The 5 Best Do-Everything Cars Under $10,000

February 19, 2024

Whether you are trying to buy your first car at 16, graduating college with student debt, or just trying to get a new (used) car on a budget, it can be super overwhelming to identify the right automobile. Based on my experience, I'm going to outline what I feel like are the best "Do-Everything" car for $10,000 or less.

Before I begin, here's how I define "Do-Everything:"

• Reliable(ish): not every car is made the same and some are more reliable than others. To be reliable in my sense, the car should be able to start every day without a potentially catastrophic fear looming in the back of your mind. The ideal "Do-Everything" vehicle should be reliable enough to call your daily vehicle without second-guessing
  
  
• Utilitarian: a "Do-Everything" vehicle should be capable of suiting your daily needs. For example, if you are off-roading up a mountain in winter time with snow, it's probably not the best idea to own a Kia Forte
  
  
• Fun: A "Do-Everything" vehicle doesn't have to be boring; they just usually are. My examples will do what they can to break that mold!
  
  
• Community/Aftermarket Availability: let's be honest, who doesn't want to modify their car in at least some capacity. Whether it's a new set of tires or a crazy turbo setup, there's always great opportunity to inevitably ruin a car with the false pretense of making it potentially better
  
  
• Unique: everyone wants to be a little different from the crowd and stick out in some way, shape or form

Additionally, my listed examples (like my last post) will be based on sold listing from Cars&Bids. This will shows that vehicles actually sold for these prices and that I'm not just throwing around hypothetical prices.

1. The Modern, American Ute - Subaru Baja

The Subaru Baja has always had a special place in my heart (and in most others for that matter). How many cars can tow nearly 2,500lbs, allow for a motorcycle to go in the bed, hold their own on mild trail driving with a decent set of tires, and claim to be a ute sold in America? I think that honor would solely go to the Subaru Baja.

This Subaru Baja sold for a mere $7,500. It has the manual transmission, under 150,000 miles, and is the non-turbo motor. If you're buying a mid-2000's Subaru product, you're probably best taking a less complex, non-turbo motor.

With the money that you are saving, we can briefly discuss reliability and the $2,500 that you will need to go ahead and spend on the head-gasket that will inevitably fail in the next 50k miles. The other big-ticket item on these Baja's is their resistance to rust; it's VERY bad. If you don't believe me, please check various places on the internet including Hoovie's Garage

In terms of a usable, all-around, daily vehicle. The Subaru Baja is genuinely one of the hardest to beat vehicles made in the modern age. I believe that the prices on these will begin trickling up in the near future (like the Subaru Brat of yesteryear).

2. The Tuner Hot-Hatch - Ford Focus ST

While rear-wheel drive sportscars are generally all the rage, the fun and utility of a hot-hatch is undeniably awesome. The Ford Focus ST captures this hot-hatch persona better than maybe any of its competitors in the modern era because of its power (252 horsepower & 270ft/lbs of torque), driving dynamics (one of the most fun cars of its time), and interior use of space with technology. If you don't believe me on the fun of this vehicle, check out many of the videos available on YouTube including this one by the Straight Pipes.

This 2013 Ford Focus ST is a first model year, but nonetheless is an incredible bargain! This example had 129k miles and the optional ST3 package. When looking at Focus ST's, the ST3 package is what you're looking for as it comes with updated wheels, sunroof, and Recaro seats.

In terms of reliability, the Ford Focus ST is generally pretty good. They do have few potential issues (turbos at high miles, lug nuts, wheel bearings), but are not known for catastrophic failures unless you are trying to push boost with a tune. When looking for an ST, don't buy one from a 16-year old (or 18-year old that was the 16-year old); look for one that has been adult-owned as its worth its weight in gold.

I will also note that the Ford Fiesta ST (like this one) of similar years is also a great car, however it's a bit on the smaller side. If you prefer even lighter weight and cheaper, smaller interiors, then the Fiesta ST may be an even better option for you. I do feel like the Focus ST is better equipped for doing everything though, including being an ideal daily driver.

3. The Not So Common Off-Roader - Isuzu VehiCROSS

So you want need a vehicle with decent ground clearance, strong off-road prowess, and don't want to look like a Toyota/Jeep fanboy on a day-to-day basis while still sticking out? Well, look no further than the often forgotten Isuzu VehiCROSS. Beyond its strange aesthetics, the VehiCROSS actually offers a good bargain to potential buyers.

• It could tow 5,000lbs with its General Motors (GM) 3.5L V6 putting down 215 horsepower and 230ft/lbs of torque. 
  
  
• The four-wheel drive system was also years ahead of its time in terms of engineering leveraging sensors and brake actuation (like modern Crawl Control in Toyota products) called Torque on Demand. For more information on Torque on Demand system, check here.
  
  
• A 2+2 setup on the interior similar to that of a Wrangler and easily capable of carrying 4 people. The VehiCROSS also has about 70% of the trunk capacity as similar Japanese SUV's of the era (4Runner/Pathfinder)

I am not the only person to have recognized the VehiCROSS as being an inexpensive, unique and capable car. Here's one such example from the TFL Off-Road YouTube channel:

This Isuzu VehiCROSS sold on Cars&Bids for $8,700 with just under 140,000 miles. The VehiCROSS was optioned with the optional four-wheel drive system (mentioned above) and two-tone red/black seats. It was also completely un-modified making it the perfect baseline to build on.

Look at that great 1990's interior!

In terms of reliability, the VehiCROSS is actually a pretty good car without too many major issues. This is primarily because the drivetrain is just the 3.5L drivetrain originally developed by General Motors and used in several Isuzu products including the Trooper and Rodeo. If you're trying to have a capable car that can be daily-driven plus handle everything in the world you could throw at it, the VehiCROSS is an awesome option.

4. The Understated, Reliable Luxury Car - Lexus IS300

I couldn't make a list that didn't have a Toyota/Lexus product on it. The Lexus IS300 is a car of extremes: the car community that loves it and the non-car community that hates it. I (like most car enthusiasts) fall in the prior group. Here were some of the key pro's:

• 2JZ 3.0L inline 6-cylinder motor. Yes, you read that correctly. This is the largely same motor that came in the legendary Toyota Supra, albeit the turbocharged variant was really the pinnacle of tuning excellence. This engine and associated drivetrain are near bulletproof and inexpensive to operate.
  
  
• There was a wagon variant called the Sport Cross that was "more rare than the Ferrari F-40" due to its super-low production numbers. How low you may ask? Less than 2,000 total were made (1,958 to be exact).
  
  
• 5-speed manual transmission was available! Sadly the Sport Cross variant was never available with a manual transmission, but that hasn't stopped the community from making it happen!
  

Generally people in the non-car community hate on the IS300 for its now "dated" look. To some (including myself), I find it to be timeless in its design but can see where people would bash it for its aesthetics.

This 2003 Lexus IS300 is a solid example for a mere $7,700 with only 100,000 miles. While it is not the rare Sport Cross variant, it is a 5-speed manual transmission. For a car that is nearly 30 years old, the entire car is in fantastic shape and just shows how well these old Toyota's hold up to the years and miles.

The IS300 is a relatively small car, but that isn't a bad thing because it's relatively lightweight and engaging to drive. As mentioned above, reliability is not going to be a problem. The IS300 is the perfect choice if you're commuting to an office and seeking comfort in doing so. 

5. The Grandparent-Spec, American Daily - Cadillac CTS Wagon

General Motors (GM) made plenty of questionable decisions throughout the 90's and 2000's leading to the demise of Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Hummer (since returned) as they filed bankruptcy in 2009. Through GM's bankruptcy, many interesting decisions that were made, including giving a green-light to a luxurious Cadillac CTS wagon with a supercharged 6.2 liter V8 producing 556 horsepower from the Corvette mated to a 6-speed manual. If you think I just identified the BEST car for sub-$10,000 car enthusiasts you would be sadly incorrect, but you're not too far off... Don't believe me on how good the CTS-V wagon is? Here is Car & Driver's Longterm Review of the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V wagon.

So why is this not the best car available for sub-$10,000 you may ask? Well, that's because the CTS-V wagon with a 6-speed manual is about a $60,000-$80,000 car depending on miles and condition. The caveat is that the same car is available with a reliable V6 (3.6L), an automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive creating a near-perfect daily car that is comfortable, sporty, and large enough for most tasks. That's where this example falls into place.

This 2013 Cadillac CTS wagon example has 150,000 miles, but serves as a great example of this era for GM. Sure it has some interior plastics that could be better and potentially a few more rattles than its Japanese counterparts, but every car guy recognizes the CTS wagon for what the CTS-V did for the automotive community. For sub-$10,000, this is probably the best available daily vehicle around that offers anything and everything you could want while still having a solid state of reliability.

I will admit that as this car ages, the design does look slightly hearse-like. Is this a bad thing? Not if you have a morbid sense of humor...

Now that we have explored the best available vehicles (in my opinion) that have sold for sub-$10,000 on Cars & Bids, what are your thoughts? What do you feel is the best car available for sub-$10,000? If you enjoy this type of article check out My Perfect Garage for $85,000. Additionally, my next post will dive into my Miata's engine swap adventure...