For consumers looking for used cars we've found some great little "really" used cars, reliable, fun to drive, and easy on the gas, more bang for your buck, for under 3K.
Most used car reviews limit their scope to vehicles that are a few years old thus eliminating a whole field of contenders, the older little 4 cylinders that are still fun to drive, reliable, and save on gas. The cars we looked are older but can still compete with their newer counterparts and are a lot cheaper to buy. Not only are these cars affordable but they can also mean a lower cost to operate, especially insurance-wise. We used our favorite resource, consumer reviews from people who have actually owned/driven the car or from cars we've driven or owned ourselves.
1995 - 1997 Subaru Impreza Hatchback or Sedan
Owners of Subaru's little all-wheel-drive Impreza in either the hatchback or sedan made from 1995- 97 consistently give the car high marks for reliability, fun-to-drive, fuel economy, and build quality. The car gets an estimated 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. It has a solid 3.5 green rating for greenhouse gas emissions and an added plus for those who have to face hazardous winter driving conditions is the all-wheel-drive.
1995- 1997 Subaru Legacy
Another Subaru gets top marks from its owner, the all-wheel drive Legacy. The car gets an estimated 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Like the Impreza the Legacy ranks a respectful 3.5 in greenhouse gas emissions.
1993 - 1996 Honda Civic
The name Honda is synonymous with quality and these older Civics are no exception. Owners rate their Civics are being reliable, high in quality, fun-to-drive, and great fuel mileage. Civics get an estimated 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
1993-1996 Honda Accord
Like the Honda Civic, the Accord has the same rating by owners who consistently scored them high in reliability, quality build, fun-to-drive, and good fuel mileage. The estimated mpg is 22 city and 29 highway with a 3.5 in annual greenhouse gas emissions.
1993-1995 Acura Integra
The sporty little Integra has garnered high marks from it's owners who rank the older Integras as being high in quality build, reliability, fun-to-drive, with an estimated 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
1995- 1998 Mazda Protege
The sporty little Protege has won the hearts and minds of many of car owners who desire an economical, reliable car with good gas mileage. The 5 sp.manual is listed at 23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with a 3.5 greenhouse gas emission rating.
1994 - 1996 Toyota Celica
Owners of the older Celica love their car. They consistently give it high marks, praising its fu-to-drive, fuel economy, reliability, and build quality. The estimated mpg is 25 city and 31 highway with a 3.5 in greenhouse gas emissions.
Source - Fuel economy.gov
Source - Edmunds