Which are the best used cars to buy?
It’s no secret that used vehicles are better deals. A car’s value depreciates over time, making it easy to get underwater on a loan—especially if you choose a luxury vehicle. In fact, according to recent data, the average car costs 17% less after one year.
New vehicles are also overall more expensive due to inflation and other high costs. Specifically, if you want that classic new car smell, you should expect a hefty price tag of $50,000, on average. Luckily, if you’re looking to buy a car, you can find great deals on used ones and save some serious cash.
The cost of a used car is $27,000 on average, which is more manageable, even in a market that has interest rates falling just under 12%. Here are some of the best used cars you should consider instead of purchasing a brand-new one!
1. Toyota Prius
Toyota introduced the Prius model to the US market in 2000, and it was the first factory-assembled hybrid car available in the country. Like other Toyota vehicles, the Prius has a loyal following, especially because these environmentally friendly cars are roomy and boast several convenient characteristics.
They’re also some of the best used cars, and the 2020 model stands out because of its great mileage and higher-than-average reliability rating. If you’re interested in purchasing one, the average price is $24,312.
Be wary of 2010 or 2011 models, though, as these have a significant number of owner complaints.
2. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is one of the SUVs that is worth buying used instead of new. Even the 2023 trims on this model have a relatively affordable price tag when compared to other SUVs. For example, the 2023 MSRP is $25,795.
Better yet, as one of the best used cars, it gets a 31.6% depreciation after the first year, which is nothing to scoff at.
On the 2023 model, the basic trim comes standard with lane departure warnings and hill assist. These are two features that aren’t necessarily standard in older models. You may be lucky to find them, but as with all used vehicles, the range of features depends largely on available inventory.
Overall, this is one of the best used cars available on the market right now.
3. BMW 2 Series
The BMW 2 Series is a sporty luxury vehicle that first hit the market in 2014. All in all, it’s been a fairly reliable car—the number of owners who complained about it tends to be lower than other cars.
According to Carfax, 92% of the BMW 2 Series the organization has in its records have a verified service history, and more than half of the cars have belonged to one owner and have never been in a crash.
Cars in the 2019 model year boast high satisfaction ratings from owners, making them some of the best used cars available right now on the market. You may want to avoid the 2017 and 2021 model years, which have the lowest owner satisfaction.
4. Infiniti Q50
Sometimes, some of the best used cars are the ones you don’t expect to be in good shape after a year or several years of usage. The Infiniti Q50 is one of them. The 2023 model year, which is the most basic trim delivered by Infiniti, has some great standard features, including lane departure warnings and good fuel economy for a luxury sedan.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2023 Infiniti Q50 is $42,650. The good news is that similar used trims are about $16,000 less than their new counterparts. Furthermore, used models are also relatively cheaper than the Q60, which is also among the list of vehicles that depreciate the most.
5. Honda Accord
Another option on the best used cars list is the Honda Accord, which holds a special spot in automotive history. It was the first car built in the US by a Japanese automaker when it was launched here in 1982. Americans loved it, and it was the best-selling vehicle in the country between 1989 and 1991 and then between 2013 and 2015.
Owners praise the car’s excellent gas mileage, reliability, handling on the road, and roomy interior. Moreover, experts consider the Accord to be one of the best used cars someone can purchase. According to them, the 2019 model is generally a good find, while the 2003 and 2008 models have the highest number of owner complaints.
The average price for a used Honda Accord is $16,781.
6. Mercedez-Benz GLA
The Mercedez-Bens GLA is also among the best used cars currently on the market. While it has a relatively high level of depreciation, it may not be the easiest vehicle to purchase if you want to save a substantial amount of money.
Based on used models listed on websites like KBB and Edmunds (both are quite reliable), the actual savings off a new GLA may only be a couple of thousand—as compared to the reported average savings of about $13,000.
The basic trim for the 2023 model year has a wide range of standard safety features, like brake assist. Older models may have kept these optional, so make sure your used vehicle has the features you need.
Speaking of safety, here’s an emergency kit every driver needs to have in their car!
7. Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang appeared on the market in 1965, making it the oldest model on this list. Its engine rumble and distinctive style have appealed to generations of fans, and its lengthy history means you have lots of style options when picking the original pony car.
The 2014 model year is one of the best used cars for many drivers, as it was the final year in the production run that launched the Coyote engine. If you fall in love with an older Mustang, make sure you have it thoroughly inspected, as drivers often push these vehicles to their limits.
According to experts, the 2005, 2006, and 2010 models have been problematic for some owners, with lots of complaints.
8. Nissan Sentra
The basic 2023 Nissan Sentra has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $19,950. But because of the wide selection of optional features, it’s not difficult to find used models that cost more than their basic new counterparts.
Similar to other best used cars in the non-luxury segment, the Nissan Sentra sees a relatively decent amount of depreciation after the first year. However, you should only expect to save around $6,000 off the MSRP between cars with similar features.
Rearview monitors, Bluetooth, and blind spot warnings are all standard on the 2023 model. Not all of these features were standard on previous models, so it’s important to carefully browse used vehicle inventories to find one with your preferred characteristics.
9. Honda Civic
If you’re looking for a used car that’s safe, fun to drive, and won’t break the bank, the Honda Civic may be exactly what you need. Not only do these vehicles have great reliability ratings, but they also get pretty good gas mileage.
At just over $13,000, a 2014 Civic is an excellent buy. It has a great reliability score and has earned top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In other words, it’s one of the best used cars available right now on the market.
You may want to steer clear of the 2006 and 2016 models since there have been a number of complaints from their owners. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported issues with cracked engine blocks in the 2006 model.
If you liked our article on the best used cars, you may also want to read 9 Used Cars You Should Stay Away from in 2024.
