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  • The Subaru Impreza is a cheap used car you can fit anything you need in
  • A used Volkswagen GTI is cheap car for the enthusiasts
  • The Kia K5’s warranty can’t be beaten

Surely you’ve heard by now. Or worse still, you’ve seen what a mess the new car market is right now. People are flipping Ford Broncos left and right, and it’s nearly impossible to get your hands on anything. That’s doubly true if you’re trying to buy a car at MSRP. So, that begs the question: what cheap used cars can you get for the cost of a new 2022 Honda Civic?

A red 2022 Honda Civic sedan shot from the front 3/4
The Civic EX starts at used car prices | Honda

The 2022 Honda Accord LX is a new car for used car money

A red 2022 Honda Accord shot from the front 3/4
The Accord offers shocking value | Honda

It turns out, quite a lot. We took to a swath of online autos markets to see what cheap used cars fit the bill. And the first one we found was a new car. Now, there’s a bit of an asterisk here, as the 2022 Honda Accord can be a little tricky to find. We found only a handful in our search nationwide. Supposing you can, a 2022 Accord LX can be had for $26,120. It’s about all the car you need.

A 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is a reliable cheap car with a warranty

A 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is one of the best cheap cars out there, seen here in blue.
The VW Jetta is a used car staple | Volkswagen

Shockingly, we found plenty of more upmarket Volkswagen Jettas in our search for cheap used cars. Like, a lot of them. It’s no issue to find a gently used Volkswagen Jetta on the cheap. Generally speaking, you can have your choice of cheap used VW Jetta for anywhere between $24,000 and $27,000 if you spring for a peppy Jetta GLI.

You can’t beat the 2021 Kia K5’s warranty

A silver 2021 Kia K5 shot from the front 3/4
Kia’s K5 comes with an unbeatable warranty | Kia

Obviously, we needed a car with a killer warranty on our list of the best cheap used cars, and the Kia K5 provides that in spades. Kia offers a 10-year 100,000-mile warranty on just about every car they sell, the K5 included. Thankfully, that warranty can be transferred to you. Oh, and the K5 isn’t a bad car either. It’s available in a number of trims for right around $26,000 depending on trim level.

A 2021 Subaru Impreza is a reliable family car

A white Subaru Impreza wagon is one of the best cheap used cars out there, shot here from the front 3/4 on a city street
The Impreza offers more practicality than a new Civic | Subaru

Next up on our list of cheap used cars is the Subaru Impreza. It’s a reliable, practical family car with an available wagon layout. Moreover, it’s also readily available. Of course, that’s incredibly important in this market. We’d recommend the wagon trim. The Impreza is crushed the Corolla in Consumer Reports’ comparison, and for good reason. Expect to pay anywhere from $23K-$27K.

The Volkswagen GTI is all the cheap used car you need

A Volkswagen GTI is one of the best cheap used cars for enthusiasts, shot here from the front
The GTI is all any enthusiast needs for Civic money | Volkswagen

Finally, one for the enthusiasts to round out our list of the best cheap used cars. The Volkswagen GTI is all the car any enthusiast needs. With 200+ hp and a stick, you can find a GTI in just about any price range. However, expect maintenance costs to rise in accordance with miles. Happy hunting.

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MotorBiscuit Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Chase Bierenkoven

Chase Bierenkoven has been obsessed with cars his whole life and now finds joy in sharing what he’s learned from his own daily drivers. Chase earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a focus on legal studies from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and quickly became an automotive journalist. When he isn’t writing, Chase is either driving his passion project, a 2004 BMW M3 in Carbon Schwartz Metallic, or playing around Colorado’s terrain, mainly mountain biking and skiing.