It's graduation season, and that probably means a lot of things for you and your family. If you're a parent, watching your child cross the stage and exit into the world as a young adult is a proud and emotional moment. You might even feel so inclined as to reward your offspring for his academic achievements – handsomely. If you're the graduate, you're probably thinking you deserve the same thing. As it so often happens on graduation days, this mutual feeling of accomplishment between parent and graduate may materialize itself in the form of a car. If Junior hasn't asked for a set of wheels yet, he probably will, so you might as well be prepared.
"Your grad doesn't need a brand new sports car."
That said, and as much as you may want to reward your graduate, you don't need to empty your savings account to buy him a brand new sports car. Instead, consider shopping for a used vehicle – one with decent mileage, safety features and style that will still keep your graduate safe while he rides in style. To help you out, we've compiled a list of our 10 favorite used cars under $10,000 – some that maximize safety features and gas mileage, others that Junior will just love.
1. 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
The VW Rabbit is the German automaker's replacement for the Golf. Sporty in style and feel with a great interior, this hatchback is a versatile and appealing option for college-bound high school grads. It was in Consumer Reports' top three list of small cars in this price range, and we're placing it at the top of our list. Yes, it's a compact car, but it holds the 2009 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Not to mention it gets 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
2. 2005 BMW
It almost goes without saying that this would be a great gift for your grad – it's a Beemer. Every teenager dreams of driving a BMW someday, so maybe you can make that dream a reality on graduation day without breaking the bank. This model has a quick V-6 engine and a luxurious interior. It gets 25 mpg on the highway and has electronic stability control to help keep Junior on the road. Did we mention you can pick this BMW up for less than $10,000?
3. 2005 Acura TL
Luxury and sport combine to offer you this affordable sedan. It comes with curtain airbags and carries a 4.6-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Loaded with a V-6, it gets 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Fuel-efficient and stylish, this one's a no-brainer.
4. 2008 Mazda 3
Consumer Reports said "this car has everything most shoppers want in a small car," and we tend to agree. Comfortable seats, sleek interior design and a choice between a hatchback and sedan make this a perfect car for a recent grad. It gets 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, and Kelley Blue Book reported that the sport-model Mazda 3s from 2008 were all equipped with side-impact and side-curtain airbags, making them safer than previous versions.
5. 2008 Pontiac Vibe
This spacious and stylish wagon has a 115-volt outlet on the console and plenty of cargo space, making it a perfect fit for active and adventurous youth. It's great on gas at 33 mpg on the highway and carries a five-star overall driver and passenger front impact safety rating from the NHTSA.
The mutual feeling of accomplishment between parent and grad may materialize itself in the form of a car.6. 2005 Honda Pilot
Yahoo! Autos called the Pilot the best combination of a "wagon, SUV and minivan." The Pilot is enormous – it's capable of seating eight people and the seats are adjustable to make room for plenty of cargo. With a powerful V-6 engine and four-wheel drive, the Pilot will take your graduate just about anywhere he wants to go – all with an average 27 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city. The NHTSA gave the 2005 Pilot a five-star crash rating and four stars for the rollover test.
7. 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Outlander is a sporty SUV with a third seat option for optimal seating and a 30 gigabyte hard drive for on-board navigation and other technologies. Your grad can store up to 6 GB of music on this bad boy, and with a five-star crash rating from the NHTSA it might be one of the best options if you're looking for an SUV. Not to mention, it gets 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
8. 2008 Hyundai Sonata
Humble yet sharp in style, this midsize sedan is considered a large car by the Environmental Protection Agency because there's so much room in the interior, according to KBB. One of the Sonata's selling points is that it comes with a slew of great safety features, including active front head restraints, electronic stability control and an air purification system that self-activates when it senses too many air pollutants, such as diesel fumes. It has a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and the V-6 engine gets up to 30 mpg on the highway.
"The Sonata comes with a slew of great safety features."
9. 2007 Honda Fit
A very compact car with adjustable seats, the Fit might be a perfect option for a grad with his own style. It has an interesting look that took Americans by surprise when it made its debut in 2006, but has since become a popular model among small cars. Don't let the size fool you – with adjustable seats, the Fit can hold up to 41.9 cubic feet of cargo if you really know to pack it in there. That might even be room enough for everything your grad needs to take to college. With five-star front and rear impact ratings from the NHTSA and an average of 38 mpg on the highway – the best mileage on this list – you can't go wrong.
10. 2006 Mini Cooper S
People didn't know what to make of the Mini Cooper when it first showed up on American streets. Thanks to movies like The Italian Job, the compact British car has earned its place in the hearts of auto fanatics and Sunday drivers alike. It has a style all of its own that's sure to attract attention for your grad as he cruises around campus. With a four-star overall safety rating form the NHTSA and up to 33 mpg on the highway, this is a great option for a grad that just wants something different.