Good Cars To Start Out With

Ford For many young people and their parents, purchasing a first car is a major step.
1 good option is to look at cars that are used, which could often be had for a fraction of the cost of new versions. We came up with 15 used automobiles we think are the very best for the youthful car buyer on a budget.
To make our list, we focused on cars that are available on the industry today for under $15,000. We looked for people that are dependable, fun to drive, comfortable, appealing, economical, practical, and first and foremost, secure.
For safety, we checked the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) average front Door crash test ratings for the automobiles we selected.
Rates are based on present prices on Autotrader.com and reflect the lowest cost we believe a decent example may cost.

2006-2015 Mazda MX5 Miata

Starting price: $12,500 and up IIHS crash test evaluation: N/A Why purchase it: When the first 1990 Mazda Miata showed up on the spectacle, the sporty small roadster all but stored the segment from extinction. With the next generation (currently known as the MX-5), the 2006 Miata still gave its owners an enjoyable and thrilling push, but with all of the creature comforts expected in a modern sports car. Power for your MX-5 comes out of a peppy 2.0-liter 170 horsepower inline four cylinder engine driving the rear wheels in conventional roadster fashion.

2011-Present Volkswagen Jetta TDI $13,500

Starting price: $12,500 and up IIHS crash test evaluation: Good Why buy itThe sixth generation Volkswagen Jetta provides buyers a fun European sport compact sedan with a decidedly upmarket feel. For the value-minded client, the diesel TDI engine alternative offers great range and fuel economy in a powerful package. However, as with any technologically innovative European automobile, take time to search for a well preserved lower mileage case, as out-of-warranty repairs to the automobile may become pricey.

2012-Present Ford Focus

Starting price: $9,000 and up IIHS crash test rating: Great Why buy it: Since its inception in 1998, the Focus was a star performer for Ford. But for year, Ford's US and European division sold different cars beneath the "Focus" title -- together with the European version much better received. For 2012, the third generation Ford unified the model and finally gave the US Focus customers the European automobile they'd been awaiting. Power for Emphasis comes out of a 2.0 liter 160 horsepower inline four cylinder engine. People searching for greater performance can select the critically acclaimed 252 hp Focus ST -- though even used examples of the model may be expensive.

2004.5-2012 Volvo S40

Starting price: $7,900 and up IIHS crash test rating: Good Why buy itIntroduced in mid 2004 as a "2004.5" version, the next 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 ton of safety features. Power for the S40 comes from Volvo's venerable inline five-cylinder. The base variant pumps out a decent 168 horsepower, while sportier turbocharged variants produces as much as 227 ponies.