Shopping for a used car is a huge undertaking even in normal circumstances, but now that used vehicle prices have soared? It feels like mission impossible.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a decent used car in your budget! It just means it takes a little more effort and planning than you might be used to. Here are some tips and tricks for getting a good quality used car at a reasonable price, as well as some of the best-used cars under 15K you can find in 2022.

Checking Your Finances and Doing Your Research

As with any big purchase, start with what you can afford – if your cash budget is $15,000, then $13,000 without tax and fees should be your max. Once you have your magic number, keep it in mind while looking online for used cars.

Take note of what car brands, vehicle sizes, and features you often see in your budget, and compare that information to what you want in a car. Used cars under 15K will start to have noticeable features, safety ratings, and reliability the more you research.

If what you want isn’t in your budget, it might be time to drop that particular feature or raise your budget limit. Or you might find something you thought you couldn’t afford fits in your budget. Knowing these things can help when it’s time to negotiate.

Tips for Negotiating Price

Speaking of negotiating, there’s still time before you sign to talk down the price. Here are a few tips that can help you get a good car within your budget:

Have more than one option when you go in – it’s good for negotiation if you’re looking at a similar car at another dealership. The dealer may be willing to go down on the price to get the sale.

Be honest but not forthcoming with information – car salespeople don’t need to know your stretch budget or how badly you need a car. Finances can be discussed after you’ve found the vehicle you want, not before.

Know the value of the vehicle you’re looking at – if Ford Fusions go for $10,000 online, but the one at this dealership is $15,000, be willing to walk away or demand a better deal.

Some of the Best Used Cars Under 15K

If you spend enough time checking what’s available and browsing the top 10 lists for affordable cars, you’ll see a lot of repeat vehicles. That’s because brands like Toyota and Honda are some of the most well-known for reliability, affordability, and availability.

To save you from searching, here are five of the best-used cars under 15K in 2022 that you’ll be likely to see online or as part of a dealership’s stock:

• Toyota Camry
• Honda Accord
• Honda Civic
• Mazda3
• Toyota Corolla