Edmunds.com’s least-expensive compact pre-owned cars

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With the economy in flux and gas still about $4 a gallon, more buyers are forgoing new vehicles in favor of those that are ‘new-to-you.’ The big gets are the certified pre-owneds — used cars with warranties and service benefits. To help eliminate some of the guesswork, automotive information site Edmunds.com has compiled a list of what it considers the five best 3-year-old and 1-year-old small cars.

Click on the photos below to see which models made the cut, plus their EPA fuel economy, available transmissions and engines, and Edmunds’ True Market Value pricing. According to Edmunds, the TMV takes into account ‘dealer inspection and reconditioning costs, the cost of providing a manufacturer warranty, and the cost of additional benefits provided by certain manufacturers, such as roadside assistance and loaner vehicles.’

2007’s top 5 certified pre-owned vehicles

2005’s top 5 certified pre-owned vehicles

—Whitney Friedlander