We’d all love to be able to justify dropping hundreds of thousands of dollars on our daily transport, but in reality, the vast majority of us are on a pretty tight budget. But the good news is, there are some awesome cars out there for under $10 grand.
Now, we’re going to do this list a little differently. Rather than have these cars as place-getters, we’re going to split the list up into categories. So 5th will be our pick for smallish cars under 10 grand, 4th is larger cars, 3rd is Medium-ish SUVs, 2nd is Large SUVs/off-roaders and finally, 1st is something a little more luxurious and performance-oriented
5. Small Car – Mazda 3 (2nd gen BL, 2008 – 2013)
In fifth place, taking out the smallish car segment, it’s the Mazda 3.
Here in Australia, 10 grand should get you into a second-generation 2008 to 2013 Mazda 3 and the trim level we’d go for is the SP25.
The 2.5-litre SP25 offers more power, torque and engaging driving dynamics than its smaller displacement siblings and even though an SP25 at this price will probably have well over 100,000kms on it, as long as it has a solid service history and has been cared for, should provide years of reliable motoring.
Plus, the SP25 is supremely practical, in both hatch and sedan body styles have a stylish interior for this price, especially in the SP25 trim looks great with its subtle body kit and alloy wheels.
4. Large Car – Honda Accord (8th-gen 2008 – 2015)
In fourth place, taking out the larger car segment, it’s the Honda Accord.
For the $10,000 budget, we’d recommend looking at 8th-generation Honda Accords from 2008 to 2015. In the US, this was actually called an Acura TSX.
This generation Accord is superb to drive, totally practical, it looks fantastic and the interior is aging really well both in terms of design and fit and finish.
Plus being a Honda, has excellent build quality and as long as it has been serviced and maintained correctly, should be incredibly reliable.
Plus, if you’re enthusiastic about your driving, they can be had with a manual transmission, lovely.
3. Med SUV – Toyota RAV4 (3rd Gen XA30 2006 – 2012)
This next category feels like it’s taking over the world, it’s the medium-ish SUV and our pick is arguably the name plate that started it all, it’s the Toyota RAV4.
For the $10,000 budget, the RAV4 you’ll be looking at is the 3rd-gen, 2006 to 2012 and the trim levels we’d recommend is either the 4-cylinder Cruiser spec or, if you can find one, the 6-cylinder CV6 spec.
While it might be tempting to spec up to the leather-lined models, we’re finding the fabric trim interiors on the lower spec models are standing the tests of time a little better, and even though all RAV4s at this price point will have loads of kilometres on them, mechanically, as long as they have a thorough service history, should provide years of trouble free motoring.
2. Large SUV/Off-Road – Mitsubishi Pajero (NM 1999 – 2006)
Next up we have large SUVs/off-roader and this was tough one because there are actually a few vehicles that are all excellent for this category.
But we’ve decided to go with a vehicle we feel is really underrated, it’s the Mitsubishi Pajero, or Montero or Shogun.
Here in Australia, for $10,000, you’ll be looking at 3rd-gen, 1999 to 2006 Pajeros and yes, chances are they’ll have loads of kilometres on them and they might not be in pristine condition.
But look, as long as they have a solid service history, haven’t been abused, you should end up with a great buy for this budget.
The Pajero is more of a grand tourer than a true rock crawler but with some intelligent mods, these things can eat up kilometres as well as tackling some seriously tough terrain plus they’re really spacious, offer loads of practicality and are available as 7-seaters.
1. Fun/Performance/Luxury – Lexus IS250 (2005 – 2013)
Finally, taking out the luxury slash fun slash performance category, it’s the Lexus IS250.
Here in Australia, 10 grand should get you behind the wheel of a second-generation 2005 to around about 2009 IS250.
Ok yes, there are better outright performance cars available for under 10 grand but, we feel the IS250 perfectly blends luxury and sophistication with genuine practicality, really good levels of safety, excellent driving dynamics and a genuinely respectable amount of performance.
Plus being a Lexus, it should be ultra reliable, beautifully built and at under 10 grand, offers so much car for the money.
We’ve reviewed versions of the Lexus IS, Mitsubishi Pajero, Honda Accord, Toyota RAV4 and Mazda 3.
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NOTE: This article was originally published in July 2021, so some pricing information may have changed.
