10 Cheap Cars That Won't Be A Maintenance Nightmare

In the car world, everybody is looking for a great deal. It doesn't matter if you're buying a sports car or an everyday crossover; we all want to be able to get the best car possible for the least amount of money, but sometimes, that's easier said than done. We ask a lot from our vehicles, and when you start looking at all the criteria a model needs to check off for you to take it home, often it costs a lot more than we're willing to spend.

Fortunately, there are deals out there, and they're not just on vehicles that are going to be a headache down the road. These are cars known for their long-term reliability, and despite their age, they should easily serve you well with only a reasonable amount of TLC. All of them can be purchased for around $10,000, too, so they're achievable even on a tight budget.

2014 Mazda3

2014 Mazda 3 front driving coast

• Average Price: $8,000– $12,000
• Engine Options: 2.0-liter I4, 2.5-liter I4
• Problems to Look Out For: Infotainment system freezing, minor rust spots, loose stabilizer bar links, control arm bushing wear.

The 2014 Mazda 3 is not only the newest model on this list but also likely one of the best to drive, thanks to a comprehensive overall redesign that debuted for the 2014 model year. After the clean break from Ford, the brand made the Mazda 3 in its likeness, resulting in a car that was lighter, stiffer, and more attractive than ever before.

You can directly trace the current models back to this, as it debuted the long noses and slick greenhouses that the Mazda 3 still uses to this day. Despite being the first model year for a new generation, the 2014 model has still received solid reviews, with many praising how well their cars drive to this day. Whether you opt for the 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter, if you find a model that's properly maintained, we have no doubt the car will still serve you well past 100,000 miles.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu

2008 - 2012 Chevrolet Malibu front

• Average Price: $7,500-$11,000
• Engine Options: 2.5-liter I4, 2.0-liter turbocharged I4, 2.4-liter I4 hybrid
• Problems to Look Out For: Weak alternators, power steering issues, and early transmission wear.

If you want an American midsize sedan that’s reliable and cheap to maintain, the 2013 Chevy Malibu is going to be a solid option for a few reasons. First, its design is inoffensive but also cleans up quite well on the higher trims. The interior was well-appointed for the time, but don't expect much in the way of rear passenger space.

Second, the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 with its 259 horsepower, modified steering rack, and improved dampers will pleasantly surprise in a curve. However, if you're looking for the utmost longevity, we'd have to point you in the direction of the 2.5-liter powerplant, which still delivers 197 hp but also a better 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The hybrid is better left alone, according to reviewers.

2013 Subaru Impreza

2012 Subaru Impreza - front 3/4 angle

• Average Price: $8,500-$12,000
• Engine: 2.0-liter Boxer 4 cylinder
• Problems to Look Out For: Head gasket issues (if neglected), CVT wear, weak battery life.

Everybody wants a WRX, but for most of us, it just isn't in the cards. However, if you want the AWD appeal in a tiny package that's still highly capable in your day-to-day, the regular Impreza will treat you just fine. The fourth-generation arrived in 2011, and it brought with it a larger interior, a more composed ride, and more Boxer goodness that could be paired with either a CVT or five-speed manual (the latter is preferred).

While these Imprezas are mostly solid, you'll really want to inspect the engine thoroughly for any oil leaks, as the head gaskets are an infamous issue if the car has been neglected. However, if that work has been done, or if it has plenty of service records, we have no doubt the Impreza will be a reliable daily for years.

2012 Toyota Corolla

2010 Toyota Corolla front 3/4

• Average Price: $9,000-$12,000
• Engine: 1.8-liter I4
• Problems to Look Out For: Check engine light due to the EVAP system, transmission issues at high mileage, and occasional water pump failure.

The 10th-gen Corolla is one of the safest bets in the used car market. Look, when a car is the best-selling nameplate of all time, it's doing something right, and that has to do with the vehicle's low price, legendary reliability, and no-nonsense design, among other things. We're not going to act like the Corolla is ever going to get your blood pumping (well, not in a good way, at least), but it will perfectly suit your active lifestyle and should treat you well for years with only routine maintenance, despite the newer and much more expensive models coming in even more reliable.

2012 Honda Civic

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Side

• Average Price: $9,500-$10,000
• Engines: 1.8-liter I4, 1.5-liter hybrid
• Problems to Look Out For: Cracked engine mounts, minor suspension noise, infotainment system problems.

If the Corolla is going to make it on this list, then you know the Civic is going to make it on too, and this is one of the times we'd actually say the Honda may be the better option. First, both of these cars are going to cost around the same, offer nearly the same features, and be generally uninspiring to drive.

However, the Civic is the better-looking of the two, in our opinion, and it has proven to be a little more reliable than the contemporary Corolla, too (but they're both still great). While we wish you could find the sporty Si version for around this price, that's probably not going to happen without crazy mileage, but you can find the hybrid version, which will return an incredible 44 city and 44 highway and keep those fuel costs impressively low. Just be careful because these systems will be much costlier to replace if they fail.

2012 Honda Fit

2012 Honda Fit Front 3_4

• Average Price: $7,500-$11,000
• Engine: 1.5-liter I4
• Problems to Look Out For: Fuel filler door getting stuck, A/C compressor failures, premature spark plug coil pack wear.

Journalists and reviewers have been praising the Honda Fit for years now, in part due to its low price and incredible practicality, but also because the model is surprisingly fun to drive. Its chassis is well-balanced and chuckable, and despite the engine only making 117 horsepower, the car is so small it can make the most of it. It's one of the few cars on this list we would recommend to an enthusiast on a budget, because with a few simple mods, it will make a great autocross vehicle and won't leave you stranded as long as you keep up with the maintenance.

2010 Toyota Camry

2010 - 2011 Toyota Camry front

• Average Price: ~$7,500-$10,000
• Engine: 2.5-liter I4, 3.5-liter V6
• Problems to Look Out For: Oil leaks from the valve cover gasket, check engine light from failed oxygen sensor, and occasional transmission hesitation.

Toyota’s reputation for bulletproof sedans is well-earned, and despite running into a few problems in the late 2000s, we still feel the 2010 Camry would be a great option for anyone looking for a vehicle they don't want to worry about. First, the model is pretty bland, but the interior space is great, particularly in the rear, and the car can be had with the respected 3.5-liter V6 if you want that extra passing power. The Camry is not really going to excite you, but it will get you from place to place in comfort and would excel as a commuter or as a car with a little more room for a growing family.

2009 Honda CR-V

2007 - 2009 Honda CR-V front 3/4

• Average Price: $11,000-$13,000
• Engine: 2.4-liter I4
• Problems to Look Out For: Rear differential fluid issues (AWD models), A/C compressor failures, and low oil consumption.

While we know this SUV does move a bit past our price range, we wanted to give you a model that was going to give you the best combination of comfort, reliability, and value, and the CR-V checks all of those boxes. Like many vehicles on this list, the car isn't going to excite, but what it will do is serve as a nearly perfect daily driver, perfect for a growing family with great interior space, plenty of room for storage, and decent fuel economy despite the slightly overwhelmed engine. Plus, the engine is known for its robustness, with many examples going hundreds of thousands of miles.

2009 Lincoln Town Car

silver 2009 - 2011 Lincoln Town Car sedan driving at speed

• Average Price: $7,000-$11,000
• Engine: 4.6-liter V8
• Problems to Look Out For: Air suspension compressor failure, intake manifold leaks, battery corrosion.

Alright, here is our wildcard option. Look, there really aren't many luxury vehicles that are going to check the box for being reliable and affordable, but the Lincoln Town Car does both, and you won't need to go back to 2000 to find one. An iconic Panther platform car like the Crown Victoria, it was known for being floaty, comfortable, and having just enough power to keep things interesting, and the Town Car body on top really exemplifies the first two. Is it going to feel dated? No doubt in our minds, but if you don't care what others think of you, you could easily have one of the best long-distance cruisers on the market and keep it going with mainly just your own elbow grease.

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2006-2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Rear Angle View

• Average Price: $9,000-$12,000
• Engine: 2.0-liter I4
• Problems to Look Out For: Soft top wear and leaks, rear suspension bushings, minor rust in snowy climates.

Finally, the undisputed most fun car on this list sits the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata, otherwise known as the NC generation. This was the period when the model first became modernized, with larger styling, a more comfortable interior, and slightly more horsepower than before.

While the looks aren't for everyone, the Miata still drove very well, and it offered a refinement that the previous generations simply didn't.

While a hardtop version is probably going to put the vehicle out of this price range, we say that's just fine because the soft top will be easier to maintain in the long run. Just make sure to focus on its quality when inspecting one, and keep your eye out for any rust in snowy climates. Otherwise, with routine maintenance, this vehicle should last you until you're able to recoup your investment and then some.