These Are the Best Cars Under $10,000, According to Mechanics

Finding a car on a budget can feel like an impossible task when most new cars start selling for north of $20,000. Finding something under $10,000 is even more difficult, but it's not impossible. 

The mechanics at Accurate Automotive in Northglenn, Colorado have seen cars of all kinds come through their shop over the years. As such, they've witnessed firsthand what customers go through when they have to get work done on their vehicles. When it comes to getting a car—new or used—for less than $10,000, they offered a bevy of answers. 

"Anything Honda or Toyota," one woman said. 

"I'd probably put a down payment on a Toyota 4Runner or probably a Dodge Ram," another person said. 

"If I could, I'd see if I can maybe get a little Corolla or Subaru," another man said. 

One man also jokingly gave a Toyota answer. "I would probably go get my 2010 Toyota Camry," he said. "I paid exactly like 10 [thousand] for it."

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Toyota has consistently ranked among the best car brands for years thanks to their vehicles' reliability and often long lifespans. It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that many of these mechanics would spend their $10,000 on a Toyota vehicle. 

Related: Mechanics Share Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Cars

You won't find a brand new car today for less than $10,000 total, but it's possible to get a new set of wheels under $20,000. A new 2024 Nissan Versa is currently starting at $16,390, while another Japanese car, the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage, is selling for $16,695. The 2024 Hyundai Venue's starting MSRP is just under the $20,000 mark at $19,990.