Good values in budget used cars

We write a lot about the latest and greatest cars, but let's face it: A lot of people don't want to commit to five years of monthly payments for a brand-new car. Still, everybody needs wheels - a cheap ride for college, a grocery-getter for the family, something for the daily commute. Needs vary, but lots of shoppers seem to want the same thing: a late-model, low-mileage car that's reliable, safe, and fuel-efficient. With surprising frequency, the intended budget runs somewhere around $10,000.

With that in mind, we crunched retail values for late-model used cars and factored in reliability ratings, safety equipment, and crash-test scores. Using those criteria, what began as a list of 215 contenders from 2002 onward shrank to 40 finalists. To pare things down further, we solicited our experts for opinions on each car - things like gas mileage, cabin comfort, and driving refinement.

As always, we recommend having any used car inspected by a trusted mechanic before you buy.

2005 Ford Focus The restyled 2005 Focus offers nimble handling with few of the equipment recalls that beset the early-2000s original. Teach your teen to drive a stick, and the Focus returns highway gas mileage in the 30s. Automatic versions drop into the high 20s. Frontal crash-test scores for the sedan are good, though we can't recommend the ZXW wagon, which hasn't been tested, or the ZX3 hatchback, whose side-impact scores give reason for concern. Expect to shell out around $10,500 for an entry-level ZX4 sedan with ABS, side air bags, a stick shift and 40,000 miles. Automatic transmissions add around $650. The sprightlier Focus ST can cost upward of $13,000.

2003 Ford Taurus Not quite the competitive new car in recent years, the Taurus is still a sound used-car choice for families and sensible - if not particularly trendsetting - young drivers. Both the wagon and sedan offer generous cabin and luggage space, not to mention top-notch reliability and crash-test scores. With ABS and side air bags, a Taurus sedan with 60,000 miles should run between $8,000 and $12,000. Similarly equipped wagons range from $10,500 to $12,000. Expect to fork over an extra $400 or so for the Duratec V-6.

2003 Mazda Protegé Those wary of Civic and Corolla homogeny should consider the Protegé. It's a fun little car, with Mazda's trademark handling performance and affable styling that has yet to grow old. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder is zippier than you'd think, and highway gas mileage rates in the high 20s. About one-fifth of all Protegés had both features. We like the Protegé's respectable marks for safety and reliability, though we can't recommend the Protegé5 hatchback, which hasn't been crash tested. With antilock brakes, side air bags and 60,000 miles, the no-frills DX trim should cost around $8,500 with a stick shift. The LX and ES models have more features and run between $9,500 and $10,500. Add around $600 if you want an automatic. The turbocharged Mazdaspeed Protegé commands close to $15,000.

2003 Mercury Sable This is one Merc you can easily afford. The Taurus' upscale twin offers slightly better reliability ratings and the same stalwart crash-test scores. Factor in standard antilock brakes and available side air bags - they were installed on nearly one-fifth of all '03 Sables - and you have a solid commuter car. As with the Taurus, the stronger Duratec V-6 is well worth the upgrade. With antilock brakes, side air bags and 60,000 miles, prices range from $9,000 to $11,500 for the Sable sedan; wagons should sell for $10,000 to $13,000.

2002 Buick LeSabre You don't need a Modern Maturity subscription to appreciate the LeSabre. It's a comfortable car for drivers young and old, and the '02 model came chock full of safety features: antilock brakes, side air bags, and active head restraints were standard, and there was an optional electronic stability system - a rare safety feature five years ago. Most models have a front bench seat, which expands capacity to six. Reliability and crash-test scores are impeccable. With 70,000 miles, a LeSabre Custom runs around $9,000. A well-appointed LeSabre Limited should cost about $12,000.

2002 Chevrolet Impala The Impala is Chevy's workaday sedan, and the 2000-05 iteration arguably boasted sharper styling than its anonymous successor. There's no four-cylinder, so overall gas mileage maxes out in the low-20s. The roomy cabin, good reliability ratings and even better crash-test scores make the Impala a sound choice for budget-minded families. Expect to pay around $9,000 for a base Impala with 70,000 miles, antilock brakes and the driver's side air bag. A fully loaded Impala LS is about $11,500.

2002 Ford Windstar Minivan lovers can fill the Windstar with up to seven people, and there are plenty of bells and whistles for those who want them - from power-sliding doors and rear parking sensors to power front seats and heated leather upholstery. A base Windstar LX with 70,000 miles and side air bags should cost around $7,500. That's a steal, considering the standard ABS, air conditioning, and power accessories. Better-equipped SE and SEL models run past $10,000, and a loaded Windstar Limited can cost upward of $15,000.

2002 Honda Accord The sixth generation, built from 1998 through 2002, delivered excellent reliability and respectable crash-test ratings. Combine the stick shift and four-cylinder for highway gas mileage in the high 20s; it drops to the mid-20s with the V-6 and automatic. A base DX sedan with 70,000 miles, a manual transmission, ABS, and side air bags should run just under $10,000; better-equipped LX and EX models will cost between $11,500 and $13,000. Cars with an automatic go for an extra $700 or so, and the V-6 can add $850 to $1,500.

2002 Honda Civic The Civic combines thriftiness and refinement in a way few others can, making it an excellent choice for those who often drive solo. The pint-sized four-cylinder won't impress any lead-footers, but it turns out highway gas mileage in the mid-30s. Crash-test scores are good, though reliability isn't quite as top-notch as the Accord's. With 70,000 miles, a basic DX sedan or coupe with side air bags, ABS, and a stick shift should fetch around $10,000. Better-equipped LX and EX models range from $11,000 to $12,000. Add about $550 if you want an automatic.

2002 Oldsmobile Aurora The Aurora is proof you can buy a used luxury car for around 10 large. The restyled early-2000s model earns high marks for reliability and crashworthiness. Most examples should have all the luxury you need; leather upholstery, a power driver's seat and automatic climate control came on all models, as did antilock brakes and side airbags. With 70,000 miles, well-equipped V-6 models can be had for under $11,000.