Kelley Blue Book: Ford, Toyota shine among best used cars under $8,000

With the average price of a new car in the United States now surpassing $30,000, used vehicles are increasingly popular. Kelley Blue Book is good at most things car-related, including price and analysis of new and used cars. And it has a new list of best buys among used cars that cost less than $8,000.

The list is varied and includes vehicles with model years from 2002 to 2008 and with prices approximately 20 to 25 percent of the average cost of new car.

Kelley Blue Book reports the cars on the list have “the most appealing mixes of reliability, versatility and desirability, with an emphasis on track record.”

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The Weekly Driver reviewed only two of the cars on the list, so it’s hard to assess KBB’s recommendations. But who’s to argue?

We’ll take a look at selected cars on the list and include parts of the reviews from The Weekly Driver, when available.

Ford and Toyota each have two vehicles on the list of KBB’s best used cars under $8,000.

Here’s the list, beginning with the least expensive.

2002 Toyota Tundra Standard Cab, $5,925

2002 Infiniti G20, $5,965

2002 Toyota Corolla, $6,125

2003 Mazda Protege5, $7,360.

2003 Ford Escape, $7,560

2004 Pontiac Vibe, $7,630

2004 Scion xA, $7,805

2008 Kia Rio, $7,895

2004 Honda Civic, $7,970

2004 Ford Crown Victoria, $7,970

To read the full report, visit: Kelley Blue Book Used Cars