In Less Than a Year You’ll Regret Not Buying One of These 25 Low-Priced Cars

Buying a car is more expensive than ever — but sometimes you have no choice. If you need to buy a car right now and want to make sure to get the best bang for your buck, we understand. And we have answers.

GOBankingRates spoke with automotive experts to uncover some hidden gems in the car market. Here are 25 low-priced cars that you’ll regret not buying .

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Ford Ranger

• Start at: $34,315

Chris Pyle, auto expert at JustAnswer , recommended the Ford Ranger as a reliable auto option that’s likely going to hold its value. “They are great little trucks that can take a beating and they continue to run,” he said. “If you do not tow too much or haul too much, these trucks can easily hit 300,000 [in mileage].”

Be Aware: These 10 Used Cars Will Last Longer Than an Average New Vehicle

Nissan Versa

• Start at: $16,600

Looking for something more compact? Pyle recommended the Nissan Versa. “It is small but they rarely fail and get great [miles per gallon] (MPG). If you just need a car for yourself or your family to put a lot of highway miles on. This would be the car to look into,” he said.

Chevy Malibu

• Start at: $26,995

For people who need more space, there’s the Chevy Malibu. “It has been around a long time and just keeps getting better,” Pyle said, who explained it’s both very trustworthy and also a great car for larger or taller people.

Kia Forte

• Start at: $21,145

Don’t overlook the Kia Forte. “The engine and transaxle are there for the long run,” Pyle said. “Stay on top of the fluids and filters. You will likely pass it down to your kids with it still running like new.” A very good deal, especially at a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $21,145.

Honda Accord/Toyota Camry

• Honda Accords start at: $27,895
• Toyota Camrys start at: $28,400

These two need little introduction. Pyle simply said “There is not much to say. Everyone knows these cars just keep going and going.”

Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute

• Ford Escapes start at: $27,995
• Mercury Mariners start at: $23,560
• Mazda Tributes start at: $31,990

Pyle recommended this trio of SUVs — he said they’re all basically “the same SUV.” He shares that they have the leg and headroom like a truck. He adds that they’re all easy to get in and out of and have decent cargo area.

To sum it up, they’re comfortable rides, get good fuel mileage and repairs are reasonable.

Ford Super Duty 7.3 Diesel

• Start at: $51,105

For those needing more power, Pyle suggested this powerhouse. “If you need a workhorse without all that emissions junk, this is the one,” he said. “A well-taken-care-of 7.3 can go beyond 300,000 [miles] while towing 12,000 or more [pounds] behind it, 100% of the time.”

As far as used cars are concerned, there are also quite a few good buys on the market. Here are some notable ones below.

Ford Fiesta ST

• Price varies

“While everyone is going nuts about the Ford Focus ST, the Fiesta ST is often a forgotten and undervalued option, which can be extremely fun and rise in value in the future,” said Evaldas Zabitis, automotive expert at carVertical .

He said you should look for unmodified examples with low mileage.

Honda S2000

“Even though the S2000 is considered one of the most reliable and best-handling sports cars, its value isn’t skyrocketing,” Zabitis said.

You can find decent examples for less than $15,000, but act fast as the selection is shrinking.

Jaguar XJR (308)

Zabitis described this as “a proper British rear-wheel-drive beast with a supercharged V8 that produces 370 horsepower.”

Available for as low as $5,000, its value is already growing, especially for rust-free examples.

BMW Z3 M

“The Z3 M is one of the cheapest BMW M-Series models you can buy today, but it’s also exceptional,” Zabitis said.

With its unique design and excellent performance, you can find decent Z3 M cars for less than $20,000.

Toyota MR2

Zabitis explained, “The MR2 is a mid-engined roadster with a tiny trunk, so it’s not for everyone.”

That said, if you want a car with a dependable platform for a project or just a car for weekends, the MR2 is worth looking into.

Even More Used Cars

The AI Auto Expert at AutoEasy.com , founded by Daniel Yuabov, says that keeping an eye out for these used models is a great bet right now:

• 1984 Nissan 300ZX Z31: A classic sports car gaining popularity.
• 1995 Lexus LS400: A luxury sedan known for reliability and comfort.
• 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI: The original “hot hatch” with growing collector appeal.
• 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT: A mid-engine sports car with a cult following.
• 1997 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV: A performance car with rally heritage.
• 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL: A timeless luxury roadster.
• 1989 BMW E34 M5: A high-performance sedan with historical significance.
• 2000 Honda S2000: A beloved roadster known for its high-revving engine.
• 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: A modern muscle car with limited production numbers.
• 1995 Mazda RX-7: An iconic sports car with a unique rotary engine.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : In Less Than a Year You’ll Regret Not Buying One of These 25 Low-Priced Cars