Consumer Reports' best, worst used cars

Finding a reliable car for a reasonable price may seem difficult, but consumers willing to consider buying a used car may be in luck. Consumer Reports' latest survey results reveal that there are hundreds of used-car models that provide good reliability. Many can also be safe, fuel-efficient and affordable.

The report, featured in the April 2008 Annual Auto Issue and at consumerreports.org, identifies the best and worst used vehicles for the past 10 model years, 1998 through 2007, based on data from CR's 2007 Annual Car Reliability Survey, which drew responses on 1.3 million vehicles.

CR has found that improved reliability has made used cars more appealing in recent years.

Another bonus when buying a used vehicle is that depreciation, the biggest expense associated with buying a new car, is reduced. In addition, insurance tends to be less expensive.

CR'S "GOOD CHOICES"

These are categorized by price, from $4,000 to $30,000 and up. For consumers on a budget, CR found 30 cars that can be had for less than $4,000, including the 1998 Acura CL and 1999 Buick LeSabre.

"BEST OF THE BEST"

This list is derived from the "Good Choice" list and includes vehicles that had performed well in CR's road tests and have had several years of better-than-average reliability according to survey respondents. It features 66 models. Just a few examples: Toyota Prius, Lexus LS, Toyota Highlander, Lexus IS, Toyota RAV4, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Miata and Honda CR-V.

"WORST OF THE WORST"

Vehicles that have had multiple years of much-worse-than-average reliability earned a spot on this list. CR suggests steering clear of more than 30 models, including: Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn Relay, Land Rover Discovery and LR3, Volkswagen Touareg, Pontiac Aztek, Nissan Armada (four-wheel drive), Chevrolet S-10 (four-wheel drive), GMC S-15 (four-wheel drive), Chevrolet Blazer, Volkswagen Cabrio and Buick Rendezvous (all-wheel drive).

Best fuel economy

Overall mpg, based on CR's real-world fuel-economy tests. Best small cars: Toyota Prius (44) and Honda Civic Hybrid (37). Midsized and large sedans include Toyota Camry Hybrid (34), Nissan Altima Hybrid (32) and Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTec (29). Top SUVs: Toyota Highlander Hybrid (24), Lexus RX 400h (hybrid) (23) and Toyota RAV4 (four cylinder) (23).

Worst fuel economy

Cars that got the fewest miles per gallon in their categories. Small cars include: Honda Civic EX (manual) (31), Dodge Caliber R/T (all-wheel drive) (22) and Suzuki SX4 Sport (22). Midsized and large sedans: Mercury Grand Marquis LSE got only 16 miles to the gallon, and the Audi A8 L, Buick Lucerne CXS (V8), Cadillac DTS Luxury II and Dodge Charger R/T got 17.

CR identified seven SUVs that got 13 miles per gallon: Dodge Durango Limited, Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Commander Limited 5.7, Land Rover LR3 SE, Nissan Armada LE, Ford Expedition EL Eddie Bauer and Lincoln Navigator Ultimate.