The best used cars to buy if you are a teacher

If you are a teacher, the first thing you probably think about is getting to school on time. You also probably want a used car that is fuel efficient and not very expensive, and that will store your sports equipment and groceries. We appreciated…

If you are a teacher, the first thing you probably think about is getting to school on time. You also probably want a used car that is fuel efficient and not very expensive, and that will store your sports equipment and groceries. We've rated several compact (or smaller) vehicles and picked five that we think will suit you best.

• Smart ForTwo Coupe: Here's proof that good things do come in small packages. If you're a loner, you probably don't need anything else and you'll appreciate the outstanding gas mileage you get with Smart ForTwo. Teachers who live in the city will love the fact that parallel parking is not a problem. You don't carry much gear in this car, but your duffel bag and groceries shouldn't be a problem.

• Toyota Yaris three-door hatchback: If you want to take a passenger or three from time to time, you can do it in the Yaris. You'll probably pay a little more for a used Yaris than you would for a Smart ForTwo, but you get a lot more cargo space and we're really amazed at how much legroom this little deal has.

• Hyundai Accent three-door hatchbackA: The new Accent is pretty cheap compared to similar cars in its class, so you can get a really good deal on a used model. It's also a very comfortable ride. The only downside is that insurance usually costs more than other small cars.

• Nissan Versa: Nissan Versa is one of the cheapest used cars. It is also available in a huge range of trim levels. If you're looking for a really inexpensive ride, look for the base model - it has a manual transmission, no radio, and no power features. However, if you want a little more comfort, higher trim levels will deliver the goods.

• Kia Soul: Over the past few years, Kia has focused on vehicles that are not only affordable, but also stylish and fun to drive. It's available in a variety of trims, and for our money, it's one of the most attractive and comfortable cars in its class.

Most teachers have a limited budget, but they need a reliable car so you won't be late for school. In terms of reliability and economy, these are the five vehicles that will best suit the teacher.