Best Cars for Under $20000 (in Canadian $$)

[-DEADLY SUSHI-]

The best used vehicles for under $20,000

When shopping for a new car, $20,000 doesn't go very far these days. Among used vehicles, however, there are many very fine choices selling for far less than that. You can find well-equipped vehicles of nearly any size and configuration, from family sedans to sport-utility vehicles. The lists below identify our top choices. They did well in our tests when new and have shown above-average reliability. Models are grouped by price category and by brand within those categories. Prices are approximate, and can vary depending on the vehicle's equipment, condition, and region.

Less than $10,000

Acura Integra '96-98, TL '96
Chevrolet/Geo Prizm '96-02
Ford Escort '97-02
Honda Accord '96-98, Civic '96-00, CR-V '97-98, Odyssey '96, Prelude '96
Infiniti G20 '96, I30 '96-98
Isuzu Oasis '96-98
Lincoln Town Car '96-97
Mazda 626 '98-00, Millenia '96-98, Miata '96-97, Protegé '96-01
Mercury Tracer '97-99
Nissan Altima '96-00, Maxima '96-98, Pathfinder '96-97
Subaru Forester '98, Impreza '96-99, Legacy/Outback '96-98
Toyota Avalon '96-98, Camry '96-98, Celica '96-98, Corolla '96-02, Echo '00-02, RAV4 '96-99

$10,000-$14,000

Acura Integra '99-00, RL '96-97, TL '97-98
Buick Regal '00-02
Chrysler PT Cruiser '02
Honda Accord '99-00, Civic '01-02, CR-V '99-00, Odyssey '97-98, Prelude '97-99
Infiniti G20 '99-00, I30 '99, QX4 '97-98
Lexus ES300 '96-98
Lincoln Town Car '98-99
Mazda 626 '01-02, Millenia '99-00, MPV '00-01, Miata '99-00, Protegé '02-03
Nissan Altima '01, Maxima '99-00, Pathfinder '98-99
Subaru Forester '00, Impreza '00-01, Legacy/Outback '99-00
Toyota 4Runner '96-98, Avalon '99, Camry '99-01, Camry Solara '99, Celica '99-00, Corolla '03, RAV4 '00, Sienna '98-99

$14,000-$16,000

Acura Integra '01, RL '98, TL '99
Honda Accord '01, Civic '03, CR-V '01, Prelude '00
Infiniti G20 '01, QX4 '99
Lexus ES300 '99, GS300/GS400 '96, LS400 '96
Mazda Millenia '01, Miata '01-02
Nissan Maxima '01, Pathfinder '00
Subaru Forester '01, Impreza '02, Legacy/Outback '01
Toyota 4Runner '99, Camry Solara '00, Celica '01, Land Cruiser '96, RAV4 '01, Sienna '00, Tundra '00

$16,000-20,000

Acura RL '99, TL '00-01
Buick Regal '03
Honda Accord '02, CR-V '02, Odyssey '00, Prelude '01
Infiniti G20 '02, I30 '00-01, QX4 '00
Lexus ES300 '00, GS300/GS400 '98, LS400 '97-98, RX300 '99
Lincoln Town Car '00-01
Mazda Millenia '02, MPV '02, Miata '03
Nissan Altima '03, Maxima '02, Pathfinder '01
Toyota 4Runner '00, Avalon '00-01, Camry '02, Camry Solara '01-02, Celica '02, Land Cruiser '97, RAV4 '02, Sienna '01-02, Tundra '01

 

[masteraznchefjr]

you can get a brand new car for under 20K you just have to know how to bargin and go at the right time lol.

 

[nicole]

We only buy Chevy cars.. Joe works at GM, we get a good deal too.

 

[Bangbang]

I bought a 2005 Hyundai Accent a couple months ago and love it. It cost me 14,000.

 

[DampCharcoal]

$20,000 Canadian? Isn't that about $75 American? *running and hiding from Alix*

 

[Alix]

Alright MR! You are in BIG trouble!! You can't hide on this new board (OK, maybe you can!) I will find you and then tan your hide!

Just to add to that list of DS's. My Saturn SL1 was the most wonderful reliable vehicle we have ever owned. I HIGHLY recommend them. I just got my payout for it and they only gave me $6000 (Canadian!) for a '99 that we bought brand new. Soooo, this leads me to believe that you could get one pretty reasonably priced. The trick would be finding someone who wanted to part with it though.

 

[-DEADLY SUSHI-]

Damp shhhhhhhhhhh.......... she'll hear us!!!

 

[DampCharcoal]

Is the coast clear yet? Luv ya Alix!!!

 

[pdswife]

We bought our Chevy Impala in 2000 for 16,000. We still really like it. The only problem that we have with it is speed bumps. It bounces toooo much.