Consumer Reports Names Best Used Cars for Every Budget

CR April '08 Cover

YONKERS, NY — Finding a reliable car for a reasonable price may seem difficult, but consumers willing to consider buying a used car may be in luck. Consumer Reports' latest survey results reveal that there are hundreds of used-car models that provide good reliability. Many can also be safe, fuel-efficient, and affordable. The report, featured in the magazine’s 2008 April Auto Issue, identifies the best and worst used vehicles for the last 10 model years, 1998 through 2007.

Vehicles featured in Consumer Reports' “Good Choices” and “Used Cars to Avoid” lists include all models that showed above- or below-average overall reliability, respectively, in CR's 2007 Annual Car Reliability Survey, which drew responses on about 1.3 million vehicles. CR has found that improved reliability has made used cars more appealing. Another added bonus when buying a used vehicle is that the impact of depreciation, which is the biggest expense associated with buying a new car, is reduced. In addition, insurance rates tend to be less expensive.

The “Good Choices” list is categorized by price and features a variety of used vehicles from various manufacturers that are available for less than $4,000 to $30,000 and up. For consumers on a budget, CR found 30 cars that can be purchased for under $4,000 including the 1998 Acura CL and the 1999 Buick LeSabre.

Consumer Reports' “Best of the Best” vehicles list, which is derived from “Good Choices”, includes vehicles that have performed well in CR's road tests and have had several years of better-than-average reliability according to survey respondents. Models from Acura, BMW, Buick, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Nissan, Pontiac, Porsche, Scion, Subaru, Toyota, and Volvo appear on the “Best of the Best” list.

Vehicles that have had multiple years of much worse than average reliability earned a spot on the “Worst of the Worst” list. The models below from Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, and Volkswagen consistently had more problems than other models overall.

If fuel economy is another major consideration when buying a used car, Consumer Reports has identified affordable and reliable vehicles that returned some of the best results in its real-world fuel-economy tests from under $10,000 and from $10,000 to $20,000. There is also a list of reliable cars that have performed well in CR's tests and in independent crash tests that are suited for teenagers.

For a full list of “Good Choices” and “Used Cars to Avoid”, check out the full report in Consumer Reports' Annual April Auto Issue which goes on sale March 4 and is available wherever magazines are sold. Free highlights from the April Auto issue will be available at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Web site; the magazine’s auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To subscribe to Consumer Reports call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

About Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.

© 2008 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.