Best used-car deals
A late-model used car can be one of the best values you'll find when buying a car. With relatively low mileage, modern safety and convenience features, and usually a much lower price than similar new vehicles, these used cars are in the sweet spot of auto deals.
We've scoured through the used car options and put together this list of best deals on 2008-2012 vehicles in ten categories. Each of the vehicles featured are models recommended by Consumer Reports. In making these selections, we focused on models that show the greatest depreciation from their original retail price and their current value, then culled the list to just those vehicles that meet our stringent criteria to be Recommended, including good performance in our tests, average or above safety scores, and average or better reliability. For some car types, this may mean limited diversity in the recommendations, though in all cases, we have focused on balancing the quality of the deal and that of the vehicle.
See all current deals on recommended used vehicles. Continue your research by comparing ratings, reliability, reviews, fuel economy, performance, and much more (available to subscribers). For a list of the most reliable used cars covering ten model years, see our best and worst used cars report.
To get detailed pricing on a used car or for vehicle comparisons, subscribe to our ConsumerReports.org Cars Best Deals Plus and used car price reports.
Current price from the dealer $12,225 (original MSRP: $19,510)
The 2008 Honda Civic is refined and economical, with fairly nimble handling and a relatively comfortable ride. Fuel economy is 28 mpg overall for the EX with automatic transmission. Inside the seats are supportive and comfortable with a good driving position. Interior storage is generous but the trunk is modest. The Civic excelled in IIHS crash tests and reliability is excellent.
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Honda Civic |
66,000 |
$19,510 |
$12,225 |
37% |
2009 Subaru Impreza |
51,000 |
$18,495 |
$13,500 |
27% |
2010 Toyota Corolla |
40,000 |
$16,250 |
$12,125 |
25% |
2011 Volkswagen Golf |
22,000 |
$19,755 |
$16,050 |
19% |
2012 Honda Fit |
11,000 |
$17,910 |
$16,975 |
5% |
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Ford Fusion |
66,000 |
$18,135 |
$8,650 |
52% |
2009 Honda Accord |
51,000 |
$24,405 |
$15,825 |
35% |
2010 Mazda6 |
40,000 |
$26,600 |
$14,775 |
44% |
2011 Nissan Altima |
22,000 |
$22,060 |
$15,900 |
28% |
2012 Toyota Camry |
11,000 |
$22,600 |
$19,850 |
12% |
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Honda CR-V |
66,000 |
$24,150 |
$16,700 |
31% |
2009 Mitsubishi Outlander |
51,000 |
$21,980 |
$11,575 |
47% |
2010 Nissan Rogue |
40,000 |
$21,540 |
$16,500 |
23% |
2011 Kia Sportage |
22,000 |
$24,795 |
$21,450 |
13% |
2012 Subaru Forester |
11,000 |
$26,595 |
$23,925 |
10% |
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Acura MDX |
66,000 |
$40,195 |
$22,100 |
45% |
2009 Honda Pilot |
51,000 |
$30,495 |
$20,525 |
33% |
2010 Mazda CX-9 |
40,000 |
$30,205 |
$21,125 |
30% |
2011 Toyota Highlander |
22,000 |
$28,695 |
$25,750 |
10% |
2012 Toyota Venza |
11,000 |
$29,250 |
$27,250 |
7% |
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Scion xB |
66,000 |
$16,600 |
$11,100 |
33% |
2009 Pontiac Vibe |
51,000 |
$20,475 |
$10,125 |
51% |
2010 Toyota Matrix |
40,000 |
$17,510 |
$13,425 |
23% |
2011 Scion xB |
22,000 |
$16,950 |
$14,775 |
13% |
2012 Scion xB |
11,000 |
$17,250 |
$16,275 |
6% |
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Acura TSX |
66,000 |
$28,190 |
$15,975 |
43% |
2009 Infiniti G37 |
51,000 |
$33,250 |
$21,550 |
35% |
2010 Acura TL |
40,000 |
$35,105 |
$24,100 |
31% |
2011 Lexus ES 350 |
22,000 |
$36,725 |
$31,225 |
15% |
2012 Lincoln MKZ |
11,000 |
$36,535 |
$25,800 |
29% |
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Acura RL |
66,000 |
$46,280 |
$20,025 |
57% |
2009 Lexus GS 350 |
51,000 |
$46,950 |
$29,650 |
37% |
2010 Lexus LS 460 |
40,000 |
$68,250 |
$47,750 |
30% |
2011 Lexus GS 350 |
22,000 |
$48,850 |
$39,825 |
18% |
2012 Infiniti M37 |
11,000 |
$49,850 |
$43,025 |
14% |
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Toyota Sienna CE |
66,000 |
$24,490 |
$14,250 |
42% |
2009 Toyota Sienna LE |
51,000 |
$26,065 |
$17,050 |
35% |
2010 Toyota Sienna XLE |
40,000 |
$29,725 |
$24,025 |
19% |
2011 Toyota Sienna SE |
22,000 |
$30,850 |
$25,750 |
17% |
2012 Toyota Sienna LE |
11,000 |
$29,700 |
$25,350 |
15% |
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Honda Ridgeline |
66,000 |
$28,000 |
$17,125 |
39% |
2009 Toyota Tundra |
51,000 |
$29,215 |
$22,150 |
24% |
2010 Toyota Tacoma |
40,000 |
$19,130 |
$18,000 |
6% |
2011 Honda Ridgeline |
22,000 |
$31,605 |
$25,950 |
18% |
2012 Toyota Tacoma |
11,000 |
$22,105 |
$20,225 |
9% |
Vehicle |
Mileage |
MSRP When New |
Buying From Dealer Avg Price |
Drop In Retail Value vs. MSRP |
2008 Infiniti FX35 |
66,000 |
$39,550 |
$23,225 |
41% |
2009 Lexus RX 350 |
51,000 |
$39,100 |
$26,175 |
33% |
2010 Lexus GX 350 |
40,000 |
$51,970 |
$43,175 |
17% |
2011 Lexus RX 450h |
22,000 |
$46,325 |
$39,700 |
14% |
2012 Lexus RX 350 |
11,000 |
$40,475 |
$37,850 |
6% |
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