With automobile prices changing drastically in the past few months, car buying has become a headache. One day, the car you’ve selected is under your budget, and the next it’s reaching sky-high prices.
With automobile prices changing drastically in the past few months, car buying has become a headache. One day, the car you’ve selected is under your budget, and the next it’s reaching sky-high prices.
On top of that, the cost to repair cars has increased every year. This has directly impacted the cost of car ownership too.
With these things going on, it is a financially smart move to get a used car as your first car. You will avoid a lot of headaches.
I’ve made a list of the 6 best cheap used cars 2025 that you can buy for, or under $10,000 today in 2025. These cars are chosen based on the J.D. Power predicted reliability score.
J.D. Power is a website that accumulates user data, and it so happens that they have accumulated a ‘reliability score’ for cars based on what the owners have to say in the past 3 years.
The score is given as:
- Best: 91-100
- Great: 81-90
- Average: 70-80
- Fair or below average: 0-69 (nice)
Reliability is the most important factor when you are planning to buy a used car. If you end up fixing the car more often than actually driving it, you’ve wasted your money. And I will not let you do that!
So, let’s dive into the list. I have some great options for you!
1. 2013 Toyota Highlander SE
J.D. Score: 81/100
The 2013 Toyota Highlander SE isn’t just a car—it’s the kind of vehicle you buy when life starts to demand more from you.
The Highlander has always been about quiet confidence. It’s not flashy—but it’s dependable in the way that matters most.
You choose this SUV because you want peace of mind. Because you’re tired of second-guessing if your car can handle that road trip, that sudden school run, that weekend move.
You want a vehicle that doesn’t make a fuss, that keeps showing up—year after year—with the same steady reliability. That’s what this Highlander does.
It’s comfortable, it feels secure on the road, and it makes everyday life a little easier. And that’s the real value here: it’s not just about driving, it’s about having one less thing to worry about.
That’s why people keep coming back to the Highlander.
It just works.
I feel it should be the tagline for Toyota: It just works! You will see a trend where Toyota has consistently had a car on the list of reliable used cars under 10k.
Every year without fail, Toyota makes a car that lasts for years. Even when used roughly. And that’s what makes the Toyota a reigning champion of reliability.
2. 2010 Ford Flex SEL
J.D. Score: 78/100
The 2010 Ford Flex SEL is for people who’ve realized that life doesn’t always fit neatly into a sedan or compact SUV. Maybe you’ve got three kids with backpacks, sports gear, and big weekend plans.
Maybe you’re the one who always volunteers to drive because your car has room. The Flex isn’t just about seating seven—it’s about doing it comfortably, without turning every journey into a game of Tetris.
Its boxy design?
That’s not just style—it’s smart. It gives you the kind of usable space that makes road trips easier, grocery runs simpler, and daily chaos feel more manageable.
Sliding into the Flex feels like stepping into a living room on wheels: wide, open, and relaxed. The SEL trim adds a touch of refinement, but what you’ll really notice is how calm and in control you feel behind the wheel, even with a full crew on board.
You buy a Ford Flex because you’re tired of cramming your life into something too small. You want space, comfort, and a vehicle that’s built to handle the hustle and bustle of real life without making it feel like a chore.
I should also mention that this particular model was designed by the head designer for Volvo. And if you have some knowledge about cars, you know Volvo is the king when it comes to vehicle safety.
Their SUVs ranked among the top in Euro NCAPs. It’s a safety test that is performed on vehicles, and based on the results, they are given stars.
Volvo has almost always managed to secure a 5-star rating (the highest) for all its vehicles. That is how safe a Volvo is.
3. 2010 Toyota Avalon
J.D Score: 89/100
The 2010 Toyota Avalon is for the driver who’s done with compromises. Maybe you’ve spent years in cars that were “good enough”—a little too noisy, a little too cramped, a little too rough around the edges.
Then you drive an Avalon, and suddenly you remember what comfort actually feels like. Quiet, smooth, effortless. It’s the kind of car you settle into, not just sit in.
This isn’t about flash or gimmicks. It’s about mature, confident refinement. The Avalon glides over bad roads. The cabin stays hushed even at highway speeds.
You don’t have to work to enjoy the drive—it just happens. And that’s the point: it’s a car that doesn’t waste your time, your energy, or your patience.
Everything about it is designed to make your daily life feel a little less stressful and a lot more dignified.
You buy the Avalon when you’ve earned a bit of peace on the road.
It’s for people who value reliability, who appreciate comfort, and who want their car to feel like an extension of their own good judgment.
It’s easily one of the best low-maintenance used cars under 10k that still manages to feel premium.
4. 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
J.D Score: 89/100
The 2012 Chevy Malibu is the kind of car you choose when you want to stop worrying about your ride and start focusing on everything else life throws at you.
It’s for someone moving up from their first car, or maybe just stepping into something more grown-up, more stable, more comfortable, more dependable. This isn’t a car that tries too hard.
It just quietly does the job, and does it well.
The Malibu handles daily commutes and long drives with equal ease. It feels solid, grounded, and reassuring on the road.
There’s enough space to bring passengers along comfortably, and enough trunk room to haul whatever the week demands—groceries, luggage, or a couple of kids’ sports bags without a struggle.
But what really makes the 2012 Malibu a smart buy is how it gives you a touch of refinement without the premium price.
It’s not trying to impress—it’s trying to make your life smoother. Fewer maintenance worries, a more relaxed drive, and the kind of comfort that makes Monday mornings feel a little less harsh.
I’m a bit partial to Chevrolet because it was the first car I ever owned. It was the best car to me. There were “better value” options, but something about the company, I just like it.
It served me for 8 long years. Rarely broke down and was never a headache. It’s one of those best budget cars 2025 picks that doesn’t skimp on quality.
5. 2013 Buick Verano
J.D. Score: 91/100
The 2013 Verano solves a real problem: how do you enjoy comfort, style, and peace of mind without overspending?
This is the answer.
The 2013 Buick Verano is for drivers who’ve outgrown the harshness of entry-level cars but aren’t interested in flashy badges or unnecessary extras.
It’s for someone who wants calm, not chaos—someone who values comfort, silence, and a little sophistication in their everyday drive.
It’s the perfect fit for someone who wants a small car that doesn’t feel small. City parking is easy, fuel costs stay low, and yet you still get the smooth, composed ride of something more premium.
And because it’s a Buick, it carries that under-the-radar quality—classy without showing off.
Honestly, I came to know about Buick a while back. I knew it was somehow related to Cadillac due to their logo resemblance.
It was only after my friend bought a Buick Envision in 2017 that I got to know more about the company. And to my surprise, it is owned by General Motors, the same company that Chevrolet is under!
How cool is that!?
6. 2012 Scion xD
J.D. Score: 89/100
This is the car for someone who wants to keep life simple, efficient, and just a little fun.
The 2012 Scion xD is built for people who value simplicity that works.
You don’t need a flashy badge or overcomplicated tech—you need a car that starts every morning, weaves through traffic like a breeze, and doesn’t flinch when it’s time for a weekend haul to IKEA.
The xD is for people who hate wasting time on repairs or gas money.
It’s Toyota-engineered under the skin, so you’re getting rock-solid reliability without the dealership price tag.
And since it was part of the Scion brand, you also get a bit of edge—something a little different from the usual commuter crowd.
What To Keep In Mind When Buying a Used Car
You need to remember that you are not buying a car, but the owner. Not literally, but figuratively.
The best car under $10k is not some particular brand. It’s the car that has been babied and taken care of extremely well. You could theoretically get a supercar at that price, but it won’t be in driving condition.
If you plan on buying with full cash, I’d suggest buying a car for $7k-$8k and then keep the remaining for repairs. No matter the car brand, there will be something that will need fixing.
So better have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Make sure to cross-check all the documents before finalizing the deal. Go there physically and check. If you don’t know how to, take a mechanic with you. A trustee mechanic.
