What are the Most Cost-Effective Used Cars to Buy in 2020?

Whether you are looking at used cars in Colorado Springs because you want to avoid depreciation or you are working within a budget, we want to highlight some great options to choose from. At Bob Penkhus, we strive to provide our customers with affordable used cars that are also reliable. Considering what we know about cars, we've picked the 10 best used cars based on the cost to own, fuel savings, and reliability. Here are our choices.

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Top 10 Most-Cost Effective Used Cars to Buy in 2020

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• Honda Accord
• Toyota Prius
• Toyota Corolla
• Nissan Altima
• Mazda3
• Kia Soul
• Volkswagen Jetta
• Subaru Legacy
• Mazda6
• Lexus ES 350
  
  

Used 2015-2018 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is one of the most affordable used cars in Colorado Springs. It's been a popular family option for many years and offers a spacious interior. It also tops the charts for safety ratings and fuel economy. You can purchase a used Honda Accord for around $15,000, while a new model starts at $24,020. You will save money at the pump as well with a 17.2-gallon fuel tank and up to 27 city/36 highway mpg for all 2015-2018 Honda Accord models.

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Used 2014-2018 Toyota Prius

It would be unusual to list the best used cars and neglect the Toyota Prius. It was the first mass-produced hybrid to hit the market and remains popular today. Unlike some hybrid batteries, you won't need to replace them often. In fact, the Prius continues to prove that its batteries can easily last 250,000 miles or more. Look to get a used Prius for about $15,000 compared to a new model that starts at $24,325. When it comes to saving at the pump, it is hard to beat a Prius. The 2014-2015 Toyota Prius achieved 51 city/48 highway mpg while the 2016-2018 Toyota Prius achieves up to 58 city/53 highway mpg. All 2014-2018 Prius models offer an excellent combination of low-cost ownership and fuel pump savings.

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Used 2014-2016 Toyota Corolla

Another stand out model for good, affordable used cars to buy is the Toyota Corolla. After decades in production, this model continues to prove its worth as one of the most reliable and popular used cars on the market. The repairs continue to be minor and don't cost a fortune. Plus, the car offers good fuel economy numbers and plenty of comfort. The 2014-2016 Toyota Corolla gets up to 30 city/42 highway mpg and these aren't even hybrid models. You can purchase a used Toyota Corolla in Colorado Springs for between $10,000-13,000 on average, making it truly one of the most affordable used cars that doesn't feel old. New Toyota Corollas sell for a starting price close to $20,000, so the cost savings from buying used vs. new is very substantial.

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Used 2015-2018 Nissan Altima

Are you hoping for a comfortable sedan on this affordable used car list? Because the Nissan Altima would be a great option. It's sporty, but also very roomy. If you want the best safety features on a used Altima, look for a 2007-2012 model year that allows you to have some advanced technology at a bargain price. In fact, you can find one of these reliable models often under $14,000 with a few rare finds less than $10,000. A new Nissan Altima costs around $24,000 starting out. Used 2015-2018 Nissan Altimas get close to 27 city/39 highway mpg.

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Used 2014-2016 Mazda3

Among the best used cars to buy in Colorado Springs, one of our personal favorites is the Mazda3. There's plenty of room for occupants, plus this compact car offers a fun ride. The Mazda3 is one of the most stylish hatchbacks on the market as well. You can find many used Mazda3 models with high safety ratings (as Mazda is known for very safe vehicles), and it's not hard to find one less than $16,000; whereas a new Mazda3 starts around $22,000. 2014-2016 Mazda3 sedans get 30 city/41 highway mpg while 2014-2016 Mazda3 hatchbacks get up to 30 city/40 highway.

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Used 2014-2018 Kia Soul

One of the most affordable used cars in Colorado Springs is the Kia Soul. This trendy vehicle has lots of cargo and passenger space. Plus, you can find a used Kia Soul with decent mileage around $10,000-12,000 while a new Kia Soul starts around $18,000. All 2014-2018 Kia Souls have a fuel economy upwards of 26 city/31 highway.

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Used 2013-2018 Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta is one of the top-rated used cars of all time. This compact sedan has a large trunk, spacious interior, and high reliability rankings. Used VW Jettas can be found for sale under $15,000, which is quite the nice bit of cost savings compared to near $19,000 starting price for the new Jetta models. The Jetta excels in fuel economy. Used 2013-2018 Jetta models can get up to 30 city/43 highway mpg while the 2015 Jetta with the diesel engine gets an astounding, non-hybrid mpg rating of 31 city/46 highway.

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Used 2016-2017 Subaru Legacy

Among the top used cars in 2020, the Subaru Legacy continues to top the charts. It's easy to overlook because it wasn't the most popular on the list, but you shouldn't underestimate what a used Subaru Legacy in Colorado Springs has to offer. It provides responsive handling, lots of room, a smooth ride, and standard all-wheel drive. You will also experience great fuel economy and can pay less than $15,000 for a used 2016-2017 model. Newer models start around $23,000, so that's lots of extra money in your pocket.

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Used 2014-2018 Mazda6

Another used family sedan found in Colorado Springs that also offers plenty of cargo space while still providing a sporty ride is the Mazda6. Along with the nimble ride, you do get access to a huge trunk, high reliability/safety ratings, and superior fuel economy. For years now, the Mazda6 has been saving drivers tons of money at the fuel pump. The 2017-2018 Mazda6 is rated at 26 city/35 highway while the 2014-2016 Mazda6 achieves higher ratings of 26 city/38 highway mpg with a slight sacrifice of power. You can find a used Mazda6 for around $15,000, while the price of a new Mazda6 starts around $24,000.

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Used 2013-2017 Lexus ES 350

As far as luxury sedans go in the best used cars list, nothing compares to the Lexus ES 350. You will experience an upscale interior feel, plenty of passenger room, premium comfort, adequate cargo space, and plenty of advanced safety tech for a fraction of the cost. Luxury isn't usually synonymous with affordable, but you can find a used Lexus ES 350 for less than $25,000. This may not seem like a low number at first but compared to the starting price of newer ES 350 models, it's a very significant price drop. If you don't want to pay the new starting price of close to $40,000, a used Lexus offers the cost-savings you desire. The 2015-2017 Lexus ES 350 gets up to 21 city/31 highway mpg.

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Winners from Each Category

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Cost-to-Own

• Kia Soul
• Toyota Corolla
• Volkswagen Jetta

Fuel Pump Savings

• Toyota Prius
• Volkswagen Jetta
• Toyota Corolla or Mazda3

Reliability & Safety

• Toyota Prius
• Subaru Legacy
• Mazda6 or Honda Accord

Versatility

• Mazda3
• Toyota Corolla
• Mazda6 or Honda Accord

Cost Savings Used vs. New

• Lexus ES 350
• Mazda6
• Nissan Altima