Best Ways To Find A Vehicle Priced Under 12K

We all know that finding a new vehicle is hard enough, but it can become even more difficult when you’re considering a used vehicle that happens to be priced under 12K. Not only do you need to choose between different makes and models that fall under 12K, but with used vehicles, you need to consider other variables that you wouldn’t have to when looking for new vehicles. Things such as mileage, wear-and-tear, number of owners, prior maintenance, etc. can make the used car buying process, at times, feel overwhelming. Well, rest assured, there are many ways that can help make the used-car buying process as easy as possible. So, before you visit any other used car dealerships near you, let’s take a look at some easy tips and tricks that’ll drastically help you save time and energy when searching for your next used vehicle. We guarantee you won’t have to go beyond Orange Coast CDJRF to find the perfect new-to-you vehicle.

Used Car Buying Tips and Tricks

As you begin your search to find the right used vehicle, you may find it difficult and overwhelming to decide which make and model to choose, let alone the year, color, equipment packages, etc.

So, where does one start? Well, a really easy approach is to look at the car buying process from the top down. Let’s start with the biggest thing and then address the smaller things.

First, start by narrowing your search down by the type of vehicle you want. You’ll want to decide which type of vehicle suits your lifestyle needs and wishes. So maybe you pick a two-door coupe because you’re single and don’t need any extra room. Or maybe, you choose a full-size SUV because you need seating for seven people, but still want rugged styling. Whatever the reason, narrow it down before you start deciding on anything else.

Secondly, after you’ve chosen the type of vehicle, try to write down a list of features that matter most in a vehicle. It can be anything from the year of the vehicle, gas mileage, horsepower, reliability, crash ratings, drive type (front, rear or all-wheel drive), amenities (sunroof, leather, navigation system, etc.) to the warranty.

So, now that you know the type of vehicle and features you want, you can see it’s much easier to get a list of makes and models that fit that criteria.

Now, thirdly, you’ll need to go to a vehicle search engine website to input the vehicle type and features criteria into. We’d suggest trying out Kelley Blue Book. There are others too, but whichever you use, do an advanced search and check out the different kinds of models that could fit your needs. Don’t lock yourself into one vehicle; by the time you get to the dealership, you might be directed to a model you never thought of or saw in your search.

However, if at this point of the search you feel the need to narrow it down even more, you can do a separate online search (Google/Bing etc.) for comparison reviews on the type of vehicle you’ve already determined you want.

This should give you more detailed comparison and reviews on the best models for the type of vehicle you’re looking for. Perhaps you read a review or two, and you happen to like a few different makes and models. Maybe you’re having trouble deciding between 2-4 makes and models (or maybe more).

Well, at this point, we’d then recommend coming down to our dealership and looking at those models in person. Or, if you’ve narrowed it down enough to know what you need but maybe not what you want, we’ll also help you figure it out.

Visiting the Dealership

Now is the time to visit the dealership. Now that you have your research down, you’ve narrowed down your search, and you have an idea of what to expect, comes the fun part. Take your time here, test drive as many models as you’d like, and ask plenty of questions. When it comes to buying a car, you are making a big commitment; we want you to feel confident in your decision and happy when you drive off the lot in your new model.

Here Are Some Top Picks for Used Cars Under 12K

At Orange Coast, we see a lot of makes and a lot of models on our used car lot. Here is a list of some of the best used vehicles that, we believe, give you the best bang for your buck that we’ve seen hit our lot before. Our top overall picks for overall value are based on resale value, cost of ownership, reliability, and other features.

Subcompact/Compact – Kia Rio (2012-2018)

Starting with the subcompact, we recommend the Kia Rio. Why? Because this car offers the following for under 12K:

• Subcompact Dimensions
• Seating for 5
• 28 City/37 Highway MPG
• Front-Wheel Drive
• 130 Horsepower
• Low Cost of Ownership ~$4,200 per year (includes gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance)
• High-Reliability Rating (4.5 out of 5 stars by J.D. Power)
• High Safety Rating (Top Safety Pick+ by The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

Keep in mind that the 2012-2017 models are unchanged in body style. However, we’d recommend the 2018 model, if possible, because of its refreshed body style and newer technology perks, such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Mid-Size Sedan – Hyundai Sonata (2015-2018)

If you’re looking for something big enough for a family or just want a sedan with more room that doesn’t break the bank, we recommend the Hyundai Sonata. Why? Because this car offers the following for under 12K:

• Midsize Dimensions
• Seating for 5
• 22 City/28 Highway MPG
• Front-Wheel Drive
• 178-245 Horsepower
• Low Cost of Ownership ~$4,500 per year (includes gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance)
• High-Reliability Rating (4 out of 5 stars by J.D. Power)
• High Safety Rating Front/Side (5 out of 5 stars by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Keep in mind that the 2015-2018 models are unchanged in body style. However, we’d recommend the 2016 and above, if possible, because of the standard 7-inch display screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as the standard rearview camera.

Compact SUV – Chevrolet Equinox (2015-2017)

If you’re looking for something a bit larger to fit the family and some camping or sports equipment, we recommend a used Chevy Equinox. There are tons of great features, and again, it is very affordable. Here’s what you can expect:

• Compact Dimensions
• Seating for 5
• 22 City/32 Highway MPG
• Front-Wheel Drive
• All-Wheel Drive
• 182-301 Horsepower
• Low Cost of Ownership ~$4,900 per year (includes gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance)
• High-Reliability Rating (5 out of 5 stars by J.D. Power)
• High Safety Rating Front/Side (4 out of 5 stars by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Keep in mind that starting in 2015 models, a Wi-Fi hotspot became a nice standard feature. The Equinox also has the highest reliability rating of 5 stars. And although the body style remained unchanged from 2015-2017, we’d recommend, if possible, the 2016 and above because of the standard 7-inch display screen. The 2016 models also had optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert available.

Shopping At Orange Coast CJDRF

When you are ready to find a used car for under 12K, look no further than Orange Coast CJDRF. We would love to help you narrow down your search to the perfect vehicle for you. We will also help you find the perfect auto loan that meets your budgetary needs and you can come back to us for your vehicle’s maintenance further down the line.