A guide to the best cars for first-time buyers: Affordable sticker prices and low cost of ownership.
When it comes to buying your first car, you'll have many options to consider. You want a car that gets good gas mileage, has plenty of room to meet your needs, looks great and comes with a price tag you can easily afford. The best cars for first-time buyers meet and exceed these standards, but they are not always easy to find. Many buyers choose to buy used cars the first time, but for the sake of comparison, let's look at the best models from the current year.
Ford Taurus SE
Ford is known as an American car maker, but its cars have the inner workings and reliability of foreign models. The Taurus is Ford's most popular sedan by far and is a great option for first-time buyers due to its overall efficiency and price. While the Taurus does not get great city mileage, the roomy backseat and engine reliability more than compensate.
The car is common enough that it is easy to find parts and repair technicians quickly and cheaply. The Taurus easily ranks as one of the best cars for first-time buyers for these reasons, and it's also one of the most affordable cars in its class.
Pros:
- Affordable
- 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V-6 engine
- Spacious seating
- Plenty of amenities
- Low repair costs
- Easy to find
Cons:
- Mileage: 19 city mpg
- Limited upholstery options
- No in-car navigational system
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE
The Toyota Camry is known as one of the most reliable and efficient economy cars on the market and is also the best-selling car in America. Toyota has a cult following in the world of cars, and consistently good safety ratings as well as good fuel economy make the brand popular for small families.
Although Toyota had a brief moment of controversy over possibly faulty accelerators, it was later determined that the floor mats rather than the car's mechanics were to blame. Since then, the company has more than restored its customers' trust, and you can rely on the Toyota Camry for great mileage, high safety ratings and a classic look. In fact, 90 percent of all Camry models sold within the last 10 years are still functional.
Pros:
- Premium leather
- 3.5-liter V-6 engine
- Mileage: 43 city mpg
Cons:
- Fairly expensive to repair
- Costly
- Few amenities
- No in-car navigational system
Honda Accord SE
The Honda Accord is another car that is known for its longevity, road performance and great safety ratings. Although it is not flashy on the outside, the Honda Accord SE compensates with an interior that is loaded with special features, including and luxury seating space.
Among the other best cars for first-time buyers, the Accord is a good middle ground if you want to get a car with great fuel economy in the city as well as on the highway without spending the extra money for a hybrid car. The cost of maintenance is also generally low due to the model's popularity.
Pros:
- Affordability
- Mileage: 27 city mpg
- Low repair costs
- Plenty of amenities
Cons:
- Prone to AC problems
- Standard exterior
Get price quotes on the best cars for first-time buyers!
Each of these car models falls within a reasonable pricing range for first-time buyers and meets the basic standards of reliability and safety. These are the best cars for first-time buyers because they are safe bets, meaning that if you decide to upgrade to a more extravagant car in the future, you will easily be able to resell your car. Learn more with Buyerlink.