Best autos under $15,000

Lots of options for bad credit history customers

In our used car research from other sites, we found good recommendations for:
-- the Suzuki Forenza. A compact sedan, the 04 model got top reliability ratings from MSN Autos and can be found for $8,500 to $9,500 according to the Kelley Blue Book.
-- the 04 Chevy Malibu. That's the year it was redesigned and built off the same platform as the Saab 9-3; KBB says it'll set you back $11,000 to $12,000.
-- the Ford Focus. Thanks to European sales, for years this was the best-selling car in the world. Got solid crash ratings, and you can find an 05 in the $10,000 range.
-- the Chrysler PT Cruiser. You can find an 03 or 04 for around $10,000, and it gets top marks for long-term reliability.
-- And finally, the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Spectra. Remarkably similar cars and 05 models can be found around $10,000.

IN TERMS OF NEW CARS
-- the Kia Rio has a starting price around $11,000, stripped down, but the next level up includes power steering and air conditioning. It's a car known for its good handling and smooth ride.
-- the Nissan Versa. Surprisingly roomy inside and affordable at $12,550. It replaced the Sentra as the most affordable Nissan, but is taller and has more rear legroom.
-- the Suzuki Grand Vitara. We're surprised how often this SUV shows up in our research. New, it's just under $20,000 -- used you can find a 05 for around $12,000
-- The Pontiac Vibe, a compact wagon available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It did well in crash tests, and has a roomy interior thanks to fold-flat steering, and brand new, the MSRP is about $16,700. You can find an 04 for $11,250 to $12,800.

BOTTOM LINE
Things have never been better for bad credit history customers.
-- First, more Americans have credit dings than perfect credit, so dealers are getting more experience.
-- Haggling is at an all-time low. The entire Saturn chain is no-haggle, CarMax is no-haggle, dealers all across the country are turning to clear-price policies, and there's more than a million cars for sale today on the Internet. We happen to think the Internet is making dealers play nice.
-- And finally, electronically linked lenders now compete for your business. This is good news for you.

If you'd like to apply for a no-obligation auto loan, this link will take you to a form that takes only a minute to complete. The application will be handled by InterActive Financial, the operators of carloan.com and autoloan.com, and that's a company that's helped three million applicants with car loans since 1989. So go ahead. We have thousands of happy customers, you know..