Back To School Cars 2008 Whether school is across town or on the other side of the country, the beginning of a new academic year often necessitates the purchase of a new (or used) car. As any parent will tell you, the most important factors to consider when picking out a new set of wheels in conjunction with a new slate of classes are affordability, reliability, practicality and safety. Most students, however, would likely trade all those attributes for a heavier helping of cool and fast.

Fortunately for all involved, it keeps getting easier and easier to have it all. In addition to a full warranty, the latest safety and technology advancements and perfect paint, entry-level new cars continue to provide more for less. You can save even more money with used cars, which are more reliable than ever.

All of the new cars on this year's Back-to-School list feature starting New Car Blue Book Values of less than $18,000, along with ding-free doors and immaculate interiors. (Values listed are for the lowest-priced entry in each model's lineup. All New Car Blue Book Values reflect transaction prices during the last week in July 2008.)

All of the used cars named have a Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value -- the asking price you can expect from a dealer, from which you can negotiate downward -- of less than $12,000. (For each model, we selected the most recent model year available for less than $12,000, priced using mileage commensurate with each car's age. We chose 2004 as the earliest qualifying model year.)

Here, in alphabetical order, are Kelley Blue Book's Top 10 New and Top 10 Used Back-to-School Cars for 2008.
# 5

2008 Mazda MAZDA3

5 of 10
2008 Mazda MAZDA3
There's no doubting the significance of the RX-7 and Miata, but in some ways the MAZDA3 is the most successful car in the automaker's 38 years in America. Entering its sixth and final model year in its current skin, the MAZDA3 is as appealing today as it was its freshman year.
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Best Resale Value Awards

The Kelley Blue Book Resale Value Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in producing vehicles that best retain their value.
View This Year's Winners
Vehicles are listed alphabetically. New Car Blue Book Value represents the transaction value, or what others are paying for this car. New Car Blue Book Values are updated weekly on KBB.com. Adding optional equipment at the time of purchase will increase the price.

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