Are you looking to start flipping cars, but aren’t sure where to start? The vehicles on this list represent some of the best starting choices for those new to flipping cars.
1. Toyotas
One of the first things to know about flipping cars is that not all brands are equally easy to flip. You are bound to have a harder time flipping brands that have suffered massive reputational damage or which are rare in the area in which you are operating. That last point is especially important. If you are trying to flip cars in the UK or EU, trying to flip something as commonplace as a Peugeot or elite as an Aston Martin may seem like a good idea. Try to flip those same names in the United States, however, and unless the person is a car aficionado, they’re bound to be a bit confused. (This also underlines how important it is to know your audience when selling.)
Why mention all of this? Because Japanese cars are among the easiest to flip worldwide. No matter where you are, there is a pretty decent chance that there are plenty of Japanese cars roaming the highways and streets near you. Japanese cars tend to be highly affordable and are of reasonable to good quality, with some brands being truly excellent.
Toyotas are a good example of a brand that strikes a balance between quality, durability, and affordability, resulting in subsequent ubiquity. Everyone has heard of Toyota, and may even be familiar with and be specifically interested in certain models. For example, Toyota Corollas are popular among those looking for hybrid hatchbacks. Toyota Priuses are also popular with those looking for hybrid cars. These can be a good choice if you are looking to flip eco-smart cars and want to start with something simple. Trying to flip smaller electric cars can be a hard sell, especially in the United States. A Toyota Prius is a bit more well-known and has been reasonably well-received by clients around the world.
2. Hondas
Continuing that trend of Japanese cars being easier to flip, cars by Honda have the same upsides of affordability and ubiquity as Toyota. Here, it’s cars such as the Honda Civic and Honda Odyssey that have made their mark.
Since the early 1970s, Civics have been a fixture in Honda’s lineup and on roads all over the world. They aren’t necessarily the flashiest car in the world, but if you’re looking for a car that’s reliable and affordable, this is a good choice. What’s more, it’s the kind of car you could see someone buying from someone who isn’t an “expert.” When purchasing a high-end luxury vehicle, for example, you want to make sure the person selling it to you knows what they’re talking about and that the car is in good shape. By contrast, it’s hard to “spoil” a Honda Civic.
Meanwhile, the landscape is dotted with soccer moms taking their kids to and from practice in Honda Odysseys. They are big enough for a few eager kids and plenty of soccer equipment to be crammed inside while not becoming the big, bulky nightmare other SUVs are.
3. Classic Fords
If you are looking to flip classic cars, there are far worse places to start than with a classic Ford. One of the biggest problems with flipping classic cars, unsurprisingly, is that they can be expensive. You need to turn a profit when flipping cars, after all, and that can be hard when you’re trying to fix up and sell something that already costs you a lot to buy in the first place. By contrast, classic Fords from the mid-1960s onward tend to be among the most affordable classic cars on the resale market today. Cars like the mid-60s Ford Mustangs are noted for still having many units in good condition even decades later.
4. Classic Chevys
One of the biggest motivators of classic car sales is nostalgia. It’s true for those Ford Mustangs, and just as true for Chevys from the 1950s and early 60s. These cars exude classic Americana in a way few other models do. They embody another time, and for all of those nostalgic for its aesthetics (if not its ethics) these models can be a great investment.
That said, make no mistake – they are an investment. Cars like these and those aforementioned Mustangs will likely cost you a lot more than the other options on this list. On the other hand, they also have much higher potential for big paydays if you can restore them and find an interested buyer.
5. 70s and 80s Porsches
If you’re looking for classic cars that are a little less expensive to flip, you might consider Porsches from the 70s and 80s. These cars aren’t quite as old or rare as the 50s and 60s Fords and Chevys mentioned above. At the same time, they are now old enough to be rightfully considered “vintage,” which can help drive their prices up.
If you do decide to flip these cars, you have a decision to make. Do you try to sell them to those who were young in the 70s and 80s, and thus want part of their childhood or young adult lives back? Or do you try to market them to those who love the aesthetics of those eras but weren’t around for them? Either way, these cars represent a unique opportunity to get started in flipping vintage cars.
6. Dodge and GMC SUVs
Once again, the hunger for affordable SUVs is high. The Dodge Caravan and GMC Yukon are two of the most perpetually affordable and in-demand SUVs on the market. They are both good examples of American-made cars that aren’t flashy but instead prioritize durability and size. Those are both assets that families searching for large SUVs will be on the lookout for, so if that’s your target audience for car flipping, these are some easy first purchases.
Knowing the right cars to flip can help get you off on the right foot as you put the pedal to the metal at the start of your career.
