Underrated: 10 Affordable Cars That Go Unnoticed by Buyers in US

The global shortage of microchips has sent buyers flooding into the used car market. This "perfect storm" is why some used cars sell for more than the manufacturer's recommended retail price. However, even considering an overreacting market, you can choose a reliable car of an undervalued model at an affordable price.

Here is a list of affordable cars that often go unnoticed by buyers, even though they are not any worse that cars with a lot of hype around them.

1/10. Pontiac Vibe.

Years of manufacture: from 2003 to 2010

This now defunct American brand was not known for its reliability but the Vibe is an exception because it is, in fact, a copy of the Toyota Matrix. General Motors ran a collaboration with Toyota 2002 to 2010. And one of its fruits was the Vibe and Matrix - two affordable, compact and almost identical hatchbacks. By purchasing the Vibe, you get a Japanese car without paying the "Toyota tax".

2/10. Mazda 6.

Years of manufacture: 2002 till present.

Everyone knows about the Mazda 3, which is a direct competitor of Civics and Corollas. However, the slightly more powerful Mazda 6 is for some reason less popular in North America. Yes, the car has problems with sound insulation, a complicated chassis, and sedans are going out of fashion. It's no coincidence, however, that the Car and Driver magazine has picked the Mazda 6 as "Editor's Choice" and the king of mid-size sedans that are fun to drive every year since 2017.

3/10. Nissan Leaf.

Years of manufacture: 2011 till present.

Nissan cars have a reputation for being slightly less reliable and lower quality than other Japanese cars. But the all-electric Nissan Leaf is an exception to the rule. Ever since Consumer Reports published its first Nissan Leaf review, the car has consistently impressed with build quality, earning 4/5 or 5/5 stars for reliability. It’s true that new e-cars with better specs are appearing on the market, but a 3-5 year old Leaf will faithfully serve a city dweller for years to come.

4/10. Scion iA.

Years of manufacture: 2016.

Scion iA — настоящая жемчужина в груде реализуемого на автоаукционах хлама. Этот суббренд Toyota, продававшийся всего год, представляет собой переупакованную Mazda 2. То есть может похвастаться высочайшей надежностью, управляемостью и экономией топлива — и все это без шильдиков Toyota или Mazda, резко взвинчивающих цену. В Америке наконец-то начали понимать ценность этой машины, но все еще есть шанс купить iA недорого.

The Scion iA is a real gem among that can be found in the pile of junk sold at auto auctions. This sub-brand of Toyota that was on sale for just one year, is a repackaged Mazda 2, which means it boasts the highest level of reliability, handling and fuel efficiency - all without the Toyota or Mazda logo that would drastically inflate the price. America has finally begun to understand the value of this car but there is still a chance to buy iA on the cheap.

5/10. Scion iM.

Years of manufacture: 2016.

Like the iA, the iM is a repackaged Japanese car. iM shares its platform with the old Toyota Corolla hatchback. This is a reliable, compact car with low maintenance costs. Driving it is a little tiring but you can’t find a better car for the city and short distances drives.

6/10. Scion tC.

Years of manufacture: 2004-16.

With the Scion tC, you get a stylish vehicle from Toyota that is highly acclaimed for its reliability, agility and spacious back. The tC owners – the car is especially popular among young people – can not be happier with it since the car has no problems with spare parts. Among the cons is tC’s fuel consumption which is higher than that of its competitors.

7/10. Volkswagen Jetta TDI diesel.

Years of manufacture: 1980 till present.

U.S. regulators found that hundreds of thousands of Volkswagen diesel engine cars (including the Jetta TDI) were sold with a "safety device" that was used to bypass environmental regulations. The scandal that broke out did not go well for the brand's reputation. However, the Jetta TDI is still a high-tech and reliable car. In addition, the problem with emissions on most Volkswagen diesels has long been resolved.

8/10. Volkswagen Golf TDI.

Years of manufacture: 1974 till present.

The Golf TDI has also been involved in Dieselgate so consumers need to check the car's VIN and make sure the engine has been upgraded. Otherwise, the Golf TDI is, as MotorTrend accurately puts it, "the perfect balance of performance and efficiency."

9/10. Ford Focus (механика).

Years of manufacture: 2000 till present.

Ford found itself in a quandary after internal company documents were released in 2019 showing it was aware of the flaws in its PowerShift automatic transmissions – that is why we advise you to stay away from automatic Fiestas and Focuses. But the Focus with a manual transmission has established itself as a reliable and frisky car for daily driving and we highly recommend it.

10/10. Lincoln Town Car.

Years of manufacture: 1981-2011.

The Lincoln Town Car is a huge gas-guzzling luxury sedan that is reminiscent of the brand's golden days, when gas was cheap and cruisers were all the rage. Be that as it may, this luxury car is still reliable, comfortable and charismatic. Even if you delve deep into auto forums, you will find very few bad reviews about the Town Car.