Shopping for a used car makes a lot of sense in this day and age. You’ll save money on car insurance, registration, and taxes, and you won’t have to worry about depreciation, which is the loss in a car’s value over time. It also makes sense because cars are more reliable than ever; many have no issues for 100,000 miles and counting.

Also, there are some incredible deals out there, and with the Internet by your side, you can easily do the serious research needed to find the best used car. Research is where it counts, because you want to make sure you’re finding the right balance of reliability and performance.

Luckily, we’ve done some research for you and found the best used cars for under $15,000. Read on to see which cars made the top of our list.

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is, simply put, one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States. It is also one of the most acclaimed cars due to its well-known and celebrated reliability. If you purchase an Accord, you’re buying for the long-term. Even if something does happen (knock on wood), parts are widely available and mechanics are well-versed in fixing any problems you might have with an Accord. Despite it being a Japanese vehicle, the Accord is produced and manufactured in the United States, and it is actually one of the most popular Japanese vehicles in North America. 

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a legend amongst hybrids. If you do your research, you’ll find almost everyone has something good to say about the Toyota Prius. iSeeCars ranks the Prius as the “#1 Longest-Lasting Hybrid,” and boasts that “as the most popular hybrid car, the success of the Toyota Prius paved the way for automakers to introduce hybrid vehicles into their lineups.”

While such a claim may seem extravagant, it’s undoubtedly true that after the launch of the Toyota Prius, most auto companies saw a good reason to add hybrids or hybrid-electrics to their production lines. The Prius is also amongst the most reliable and durable passenger cars to reach 200,000 miles, and all the while, it retains its value remarkably well. The final argument to choose a Prius has to be its above-average safety ratings paired with its large cargo space, making it an ideal vehicle for families. 

Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy is a winner in its class of midsized passenger cars. It features standard all-wheel drive, which many of its rivals do not offer. The Subaru Legacy also has excellent fuel economy, solid handling, and an updated, easy-to-use infotainment system. You may not even notice that you’re driving a used car.

The only downsides here are a slightly smaller-than-average trunk as well as less-than-ideal reliability ratings. Some of the other cars on this list are more dependable choices, even if they lack some of the flair and finesse of the Legacy. 

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is one of the best-selling sedans, proven to be both a safe and reliable option for used car buyers. It is one of the longest-lasting passenger cars to reach 200,000 miles, and it’s also one of the top models for value retention. Though it won’t blow you away with its power or gusto, the Camry will get you where you need to go while making your ride enjoyable and comfortable.

To put it succinctly, the Camry has everything most people want in a used midsize car, along with excellent interior accommodations and above-average reliability ratings.  

Honda Civic

Rated by iSeeCars as the “#1 Longest-Lasting Compact Car,” the demand for the Honda Civic remains strong. The Civic is known for its awesome reliability and durability — many owners joke that they know they’ll be passing this car down to their kids, once they reach driving age.

The Civic is also one of the long-lasting vehicles to top 200,000 miles, and, while doing so, depreciates far less than the average sedan, making its value worthwhile for the consumer. The final reason to choose a Honda Civic has to be its exemplar MPG for its class, both on the highway and off.