, stylish, and sporty sedan. As expected with any Volvo, the S40 is equipped with a slew of safety features. Power for your S40 comes from Volvo's venerable inline five-cylinder. The bottom version pumps out a respectable 168 horsepower, while sportier turbocharged variants produces as much as 227 ponies.

2012-Present Ford Focus

Starting price: $9,000 and up IIHS crash test evaluation: Great Why buy it: Since its beginning in 1998, the Focus was a star performer for Ford. However, for year, Ford's US and European branch sold different automobiles under the "Focus" name -- with the European version better received. For 2012, the next generation Ford unified the version and gave the US Focus clients the European car they'd been waiting for. Power for Emphasis comes out of a 2.0 liter 160 horsepower inline four cylinder engine. People looking for higher performance can select the critically acclaimed 252 hp Focus ST -- though even used cases of this model may be expensive.

2002-Present Honda CR-V

Starting price: $7,500 and up IIHS crash test evaluation: Great Why buy itSince its launch in 1997, the Honda CR-V has been among the hottest selling mini-SUV's on earth. The CR-V offers an incredible blend of economy, utility and Honda's unbeatable track record for reliability. Though some may find the CR-V's smallish lookup engine to be a tad underpowered, it's more than okay for many daily commutes. Honda has also included a host of fun features like a collapsible centre console and an in-car picnic table. The CR-V has kept its own value remarkably well, so finding a well-preserved example may expect a price premium.

2002-2007 Toyota Highlander

Starting price: $7,000 and up IIHS crash test evaluation: Good Why buy it: The Toyota Highlander is perfect for the driver looking for a solid crossover SUV. While it doesn't have the off-road capabilities of the Tacoma pickup, the Highlander's four-wheel drive system offers solid bad weather performance and gives drivers a reassuring sense of solidity. Sharing a platform with the pricier Lexus RX, the Highlander asserts the interior build quality seen in its more premium cousin. Environmentally conscious buyers can opt for the Highlander Hybrid. However, consumers are led into unknown territory as aging hybrids and hybrid drive components may result in costly repair bills.