Ford For most young people and their parents, buying a first car is a significant step. One great solution is to look at used cars, which could frequently be had for a fraction of the cost of brand-new versions. We came up with 15 used automobiles we think are the very best for the young car buyer on a budget. To make our record, we focused on automobiles that are available on the market today for under $15,000. We looked for ones that are dependable, fun to drive, comfortable, attractive, economical, functional, and first and foremost, secure. For security, we checked the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) moderate front Door crash test ratings for the automobiles we picked. Prices are based on present costs on Autotrader.com and reflect the lowest price we think a decent example may cost.