There are numerous reasons to purchase a used car instead of one that is brand-new. Let’s say that you’re looking for your teenager’s first vehicle and you know that at some point they’re going to be involved in some type of accident. In a case such as this, buying a used car just makes more sense. New cars also experience most of their depreciation in the first two years, so if you buy a car that is one to two years old, you can save yourself a lot of money. Finally, some makes and models offer a lot of reliability, which means that you can buy them when they’re a few years old and they’ll still last for many additional years.
Regardless of the reason you’ve decided to buy your car used, you may wonder beforehand which makes and models are the smartest options for you to purchase. Don’t worry, though, because below are ten cars that are actually best when you buy them used and not new.
1. Toyota Camry
This one is no surprise. Camrys tend to hold their value for a very long time and stay on the road for decades. In fact, many of them last past the 250,000-mile mark, so you’ll have very little maintenance involved when you own one. Because they are low-maintenance and extremely dependable, you can buy one that’s several years old or older and still keep it for many years to come. They may have a price that is higher than you’d like it to be, but they’re worth it once you consider how long they’ll last.
2. Kia Rio
The Rio is a good used car because it doesn’t cost much when brand new and because it lasts for a very long time after you purchase it. This vehicle is also a hatchback, which tends to be less expensive than compact SUVs and less in demand than crossover SUVs, making them very affordable even though they last for a while. It’s a great low-maintenance vehicle that is smart to purchase as a used vehicle.
3. Toyota Sienna
When you want a car that will last, you can’t beat a Toyota. And even though this van may still have remnants of previous child occupants in it, you can clean it up and it’ll be all ready to serve you for another few years — or decades. Not only is buying this van a good idea, but it’s also perfect for a growing family. Even if you buy a Sienna that is ten years old, you’ll still be able to enjoy it for many more years to come.
4. Hyundai Sonata
One of the reasons why the Hyundai Sonata is such a good car to purchase is because the company offers a generous five-year, 60,000-mile warranty. This means that if you purchase a used Sonata, it is very likely the vehicle will still be under that warranty. And because the price of a brand-new Sonata is reasonable, you can usually get one of these cars under four years old for around $10,000 less than the original price, making it extremely affordable for everyone. It offers both reliability and a cheap price for anyone looking for a good used car.
5. Ford Focus
And before you think that only foreign automobiles are on this list, the Ford Focus is yet another vehicle that is perfect for buying used. Some of the perks of this car include the fact that the parts are readily available whenever the car needs maintenance, and if you choose one made between 2008 and 2011, you likely can get it for around $5000 or less. This makes it a great car for people on a budget.
6. Volvo XC90
Luxury vehicles can lose a lot of their value in a short period of time, but not so with Volvo. The XC90 keeps roughly 40% of its value after 12 years, and it’s also one of the safest vehicles on the road today. It has had fewer recalls than most other luxury SUVs and provides families with a great way to get a safe, inexpensive, and luxurious vehicle that won’t break the bank.
7. Honda Civic
In almost every list that you find of the most reliable cars, the Honda Civic is usually right there at the top, and there’s a reason for this. Even if you buy a Civic that is ten years old, you’ll still likely get a lot of use out of it because most of them last well past the 300,000-mile mark. You can choose from a sedan, a coupe, or even a hybrid. It’s very possible to get a good Civic with a lot of kick left for $5000 or less.
8. Nissan Altima
The Altima has been ranked the number-one used car costing under $15,000, and between style, functionality, and affordability, this is a great used vehicle for numerous reasons. If you check under the hood, you’ll see a 182 HP, 2.5-liter engine that truly packs a punch; besides, this is a great-looking vehicle that you’ll look forward to owning for many more years.
9. Honda Fit
Some people have never heard of the Fit, but it’s a great car that is well made, fun to drive, and very affordable. And when it comes to retaining its value, the Honda Fit is second to none. Even better, the sportiness of this car makes it a great car for your teenager, even though it still has four doors and lots of space on the inside. It is a great used car for many reasons, in other words.
10. Subaru Outback
There are many reasons to choose the Subaru Outback for your next used car. It is a rough and sturdy vehicle, and it comes with all-wheel drive that makes it very versatile as well as safe. The car is low-cost and low-maintenance, so even if you choose to get one that is ten years old or even older, you can usually count on keeping it around for a very long time. In addition to all of this, the Outback is also voted one of the best cars to buy new.
