10 Most Reliable Used Cars Under $15,000

2010 Lexus ES 350 ・ Photo by Lexus

Our list of the most reliable used cars for under $15,000 contains many of the usual suspects. It’s no surprise that of all the brands, Toyota/Lexus snags the most spots, due to the company’s stellar reputation for dependability. While our picks tilt towards sedans and SUVs, they also include a minivan and a sports car.   Previously owned vehicles deliver maximum value for savvy buyers. A new car can lose one-quarter of its value in the first year and residual can drop to one-half in just three years. Certified pre-owned vehicles carrying generous warranties can be an excellent value. Although a $15,000 target price limits the choices with CPO cars overall, you should have no problem finding popular CPO models like the Toyota Camry and Prius in that range.

2014 Toyota Camry

If you’re in the market for a dependable used sedan for under $15,000, the wildly popular Toyota Camry is always in the running. Consumer Reports named the 2010-2012 Toyota Camry a top used car pick and with over 400,000 Camrys sold in the United States every year since 2012, the numbers work in your favor. You’ll find reliable low mileage Camrys as recent as 2014 near our $15,000 target price. (You may even turn up a manual-equipped Camry or two.) While the Camry’s long on ubiquity, it’s not short on excitement, as long as you opt for the sleeper-status V6, which covers the 0-60 MPH sprint in a mere six seconds. On the other side of the block, thrifty folk will choose the Camry Hybrid to trim fuel expenses.

Photo by Toyota

2010 Lexus ES 350

Hankering for a comfy and dependable luxury sedan with plenty of scoot for under $15,000? Look no further than the fifth-generation Lexus ES 350 for an accommodating cabin, bulletproof reliability and V6 power. You'll save big with a previously owned model. Starting MSRP on a brand new 2016 Lexus ES350 is $38,100 and 2010 ES350s go for less than half that price. The 2010 model year benefited from a mid-cycle design refresh and was the recipient of JD Power’s 2013 Dependability award for its class. The Lexus ES sedan rode on the Camry platform through the 2012 model year, before switching to the larger Avalon platform for 2013.

Photo by Lexus

2013 Chevrolet Malibu

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu might not be glamorous, but it’s a solid choice, having received J.D. Power's Dependability Award in 2016 in the midsize sedan category. Speed your thing? The Malibu is a bit of a sleeper when equipped with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, with a factory estimated 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. Love to save at the pump? Choose the Malibu Eco to squeeze the most miles out of every gallon. A search of the Autobytel Used Car database yields an abundant supply of 2013 Chevy Malibus under $15,000. For rock-bottom Malibu prices, check out the U.S. Government GSA Auctions. Uncle Sam auctions off a whopping number of Malibus at locations across the lower 48 states

Photo by General Motors

2011 Toyota Sienna

The Toyota Sienna gets the nod as most dependable minivan under $15,000, with a 5-year-old 2011 Sienna landing at our target price. The Sienna underwent a revision for the 2011 model year and was offered with the buyer’s choice of a 2.7-liter four or a more powerful 3.5-liter V6. We’d opt for the V6 and check the sliding doors and tailgate thoroughly before purchase, as they tend to have issues. Spend some time searching and you might find a all-wheel-drive V6 Sienna — it’s a great alternative to a SUV for snowy climates. The Honda Odyssey is a solid minivan pick as well, but you’ll want to stay away from anything prior to 2008, as earlier models were prone to transmission woes.

Photo by Toyota

2009 Infiniti G35

Consumer Reports recently chose the 2007 Infiniti G35 as one of the best used cars under $15,000, calling it “a terrific sports sedan.” We found an ample selection of fourth-generation 2009 Infiniti G35s and G37s in the Autobytel used car database at or below our target price of $15,000, and the owner reliability ratings on TrueDelta are strong. The G-series is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, with all-wheel drive available. While 2008 and newer models are fitted with a 328-horsepower 3.7-liter V8 engine, mated to either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission, manual-equipped cars are not in abundance. The AWD G35x is a compelling choice for all-season fun.

Photo by Infiniti

2013 Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is the clear choice for most dependable hybrid under $15,000. You’ll find an ample supply of low-mileage 2013 (and earlier) Prius for under our target price. The 2013 Prius recently received the J.D. Power Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle Dependability Award and has a low total cost of ownership thanks to the fuel economy afforded by its Hybrid Synergy drivetrain. Acclaim for the Prius is widespread. Consumer Reports named the 2010-2013 Prius “hard to beat” in the under-$20,000 category, but the recent drop in gasoline prices has put a damper on hybrid resale values. This has created a buyer’s market. If you’re value conscious, now’s the time to step in, before gas prices inevitably rise.

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2008 Chevrolet Tahoe

General Motors’s dependable traditional truck-based SUVs offer excellent value over the long haul, but to find a clean Chevrolet Tahoe for under $15,000 you’ll need to dip into the mid-to-late 2000s. While more recent Chevy Tahoes pop up in the U.S. Government GSA Auto Auctions at our target price, they’re not nearly as common as the Malibu in the auction lanes. Take a look at the sticker on a new large Tahoe or Yukon and you’ll quickly see why a used truck can be your best bet. A high percentage of Tahoes are equipped with FlexFuel V8 engines, which is advantageous in the Midwest, where E85 is abundant and inexpensive. Late model FlexFuel Tahoes produce more horsepower when running on E85, which is a significant plus when towing.

Photo by General Motors

2011 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is one of the most dependable small SUVs available for under $15,000. A low-mileage 2011 CR-V is optimally positioned for our target price, although some 2012s may slip under the wire. If you’re keen on a manual transmission, you’ll be happy to know that you can get a stick in the CR-V, although examples will likely be hard to find. The Toyota RAV4 is the CR-V’s primary rival, and it provides a high degree of dependability, as well. The RAV4 offers a 269-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 in older models, which gives it a leg up over the CR-V's 180 horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4 when it comes to brute power.

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Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser and its upscale cousin, the Lexus LX470, are widely regarded for their dependability. The V8-powered Land Cruiser is a true body-on-frame SUV, with serious off-road capabilities. Its bulletproof reputation buoys resale value. To find a clean example for under $15,000 with less than 200,000 miles on the odometer, you may have to dig deep into the 1990s. Widening your search (and your budget) to include the Lexus LX470 will yield more possibilities (and a more luxurious interior). If you have tough roads to tackle and want a dependable older 4x4 that holds its value, this pair fit the bill, but check your candidates carefully. With an vintage Land Cruiser, the only thing to fear isn’t fear itself, it’s rust.

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2004 Honda S2000

When it comes to small reliable rear-wheel-drive roadsters, the Honda S2000 offers maximum bang for the buck. Dollar-for-dollar it’s one of the greatest sports cars ever built. Okay, so I’m a bit partial, as I’ve owned three S2000s over the years, but every one of mine has been rock solid (knock wood). If your budget is under $5,000, the Miata gets the nod. At $15K, the S2K is the E-Ticket. Stick with the 2004-2009 second generation (AP2) S2000 and you’ll be happier in traffic. The AP2’s redline is lower than the AP1, but the power band is broader and it’s more enjoyable to drive at lower revs. The S2000 only comes with a manual (and a positively splendid one at that).

Photo by Honda